68 / American Iron / Issue #379 AIMag.com
HOG HELPLINETo submit a question to our H-D-certified mechanic, who has been working in dealerships for over 20 years, send in as much info about
the problem and bike as possible to Hog Helpline, c/o American Iron Magazine, 1010 Summer St., Stamford, CT 06905, or e-mail
[email protected]. Sorry, but due to volume, we cannot respond to requests for personal replies or to all letters.4
Since I’m not an “oil engineer” as some on the inter-
net forums claim to be, I have a question regarding
engine oil. I normally stick with Amsoil 20/50 engine
oil in my ’05 FLHTC, H-D Formula Plus in the transmis-
sion and primary.
At 26,000 miles (in 2010), I installed the SE hydraulic
upgrade kit. I recently changed the oil with Amsoil before
leaving Ontario, Canada, for a long-distance trip. After
accumulating 4,500
miles, we stopped
in Flaming Gorge,
Wyoming, for an oil
change. The shop only
had SYN 3. Filled her
up and everything was
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checked it myself the
next day.
Wandering a few
more weeks in your
amazing county, I had
some real nasty noise
coming from my cam
side. Long story short,
we ended up in Zion
Harley-Davidson (A great shop!) in Utah. The bike had a
cam bearing failure (at 130,000 miles). Nothing the people
at Zion or money couldn’t cure. Another new SE hydraulic
kit installed, SYN 3, and back on the road again, heading
for home.
Now my oil question. Was it going from Amsoil to Syn
3 that caused my bearing failure or was it coincidence? At
130,000 miles, did the bearing just wear out? I do believe
both oils are quality liquids.Tom Anguish
Ontario, Canada$
I really don’t think the change in brands of oil
had anything to do with the failure of your cam
bearing, Tom. Are those the original cam bear-
ings or were they changed at 26,000 miles with the cam
plate upgrade kit? Either way, that’s a lot of miles on
that engine, and I’m pretty sure the bearing would have
failed even if the shop put fresh Amsoil in. Coincidence
is the right word.
I like to hear stories like this, Tom. You’re out thereenjoying your Harley-Davidson as
it was meant to be, a motorcycle
to stack up the miles on! It’s also
a testament to the value of regular
service. It can’t be stated too many
times how important regular and
frequent oil changes are. Metal de-
bris, combustion deposits, and acids
formed in the oil can do major dam-
age and greatly reduce the life of
your engine. Yes, parts can and will
fail at times, but the fact that the
only thing that failed over all those
miles was a cam bearing is proof of
the value of clean oil.
There are many, many different
brands, types, and prices of engine
oil for your Harley. Everyone has an
opinion about the right or best one.
My opinion is, whichever one you
like, use it, but change it frequently.
Harley says its synthetic oil can
go 5,000 miles between changes. I
agree that the oil will last that long
without breaking down from wear or
heat, but the dirt and debris I spoke
of above is still there. The oil is de-
signed to keep that in suspension so
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any damage, but I just feel better
about changing it at 2,500 miles. I
still feel it’s cheap insurance even at
the price of a dealership oil change.4
I have a question about my
1993 Fat Boy. I have about
43,000 miles on it, and it is
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EHWZHHQJHDUV,ßQGRFFDVLRQDOO\
that I really have to stomp the shift
lever to get it to change. My linkage all
ORRNVJRRGDQGLWVHHPVWRJRLQWRßUVW
gear alright. The problem seems to be
mostly going into second or third. Do
you think I need to pull the tranny?
Bennett MacKarrol
Clayville, NYCam Bearing
Failure & Sticky Shifting