A reader asks: I bought a used 1998 Heritage Softail Classic with 47,000 miles. As far as I know, only mineral oil was used in this bike. I’ve heard good things about using AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50. Is there any problem with switching to synthetic oil in an older engine? Will it leak or use oil?
Our answer: It is certainly acceptable to switch to synthetic oil in an older Harley-Davidson engine. If the engine is mechanically sound, there should not be any problems. Synthetic oil can be used in older transmissions and primary chaincases as well.
Despite its age, your engine is not “adapted” to only conventional oil. It does not matter if the engine was broken-in using mineral oil. The switch to synthetic oil can take place at any time.
Once converted to synthetic oil, the motorcycle will now have improved performance on a number of fronts. AMSOIL V-Twin 20W-50 lowers friction and withstands extreme heat. Here are the improvements that our customers observe.
Lower operating temperatures
Improved throttle response
Increased gas mileage
Lower volatility which fights oil consumption
Smoother shifting when used in the transmission
Easier to find neutral when used in the primary
Will synthetic oil cause leaks or consumption in an older motorcycle engine? If the seals are sound and the engine has not had serious oil consumption problems, all should be just fine. AMSOIL V-Twin 20-W-50 has a greater resistance to volatility over regular motorcycle oil. This means less oil usage on very hot days.
In conclusion, switching to a top-tier synthetic oil like AMSOIL is the most cost-effective upgrade you can perform on your Harley-Davidson motorcycle. This is true of brand-new models or older bikes.
A reader asks: I’ve got a 2019 Harley-Davidson Street Glide with the Milwaukee-8 107 engine. When using conventional 20W-50 oil, I hear a valve ticking noise at about 2100 RPM. Will AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 cure this noise?
Our answer: Some customer feedback seems to suggest that this particular valvetrain noise disappears once they switch to AMSOIL V-Twin Synthetic 20W-50.
Please note that we haven’t personally witnessed this, nor is this a claim made by AMSOIL Inc. But this is customer feedback we have received regarding the use of AMSOIL 20W-50 in the the Milwaukee-Eight engine.
Why Would AMSOIL V-Twin Synthetic 20W-50 Make The Milwaukee-Eight Motor Run Quieter?
It would have something to do with the robust additive package in this synthetic 20W-50. AMSOIL formulated this oil to provide a powerful anti-wear barrier. This no-doubt contributes to overall smoother and quieter v-twin operation.
Another factor is that AMSOIL 20W-50 also lowers friction. Harley customers constantly comment that their engines have better throttle response than with other oils.
AMSOIL V-Twin Synthetic 20W-50 is a favorite with owners of all types of Harley-Davidson engines. We routinely hear about noticeably cooler operating temperatures and smoother performance. This AMSOIL 20W-50 is probably the most cost-effective upgrade you can make for your Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
In conclusion, the Milwaukee-Eight engine is Harley’s latest and most refined engine ever. It is designed to run considerably smoother than the Twin-Cam engine it replaced. AMSOIL V-Twin Synthetic 20W-50 can optimize this smoothness and protect your investment.
Have questions or would you like to see wholesale pricing? Contact us using the form on this page.
The 2017 Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight 107ci motorcycle engine (photo credit: cycleworld.com).
Harley Davidson is offering a brand new V-Twin engine for the 2017 model year. The “Milwaukee-Eight” is just the eighth big twin engine design in Harley’s 114 years of existence. This new engine replaces the “Twin-Cam” engine that has been in service since 1999.
Designed to resist rust and corrosion during winter storage
Highly capable for use in engine, transmission and primary chaincase
There is no better way to provide long-term protection for your Harley-Davidson engine.
Oil Filters- We offer two oil filter options that fit both the 107 and 114 Milwaukee-Eight engine.
AMSOIL EAOM134C- rich chrome finish
AMSOIL EAOM134- gloss black finish
These V-Twin oil filters feature strong construction, high-capacity and the ability to remove fine particles. The synthetic filter media removes 98.7% of particles at 20 microns (which is pretty darn fine!). This further helps with maximizing engine life. The high-capacity media holds contaminants over long intervals. You can depend on the heavy-duty construction of these filters to provide steady service over long journeys.
Correct Oil For Milwaukee-Eight Transmission and Primary Chaincase
Transmission Fluid- There are two options for the Milwaukee-Eight transmission.
Flip a coin between these two. The viscosities are similar and both provide outstanding gear protection and improved shifting. The V-Twin Synthetic Transmission Oil is specially formulated for those that prefer a dedicated transmission oil. The 20W-50 V-Twin Motorcycle Oil is designed to provide top-shelf gear protection and shifting. It has an advantage in terms of convenience and as you use the same product in all three holes.
Both are proven performers. Choose the dedicated primary fluid or the convenient V-Twin 20W-50. Either product will keep your chaincase safe and sound for many, many seasons.
Oil Capacity For Milwaukee-Eight 107 Engine, Transmission and Primary
Twin-Cooled Head Engine- 5.0 qt. (4.7L)
Oil/Air-Cooled Head Engine- 5.2 qt. (4.9L)
Transmission- 32 oz. (0.95L)
Primary Chaincase- 34 oz. (1.0L)
What Is Different About The New Milwaukee-Eight Engine?
Available in three formats. 107ci (oil-cooled heads), 107ci (liquid-cooled heads), 114ci (liquid-cooled heads)
Now has 4 valves per cylinder
Two spark plugs per head
Now has a single camshaft
Redesigned primary chaincase
Heat is managed by cooler combustion and larger cooling fins
Engines have slimmer profile.
Engines are counterbalanced and rubber-mounted to remove some (but not all) vibration
New alternator system delivers a 50% charging capacity improvement
Idle has been lowered from 1000 rpm (on Twin-Cam models) to 850 rpm
Improvements Of The New Milwaukee-Eight Over Twin-Cam Engines
Runs cooler
Run smoother with less vibration
10% more torque. Has a two to three bike-length advantage over Twin-Cam models across the power band
More fuel efficient
Puts out less emissions
Less maintenance required (no valve adjustment needed)
Improved charging capacity allows for more accessories
How Does the New Milwaukee-Eight Engine Sound?
While Harley-Davidson took away some of the vibration by way of counter-balancing and rubber-mounting, they were sure to leave a deep exhaust note. The Milwaukee-Eight may be more refined, but it still sounds like a boss. Here is a sound file of the exhaust note from the good people at Cycle World. Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight Big Twin by cycleworld
So you’ve made the decision to switch to synthetic oil in your Harley-Davidson this year. But which product should you use? We make the case that AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 V-Twin Motorcycle Oil is superior to Harley’s Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 Full Synthetic 20W-50 in both quality and price.
Our customers have raved for years how AMSOIL 20W-50 lowers operating temperatures and improves engine and transmission performance. Now let’s compare the pricing of AMSOIL V-Twin Synthetic 20W-50 with the Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 Full Synthetic 20W-50 offered by Harley-Davidson dealerships.
AMSOIL does not allow us to publicize wholesale prices. But we can show you on a percentage basis how the price of AMSOIL V-Twin Synthetic 20W-50 compares to Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 Full Synthetic 20W-50. The AMSOIL pricing data below is based on wholesale prices when purchasing a full case and meeting our free shipping threshold. Remote destinations may have extra shipping charges. Request a price list using the form on this page.
About Harley Davidson 20W-50 Oil Prices
The prices listed below for Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 Full Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil are based on suggested retail prices published by Harley-Davidson for the Canadian and US markets. Prices may vary at some Harley-Davidson dealerships.
Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 Full Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil Prices
USA- $48.95/gallon jug – $12.95/quart bottle
Canada- $63.95/gallon jug – $16.95/quart bottle
Price of Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 20W-50 Versus AMSOIL V-Twin Synthetic 20W-50
We can ship AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 V-Twin Motorcycle Oil to your door for between 28% and 33% less than the price of Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 Full Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil found at Harley-Davidson dealerships. Again, AMSOIL prices in this comparison are based on wholesale prices when purchasing a full case.
Conclusion
Coupling the many performance benefits with wholesale pricing makes AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 V-Twin Motorcycle Oil a sensational value. We often claim that AMSOIL V-Twin 20W-50 is easily the most cost-effective upgrade available for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Remarkably, when utilizing AMSOIL’s wholesale programs, the AMSOIL V-Twin 20W-50 becomes one of lowest priced synthetic 20W-50 motorcycle oils on the market.
Contact us for a wholesale price list using the form on this page and we’ll show you how easy and cost-effective it is to upgrade your Harley-Davidson motorcycle to AMSOIL V-Twin Synthetic 20W-50.
Updated for 2020. 
