Winter oil and care ?

[biking photographer]

I am going to change the oil in my Roadking Twin Cam this weekend to Putoline formula V twin 20/50, and fit a K&N filter. Apart from partly filling the filter before fitting, any observations about winter oil (grade) in a HD Twin Cam engine. I have winterised the bodywork and wheels (took ages) very carefully with ACF and waxoyl, and I have a good regime of cleaning and drying with a bike dryer. Any bits that rot easily (like the areas around the bolts on a bmw boxer front engine cover), or does it all dissolve in the salt! I really enjoy out of season biking.

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

It's probably irrelavent Jon, it won't bloody start anyway..................

 

[Melch]

I am going to change the oil in my Roadking Twin Cam this weekend to Putoline formula V twin 20/50, and fit a K&N filter. Apart from partly filling the filter before fitting, any observations about winter oil (grade) in a HD Twin Cam engine. I have winterised the bodywork and wheels (took ages) very carefully with ACF and waxoyl, and I have a good regime of cleaning and drying with a bike dryer. Any bits that rot easily (like the areas around the bolts on a bmw boxer front engine cover), or does it all dissolve in the salt! I really enjoy out of season biking.

When I had the bike I had it set up on a dyno by Boz at Powerglides. He commented that the filter and pipe installed worked well together (I bought the exhaust from him by recommendation as he reckoned it was one of the few aftermarket pipes that actually works. The difference before and after the dyno set up was very noticeable (for the positive).

I would really not recommend changing the filter personally as it will most likely bugger things up IMO. If you are worried about water getting into the filter just put the rain sock/cover over the filter (unless that has been lost along the way, in which case I would imagine they are available separately).

 

[jackassdave]

i think the rain sock got lost somewhere as i could not find it when i sold the bike ,i will have another look around though

 

[Deleted account 240901001]

When I had the bike I had it set up on a dyno by Boz at Powerglides. He commented that the filter and pipe installed worked well together (I bought the exhaust from him by recommendation as he reckoned it was one of the few aftermarket pipes that actually works. The difference before and after the dyno set up was very noticeable (for the positive).

I would really not recommend changing the filter personally as it will most likely bugger things up IMO. If you are worried about water getting into the filter just put the rain sock/cover over the filter (unless that has been lost along the way, in which case I would imagine they are available separately).

Now ...I wonder why he claimed it was one of the few systems that worked................
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[biking photographer]

I would really not recommend changing the filter personally as it will most likely bugger things up IMO. If you are worried about water getting into the filter just put the rain sock/cover over the filter (unless that has been lost along the way, in which case I would imagine they are available separately).[/QUOTE]

Hi Melch, I was very surprised how smooth and powerful the engine feels when I first rode the bike home. Boz did a superb job setting it up. Sorry I should have posted K&N oil filter, as I have no intention of changing anything on the bike. I like it just the way it is. The only reason I mentioned the brand of oil and oil filter is that I know the plastic tensioners on the twin cam can break down, so that regular oil changes and decent quality filters should protect the engine top end. Just trying to get some advice really. Do I need the rain sock for the air filter, is it worth buying a new one? You know this bike really well Melch, I will take your advice.

 

[jackassdave]

rain sock for rain i will have another look around to see if i can find it ,however i have found the touch up paint for the bike and i will post it as soon as i can ,i expect it wont be coming out for a while though

 

[twizzle]

I may have a rain shock for your style of airfilter, i had the same on my Buell..... i'll have a rummage if i can find it you can have it..

 

[biking photographer]

Socks for Christmas

Aw, thanks fellas. If you can both find one it looks like I might get a pair for Christmas. What would you guys like? Christmas jumper, bobble caps? Sorry, I couldn't resist that, but if either can find one I would be very grateful. I guess an Asda size 9 thermal sock won't do the job? I have one left that matches the bike.

 

[biking photographer]

rain sock for rain i will have another look around to see if i can find it ,however i have found the touch up paint for the bike and i will post it as soon as i can ,i expect it wont be coming out for a while though

Thanks Dave, I like it soooo much, I am going to have ride it in the winter when we get a sunny day. I promise I will clean it thoroughly when I have finished though!

 

[Melch]

Hi Melch, I was very surprised how smooth and powerful the engine feels when I first rode the bike home. Boz did a superb job setting it up. Sorry I should have posted K&N oil filter, as I have no intention of changing anything on the bike. I like it just the way it is. The only reason I mentioned the brand of oil and oil filter is that I know the plastic tensioners on the twin cam can break down, so that regular oil changes and decent quality filters should protect the engine top end. Just trying to get some advice really. Do I need the rain sock for the air filter, is it worth buying a new one? You know this bike really well Melch, I will take your advice.

Sorry, my mistake, I saw the 'K&N' in your post and automatically assumed you meant the air filter as that is what sprang to mind. I didn't find the sock made much difference to be honest and I never suffered any misfiring when caught in rain without it so I am not sure I would worry too much.

Also to put your mind at rest re. the cam chain tensioners – I checked them towards the end of my ownership of the bike and there was negligible wear on them (virtually none) so you should be good to go for another 20K miles I would have thought (if it was mine though I think I would check every 10K for my own peace of mind). It isn't a difficult job apart from one being a bit awkward to see (you'll need a small dentists type mirror) There is a walkthrough type thread with pics on the HDRCGB website of how to do it.

 

[Melch]

Now ...I wonder why he claimed it was one of the few systems that worked................
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One of the few systems that worked and wasn't all 'look at me' noisy (which limits your choice enormously with aftermarket Harley pipes. I was also limited due to the cutouts on the stretched panniers. It had to be 2 into 2 as opposed to 2 into 1). He sold lots of brands of pipe including V&H etc (of which he commented that the finish nowadays on V&H was abysmal). The one I bought was not the most expensive. He came across as a pretty straight up fella and incredibly knowledgable about HD engine tuning. I was happy to take his advice after lengthy discussions about the pros and cons of various pipes.

So in a nutshell

 

[biking photographer]

Thanks Melch, that is certainly good to know. I do really love that bike as you put it together- you have got excellent taste.

 

[Melch]

Thanks Melch, that is certainly good to know. I do really love that bike as you put it together- you have got excellent taste.

Thank you Sir!

 

[Tricky]

rain sock for rain i will have another look around to see if i can find it ,however i have found the touch up paint for the bike and i will post it as soon as i can ,i expect it wont be coming out for a while though

How sloppy of you.

This guy could surely teach you a lesson or two.

 

[Melch]

How sloppy of you.

This guy could surely teach you a lesson or two.

I seem to have opened a can of worms with my thinly veiled accusations of JD's forgetful, shoddy and frankly negligent behaviour. You've let yourself down Dave and you've let the group down.

 

[Steptoe]

If the K&N oil filter is anything like the ones i've encountered while working on BMW's i'd steer well clear of the fecking things. The cases are as soft as feck and usually distort instead of undoing when it's time to remove them .

 

[twizzle]

And my dog.... He is fuckin gutted... Tbh if he forgot that, well what else has been forgotten???

 

[Magwych]

I ran a FXDX through 4 winters using SDOC-100 protector, it was surprising how well it cleaned up each spring. Painted parts like the battery cover and air filter cover peeled in no time, but the quality of paint was so poor, it would likely have happened after a summer shower...
I had a carburettor model, once the temperatures got down below 6degC it would ice up and cough, spit and die regularly. HD sold a winter fule additive to avoid it, but the Mikuni carb upgrade solved it immediately.

Here she is in the basement of BMW Park Lane with 85,000 miles, where I PX'ed it for my first GS:

To answer your question regarding oil, I ran it on 20/50 summer and winter. At handover, I had put the original exhaust pipes back on, and after riding the 60 miles to Park lane in London it sounded like a sewing machine.

Ride it, and enjoy it.

 

[biking photographer]

If the K&N oil filter is anything like the ones i've encountered while working on BMW's i'd steer well clear of the fecking things. The cases are as soft as feck and usually distort instead of undoing when it's time to remove them .

Changed the oil and filter this afternoon. The K&N oil filter seemed really well made, packaged with a protective film over the open side, and fitted with a wrench point which meant I could torque it up correctly rather than guessing. That will also make it very easy to remove.