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American Iron Tech-Writer Clears the Air American Iron Magazine touts itself as “For People Who Love Harley-Davidsons”. I guess that includes just about everyone! The March and April, 2000, issues were especially interesting and I thank AMSOIL Dealer Jim Gable of Goldsboro, N.C., for bringing them to my attention. Donny Peterson, author of AI’s Techline column addressed in two parts a question from a reader that I have heard many times about “. . . why my dealer is telling me not to put an SJ-rated automotive oil into my Harley? He also says that if Harley thought synthetic oil was better than fossil oil The Motor Company would recommend its use.” The two-part article is very long, but really an excellent read. Donny Petersen goes into great detail about oil additives, oil analysis, and the effects of temperature on oil, a big consideration in all motorcycle engines. He does come to some conclusions that might be startling to some: “there is nothing wrong with Harley oil, and it is a good fossil oil to run in your bike. It is just that modern marketing can be very skillful in making the consumer paranoid about using anything but the manufacturer’s suggested oil. There are better oils out there. Period.” Some additional comments: “If your Evo or Twin Cam smokes on a really hot day, Harley says it is okay to run a straight 50-weight oil, but to me this is an indication that an oil cooler is required. An alternative to an oil cooler is switching to a synthetic in extremely hot climates, which is also a good idea with winter riding in northern climates.” Donny continues “I personally have switched from fossil oils to synthetics knowing full well that the synthetics are superior after break-in has been achieved. When switching from fossil oil to Amsoil synthetic in my 1999 Road Glide, I noticed a slight increase in power and a small decrease in temperature. I view the synthetic oil as a long-term investment.” Donny Peterson's two part article can be read by clicking on the Part I and Part II links below. Then there's the response. There was considerable reader response. So much so that in the September, 2000, issue the Editor of American Iron, Chris Maida, wrote that the amount of faxes, phone calls and e-mails received from readers, oil companies, engine builders and even Harley-Davidson, had prompted him to initiate an open forum for readers. The November issue of American Iron contained the response from The Harley-Davidson Motor Company. The response addressed nine "issues" they had with Donny's articles. The full response can be read by clicking on the "Part III" link below. But the most interesting aspect of The Motor Company's response is what they do not say. They talk about additives that help conventional oil "handle" oxidative breakdown, but really don't acknowledge that synthetics provide "preventative" measures. H-D blames the oil industry for not paying attention to the motorcycle industry's needs, and generalizes about how "major oil companies" do things to save money, often shortchanging the consumer. No news there, but they avoid talking about companies like AMSOIL that go after the quality niche. Look at the Motorcycle Applications page, and you will see that AMSOIL has addressed H-D's issues. American Iron also mentions specifically great interest from readers regarding the age-old question of problems with bearing slide with synthetic oil vs. bearing roll with conventional oil. AMSOIL has addressed this, and I have long had this item addressed in the Frequently Asked Questins page.
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