CAMP ALPHA Look here
- Code: Select all
58 Special Light = SAE 20
75 Medium Heavy = SAE 40
105 Regular Heavy = SAE 60
CAMP BETA Look here
- Code: Select all
58 Special Light = SAE 40
75 Medium Heavy = SAE 50
105 Regular Heavy = SAE 60
Before you jump to conclusions, let's look at Harley's published Recommendations
1952 K Rider Handbook
- Code: Select all
Light +10 or colder
Medium Heavy +10 to +32
Regular Heavy Above 32
1948-1957 Panhead Rigid Service Manual
- Code: Select all
Special Light Below 10
Medium Heavy Above 10
Regular Heavy Not specified
1959 Duo-Glide Service Manual
- Code: Select all
Special Light Below 32
Medium Heavy 32 to 75
Regular Heavy Above 75, extreme service any temp
1969 Sportster Service Manual AND 1959-1969 Electra-Glide Service Manual
- Code: Select all
Special Light Below 40
Medium Heavy Above 40
Regular Heavy Severe Operating Conditions at high air temp
When I looked at oil cans on eBay, I found several AMF and late-but-pre-AMF cans that had both the Harley and SAE numbers on top of the cans. Several had 105 and SAE 60, one had 75 and SAE 40. One AMF can of Premium had the 1959 Duo-Glide recommendations printed on the back, and a same-era can of PreLuxe had the 1969 Sportster recs. Older cans only had the Harley number, so there's no way to tell.
I have some questions:
Does anyone have a big oil can collection? Any info we're missing?
Did 1950 and earlier Harley riders have fewer nerve endings than 1960 and later riders? How come there's no recommendation for 10 degrees and below for later bikes?
Harley definitely changed the oil manufacturer and formulation over the years, but is it possible that an early can of 58 or 75 might have a different SAE rating than a later can of the same Harley number?
I'm using SAE 60 in the summer and SAE 50 spring and fall - K and Sportster. We've had some sunny days of 88 degrees lately, and it was time for an oil change, so yesterday I filled it with SAE 60, even though it is still May. Went for a ride and when I got back, the oil tank was noticeably cooler than previous days. Did the more viscous oil make it run cooler?