SAE 50 and 60 seem to get harder to find as the years go by. There are fewer and fewer things out on the road, or field, or construction site that use straight-weight oil, much less SAE 50 or SAE 60, as our beloved Ks and Sportsters require. As demand goes down, so does supply. And price goes up.
Not only that, motor oil of any kind is expensive as shoot these days. $8 a quart is cheap! Whoda thunk?
I've been using Kendall GT1 SAE 50 in the K/XLs in the spring and fall, and Valvoline VR1 SAE 60 in the hot months. This is NOT a recommendation to use this brand of oil. This is NOT a "What's the best oil" article (although feel free to chime in with your considered opinions).
I looked on Amazon, and the only thing that came up was a seller offering $8 a quart. How many quarts would you like? NONE, thank you.
Well, it's time to change oil in the 54 KH and 70 XLCH, and it's hot (above 90 here in Virginia), so SAE 60 in indicated. NAPA sells it for $8 a quart - how many quarts would you like? NONE, thank you. Advance/CarQuest, after I called in some 'good customer' chips, would order a case (now 6 quarts to a "case") at $6.50 a quart. I bit on that (I needed oil!), and ordered 2 cases - 12 quarts.
I looked again on Amazon, and found Valvoline VR1 SAE 60 listed for $35.01/6-pack - or $5.84 a quart. I ordered four cases (24 quarts).
You may think I'm nuts for using car oil in a motorcycle (and you may be right!)
You may think I'm nuts for owning a 54 KH, a 62 XLCH, and a 70 XLCH (and you may be right!)
You may think I'm nuts for stocking up so far in advance (do you really think the price is gonna go down?).
You may think I'm nuts because you've met me, and based on firsthand knowledge...
WELL - I have 4 years of summer oil changes in the bank. And I don't even need to fill out a withdrawal slip !!!
It's July. It's hot. Whatever kind of oil you prefer, pump some fresh SAE 60 into your bike. It will purr between your legs.