AMSOIL Synthetic 20w-50 Motorcycle Oil (MCV)
Harley Davidson use SAE 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil (MCV)
Why Amsoil? The fact is that Harley Davidson, like so many other "brands" of oil, contract with one
or more oil companies to make their lubricants. Often, the decision as to who actually makes a private labeled
product is based on low bid, and like almost everything manufactured by a low bidder, short cuts are taken in order
to meet the low price.
One of the most common questions we are asked is what is the recommended transmission lube for
Harley-Davidson, both big twins and Sportsters?
The answer is for 883cc and 1200cc Sportster motorcycles, the AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil is recommended
for both the engine and transmission. On 1340cc and 1450cc models, the 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil is recommended for the
engine crankcase, Series 2000 75W-90 Gear Lube for the transmission and the 10W-40 Motorcycle Oil for the
chaincase.
Flathead
Best
Secondary
Engine AHR
MCV
Transmission SVT SVO
Knucklehead Best
Secondary
Engine
AHR MCV
Transmission SVT
SVO
Panhead
Best
Secondary
Engine AHR MCV
Transmission SVT SVO
Shovelhead Best Secondary
Engine AHR
MCV
Transmission SVT SVO
Evolution 1340 -Twin Cam - Revolution Best Secondary
Engine
MCV -- --
Transmission
MCV
SVT
Primary Chain
Case
MCV
MCF
Ironhead - Evolution Sportsters / V-Rods Best Secondary
Engine, Transmission / Chain Case
MCV - - -
-
| 99880-73 Type B fork oil |
STM #10 Suspension Fluid |
| 99884-80 Type E fork oil |
STM #10 Suspension Fluid |
SAE 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCV)
High Performance Lubricant for Engines, Transmissions and Primary Chaincases
API SG, SL/CF; JASO MA/MA2; API GL-1
Package sizes include:
1-Quart Bottle
1-Quart Bottles (case of 12)
1-Gallon Bottle
1-Gallon Bottles (case of 4)
30-Gallon Drum
55-Gallon Drum
AMSOIL Recommended Oils For Harley Davidson Motorcycles
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil (MCV) is a premium oil designed for those who demand the absolute best
lubrication for their motorcycles. AMSOIL MCV is the result of extensive research, and it is specially formulated
to excel in all areas unique to motorcycles, including high temperatures of air-cooled engines such as Harley
Davidson® V-Twin, wet clutch lubrication, extreme pressure regions of gears and chains and rust common to short
trips and storage.
AMSOIL MCV is multi-functional and fulfills the requirements of both domestic and foreign motorcycles. It
outperforms other conventional and synthetic motorcycle oils.
AMSOIL, the leader in synthetic lubrication, produced the world’s first API qualified synthetic motor oil in 1972.
Trust the extensive experience of AMSOIL The First in Synthetics® to do the best job protecting your
motorcycle.
Reduces Friction, Heat and Wear
In high heat conditions, engine protection is not sacrificed with AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil. It has the best
high temperature film strength (see High Temperature Viscosity Protection graph below) of all oils tested and
contains a heavy treatment of anti-wear additives to reduce wear regardless of the operating conditions (see Wear
Comparison graph on reverse). AMSOIL MCV is thermally (heat) stable and contains maximum levels of oxidation
inhibitor additives. It is extremely resistant to breakdown and engineered to prevent damaging sludge and carbon
deposits for superior engine cleanliness.
20W-50 Motorcycle Oil
High Temperature Viscosity Protection
Higher values reflect better film strength
ASTM Test Method D-4683 March 16, 2005
20W-50 Motorcycle Oil
Wear Comparison
ASTM Test Method D-4172 March 16, 2005
Provides Extreme Pressure Quality Protection for Gears and Chains
With AMSOIL MCV, there is no need for separate transmission or primary chaincase lubricants. It is
absolutely shear stable and will not thin out from mechanical activity. AMSOIL MCV performs like a gear lube
without the negative effects of extreme pressure additives. In the FZG gear test, AMSOIL MCV achieved a perfect
score with a “zero” wear rating (see photo below).
FZG Gear Test (ASTM D-5182)
AMSOIL 20W-50 (MCV)
FZG Gear Test (ASTM D-5182)
Motul 300V 15W-50
Delivers Superior Rust Protection
Motorcycles are prone to rust from storage, humidity and short drives. Rust can cause major damage such as
roller bearing failure, uncontrolled wear, compression loss and blow-by. Good rust protection, however, comes by
design and is not natural to engine oils. Unlike many motorcycle oils, AMSOIL MCV contains special anti-rust
agents. It passes the ASTM D-1748 humidity cabinet rust test and clearly demonstrates superior rust protection (see
photos below).
Rust Test ASTM D-1748AMSOIL 20W-50 (MCV) 
Rust Test ASTM D-1748
Castrol GPS 20W-50
Provides Excellent Wet Clutch
Performance
AMSOIL MCV contains no friction modifiers and promotes smooth shifting and positive clutch engagement. AMSOIL MCV
controls heat and prevents slippage and glazing, and its high TBN resists acids that can degrade clutch material,
helping improve clutch life.
APPLICATIONS
AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil is
recommended for air or liquid cooled 4-stroke engines. It meets SAE 90, API GL-1 gear oil requirements and is
recommended for transmissions and primary chaincases. AMSOIL MCV is recommended for Harley Davidson®, Buell®, KTM,
Ducati®, Aprilia®, BMW®, Triumph® and other motorcycles where 15W-50 or 20W-50 engine oils or SAE 90, GL-1 gear
oils are used. Not recommended where an API GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil is required.
MIXING AMSOIL
AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil is compatible with conventional and synthetic motor oils; however, mixing
oils may shorten the oil life expectancy and reduce the performance benefits. AMSOIL does not support extended
drain intervals where oils have been mixed.
Aftermarket oil additives are not recommended for use with AMSOIL motorcycle oil.
SERVICE LIFE
Recommended for use up to twice the motorcycle
manufacturer change interval (miles/hours) or one year, whichever comes first, in engines, transmissions and
primary chaincases. For Big Twin Harley-Davidson transmissions only, follow the Harley-Davidson recommended drain
interval for synthetic oil of up to 20,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first. When using an engine filter
other than AMSOIL Ea, change the filter at standard intervals.
For “off-road” use, change AMSOIL MCV at motorcycle manufacturer intervals.
Racing or modified engines are excluded from extended drain interval recommendations. Oil changes are at the
owner’s discretion.
TYPICAL TECHNICAL PROPERTIES
SAE 20W-50
Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCV)
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt (ASTM D-445) 20.1
Kinematic Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt (ASTM D-445) 151.98
Viscosity Index (ASTM D-2270) 153
Pour Point °C (°F) (ASTM D-97) -39 (-38)
Flash Point °C (°F) (ASTM D-92) 240 (464)
High Temperature/High Shear Viscosity @ 150°C , 1.0 x 106 s-1 (ASTM D 4683), cP 6.02
Four Ball Wear Test (ASTM D-4172 @ 40 kgf, 150°C, 1800 rpm, 1 hour), Scar in mm 0.40
FZG (ASTM D-5182), Load Stage Pass (Wear in mm) 13 (0mm)
Noack Volatility, % weight loss (g/100g) (ASTM D-5800) 3.89
Foam (ASTM D-892, Sequence I, II & III) 0/0/0
Shear Stability Kurt Orbahn (ASTM D-6278), % viscosity change 120 cycles 0.25
Rust Test - Humidity Cabinet (ASTM D-1748) No Rust, Pass
Total Base Number 11
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