This blog is dedicated to information to improve Performance and MPG (miles per gallon) as well as the latest news in the Automotive and Transportation industries.
Extreme heat can be a big problem for the engine of a vehicle. This week’s Tech Tip is all about cooling fan systems and how they help prevent your engine from overheating.
AMSOIL Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil is specially formulated to excel in all areas unique to motorcycles, including the high temperatures of air-cooled engines, like V-Twins.
• 2019 Harley-Davidson* Street Bob* • Milwaukee-Eight* 107 c.i. engine • 1,000 miles on engine dyno • 300ºF (149ºC) oil temperature • 421ºF (216ºC) max. cylinder temperature
Extreme heat is the biggest enemy for a powerful air-cooled V-twin engine, like those found on most Harley-Davidson* motorcycles. In fact, when designing its latest V-twin engine platform – the Milwaukee Eight* – Harley asked riders what they wanted from its newest engine. Two themes emerged: more power and less heat.
Extreme heat can ruin your ride
Some riders have complained about intense heat radiating from the engine while riding, particularly the rear cylinder, which doesn’t receive as much airflow as the front cylinder.
Extreme heat not only challenges rider comfort, it challenges the engine.
If, for example, heat causes the piston to expand beyond acceptable tolerances, it can rub against the cylinder wall and cause scuffing.
Heat also causes some oils to thin and lose viscosity. The oil can become so thin the engine loses oil pressure, causing the oil-pressure gauge to bottom out.
Riding conditions turn up the heat
V-twin heat becomes especially problematic when riding on hot summer days in conditions that limit airflow over the engine, such as in slow-moving parade or rally traffic. In extreme cases, the bike’s electronic temperature controls shut down the bike if it gets too hot.
Oil-cooled Milwaukee-Eight engine
Harley introduced its Milwaukee-Eight engine in 2016 in part to reduce extreme heat and enhance rider comfort. The engine uses a system of oil-filled cooling jackets surrounding the cylinders to reduce heat. The oil absorbs heat and carries it to a small oil cooler, where it dissipates into the atmosphere.
1,000-mile dyno test
To test AMSOIL Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil in the latest V-twin technology, we purchased a 2019 Harley-Davidson Street Bob equipped with a 107-c.i. Milwaukee Eight engine.
We instrumented the bike and rode it on the street to establish a baseline for “real-world” operation. This confirmed that low-speed, low-airflow conditions, like stop-and-go traffic, created the most challenging conditions.
We then installed the bike on the dyno in our mechanical lab and subjected it to a 1,000-mile test designed to simulate the worst-case conditions we saw on the street. One thousand miles is enough to make 640 trips down Main Street in Sturgis.
Airflow over the engine was restricted to hold the oil-sump temperature at a steady 300ºF (149ºC). Cylinder temperature topped out at 421ºF (216ºC). In these conditions, the oil can quickly oxidize (chemically break down), which causes the viscosity to increase until it’s out of grade and no longer provides the protection the engine requires.
Extreme heat no match for AMSOIL
Following the test, we chemically analyzed the oil to measure viscosity, oxidation, total base number (TBN) and wear metals. We also examined engine parts, in addition to the compensator, for wear or distress.
As shown, AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil (MCV) provided exceptional protection. The piston skirt contains virtually no wear, while deposits are minimal given the extreme conditions. In addition, the rings still move freely for maximum compression and power. The wear surfaces on the compensator are also in excellent condition, indicating the oil provided smooth, reliable shifts.
Rear-Cylinder Piston
The rings are virtually deposit free and didn’t stick for maximum compression and power. The skirt contains minimal scuffing for long engine life.
Compensator
The wear surfaces show minimal distress, indicating the oil protected the compensator for smooth, quiet shifts.
Oil analysis results are also impressive. The oil stayed within its viscosity grade despite the extreme heat. The oil limited oxidation and retained its TBN, which is a measure of its ability to fight corrosive acids. Finally, the oil limited wear metals to trace levels, indicating its excellent level of wear protection.
New AMSOIL20W-40 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil (MVI) is formulated to provide premium
protection for Victory and model-year 2013 and newer Indian motorcycles. It is
the only full-synthetic 20W-40 motorcycle oil on the market, presenting riders
a premium alternative to Indian- and Victory-branded semi-synthetic oils.
Indian and Victory motorcycles incorporate a shared sump, and AMSOIL 20W-40 is
formulated to provide outstanding protection for engines and transmissions. It
is absolutely shear stable, keeping motorcycles well-protected even in extreme
heat conditions.
AMSOIL SyntheticV-Twin Transmission Fluid (MVT) and AMSOIL Synthetic V-Twin Primary Fluid (MVP)
are purpose-built for bikers who shy away from using a motor oil in their
motorcycles’ transmissions or primary chaincases. Their introduction
establishes secondary product recommendations in these applications, giving customers
more options and helping Dealers reach a previously inaccessible segment of the
market. The main recommendation for motorcycle transmissions and primary
chaincases remains AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil.
After 30 years, Erik Buell's drive to develop motorcycles on his own terms remains as strong as ever. That drive led
him to found Erik Buell Racing (EBR) in 2009, a company devoted to building innovative superbikes that prove
jaw-dropping performance is not exclusive to Japanese or Italian companies. Buell's pioneering attitude and commitment
to American ingenuity mirror the values of AMSOIL INC. Fittingly, the two companies entered a partnership in 2011, making AMSOIL a
sponsor of the EBR team's efforts in the AMA Pro SuperBike Series. This year the team will also compete in World
Superbike, the first time an all-American brand will compete on this world-class level.
"We are doing the very best for our customers when we ship with AMSOIL in the bikes and with a strong
recommendation that they continue to use AMSOIL
products." - Erik Buell
But the partnership goes further than sponsorships. AMSOIL personnel work hand-in-hand with EBR engineers to develop
lubrication programs that maximize the tremendous potential of EBR motorcycles. Every bike that leaves EBR's East Troy,
Wis. shop, including the new EBR 1190RX, contains AMSOIL synthetic lubricants as the factory-fill and the primary
service-fill recommendation. With peak motorcycle season starting soon and the racing season in swing, AMSOIL Magazine caught up with
Buell. AMSOIL Magazine: It's been five years since you founded EBR. What are you most proud of? Buell: The people. We started as a tiny company, and it has been so inspiring to
see how the young staff at EBR has stepped up to the task of building world-class motorcycles. And it's just as
wonderful to have great suppliers and partners like AMSOIL who, without hesitation, put it all on the line to support
EBR. AMSOIL Magazine: What do you still want to accomplish? Buell: Oh, there is so much more to do. We are busy with all sorts of new
products, both for the EBR brand and also for customers of our engineering-consulting business. I just want more of the
world to see and enjoy the many exciting two-wheeled products that can come from the minds at EBR. AMSOIL Magazine: One of those exciting new products is the 1190RX, named by Ultimate
Motorcycling as its most anticipated motorcycle of 2014. How does it continue your tradition of innovation? Buell: There are a lot of unique technical innovations in the bike. Our biggest
goals are always related not to any one invention or concept, but putting together a package of ideas where the sum is
more than any one part. There are many chassis innovations, like the unique brake [the "inside out" system Buell
pioneered that places the rotor outside the caliper for increased suspension effectiveness], magnesium subframe, split
radiators, fuel in frame, etc., but the sum total is a lightweight, superb-handling motorcycle. AMSOIL Magazine: How else does the bike break new ground? Buell: In another area, since this has been our first time building our own
engine, it was important to us to make a real statement of innovation. There is a package of technology in the
powertrain aimed at making it a very "green" superbike. The results are a highhorsepower engine that also has a wide
and flat powerband, with huge torque, yet is very smooth and easy to ride at part throttle, gets 51 mpg on the EPA
drive cycle, emits only 25 percent of permitted HC+NOx exhaust emissions and, incredibly, only 6 percent of CO
emissions. These are spectacular numbers. AMSOIL Magazine: This bike delivers 185 hp and nearly 102 ft. lbs. of torque while weighing
just 419 lbs. What do those numbers translate into on the road? Buell: For us, again, it is a whole package. So big power, big torque and light
weight make for speed, but we wanted the 1190RX to also be very easy to ride every day. So we made sure it had a very
predictable power delivery, excellent ergonomics, stable handling, great dashboard, powerful brakes and lightweight
wheels for the smoothest ride on bumpy roads. It is so fun to ride, no matter where you are riding. AMSOIL Magazine: Why did you choose AMSOIL synthetic lubricants as the factory-fill lubricant for your bikes,
including the 1190RX? Buell: We have had such good results with AMSOIL, both in the quality of the
products and in technical expertise. Because of that, we feel most comfortable that we are doing the very best for our
customers when we ship with AMSOIL in the bikes and with a strong recommendation that they continue to use AMSOIL
products. AMSOIL Magazine: On the track, Larry Pegram, formerly of Team AMSOIL, joins Geoff May, Aaron
Yates and Cory West this season. What influenced your decision to expand the team? Buell: The factory EBR Hero/AMSOIL-backed team was headed overseas to run the
World Superbike (WSBK) Series, which left a gap in the AMA [SuperBike Series]. Larry had been talking with me for a
couple years, and called to say he wanted to switch to our EBR 1190 for 2014. It was a perfect opportunity. Larry is a
great rider, and quite a personality as well (an Ohio farm boy with a cool TV show on Velocity called Superbike
Family), and he has a very professional crew. His lead sponsor, Foremost Insurance, fits well as another partner
– a hardworking, all-American, Midwestern company out of Michigan. AMSOIL has worked with Larry before, and he
was happy to be back working with their technical group. AMSOIL Magazine: Why did you choose this year to broaden the scope of the team and compete
overseas? Buell: The team in WSBK runs an exhausting series, with races ranging from
Australia to Europe to Russia to South Africa to Malaysia and even to the U.S. EBR and our sponsors, AMSOIL and Hero,
are global companies, and since we finally had the 1190RX ready, with production sufficient for WSBK homologation, we
decided it was time to move to that next level to maximize worldwide exposure. (Editor's note: AMA and WSBK
homologation rules require a minimum quantity of produced units to guard against specialized bikes built only for
racing.) AMSOIL Magazine: What are your thoughts on EBR introducing the first all-American bike to
WSBK? Buell: We are really happy to have EBR competing in this premier international
road-race series. There have been a number of American riders who have raced in World Superbike, but until now, never
an American motorcycle.
According to an industry survey, U.S. bikers value engine protection and quality above all else.
Click for larger image
Over 80 percent of survey respondents rate engine protection and quality as important or very important when selecting motorcycle oil. Viscosity grade and motorcycle specific formulations are also important or very important to a majority of respondents. Interestingly, price was the sixth most important factor, indicating most bikers are willing to pay a premium for motorcycle oils that help them get the best performance and most years from their engines. Results indicate what motorcyclists want in a motor oil is exactly what AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil delivers.
Keeping Bikes Longer
The demographics of the U.S. motorcycle fleet may have played a large role in how bikers responded to the survey. Sales of new bikes, as reported by the Motorcycle Industry Council, reached 452,400 in 2012. However, over half of the 10 million bikes in the U.S. fleet are more than seven years old while almost 25 percent predate 1995. Bikers are keeping their motorcycles longer and selecting lubricants that help them do so by maximizing engine protection and longevity.
MOTORCYCLE SPECIFIC FORMULATIONS
Bikers also value motor oils formulated specifically for
motorcycles demonstrating that many understand the unique challenges
motorcycles present to lubricants and the need to use lubricants formulated to
meet those challenges. Motorcycles run hotter and at higher RPM than passenger
cars/light trucks – conditions that require robust oils formulated to resist
viscosity loss due to extreme heat and mechanical shear. In many bikes, the oil
must lubricate the engine, transmission and primary chaincase simultaneously.
Effectively protecting against engine and gear wear while delivering superior
clutch performance requires a balanced oil tailored to protect all critical
areas. Passenger car/light truck motoroils simply aren’t designed to meet the
needs of motorcycles. However, 59 percent of respondents indicated an
API-certified oil was very important or important, indicating there is still
limited knowledge of lubricant specifications and their applicability.
Synthetics on the Rise
Click for larger image
Full-synthetic oils rate as important or very important to 42 percent of
respondents. Where bikers once had to be convinced of synthetics’ superiority,
many now understand synthetics are better-suited to protect their engines in the
toughest riding conditions. The survey also found that the strength of brand
reputation and explicit product quality claims are two key differentiators in
the market. The AMSOIL brand signifies industry leading quality due to the
company’s presence at the largest and most influential motorcycle rallies in
North America – including Sturgis, Daytona Bike Week and Laconia Motorcycle Week
– and its sponsorships in the motorcycle racing markets – including AMSOIL
Arenacross, Erik Buell Racing, Monster Energy Supercross and Loretta Lynn’s AMA
Amateur National Motocross Championships.
More importantly, AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil lives up to its performance
claims delivering real world benefits experienced by countless bikers.
Formulated specifically to meet the demands of motorcycles, its exceptional high
temperature film strength provides maximum wear protection. AMSOIL Synthetic
Motorcycle Oil promotes superior engine cleanliness, wet-clutch performance and
transmission protection. Its performance has earned AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle
Oil a strong reputation for quality, delivering the performance bikers want. AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil Information
Protection against extreme heat is of the utmost importance in motorcycle applications. The aircooled V-twin engines
used in Harley-Davidson motorcycles can get extremely hot, particularly when idling or traveling at low speeds. If a motorcycle oil cannot withstand hot operating temperatures, its ability to provide adequate engine protection
is compromised. AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil is formulated to withstand extreme heat
conditions beyond the hottest temperatures motorcycles typically experience, providing peace of mind that motorcycles
receive outstanding protection and performance no matter how extreme the operating conditions.
Dynamometer Testing
To demonstrate its extreme-heat protection qualities, AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCV) was subjected to a
dynamometer test designed to simulate conditions even more extreme than the demanding stop-andgo driving conditions of
a motorcycle rally or parade route. A 2012 Harley-Davidson FXDB Dyna Street Bob motorcycle equipped with AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil was
operated for 68.5 minutes at low speeds, with significant idle time broken by engine revving. Like most Harley-
Davidson motorcycles, the Dyna Street Bob features an air-cooled V-twin engine, which relies on cooling fins arrayed
along the cylinder walls to conduct heat away. To create the most-severe operating conditions possible, the electronic
temperature controls, which safeguard the motorcycle when temperatures reach dangerous levels, were deactivated. The
test subjected the oil and engine components to intense heat not normally experienced in the real world, with cylinder
temperatures reaching more than 500°F. The extreme temperatures were no match for AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil. After nearly 70 minutes of torturous
testing and heat exposure, oil analysis revealed no change in oil viscosity and only minor levels of oxidation, TBN
depletion and wear. Not only did AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil prevent the engine from overheating and seizing, it did so without
losing chemical integrity or ability to protect vulnerable engine components, demonstrating that it provides
outstanding protection even in compromising and severe high-temperature riding and idling conditions not experienced by
most riders.
As temperatures climbed to more than 500°F in the cylinders, an infrared camera revealed the redhot conditions
that assaulted the engine components and oil.
Viscosity
As heat breaks oil down, the viscosity typically rises until it is significantly out of grade and must
be changed. AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil showed no change in viscosity following the extreme-temperature
test, demonstrating its outstanding resistance to thermal breakdown and its ability to provide excellent protection in
the most severe conditions.
Click for larger image
Oxidation
AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil demonstrated outstanding oxidation resistance, allowing it to
control deposits and keep motorcycle engines clean and operating at peak efficiency.
Click for larger image
TBN
AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil successfully maintained its Total Base Number (TBN), allowing it
to effectively combat corrosive acids.
Click for larger image
Wear Metals
AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil demonstrated outstanding wear protection throughout the
extreme-temperature test, with oil analysis results showing only trace levels of wear metals.
