Penrite semi fluid lube
WLA gearbox
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Penrite semi fluid lube
Gday
Anyone got experience with putting penrite semi fluid steering box lube in a WLA gearbox
Good idea or not to minimise or stop it leaking mine doesn’t leak a hell of a lot but I heard it’s a good option ?
Will it work as expected??
Anyone got experience with putting penrite semi fluid steering box lube in a WLA gearbox
Good idea or not to minimise or stop it leaking mine doesn’t leak a hell of a lot but I heard it’s a good option ?
Will it work as expected??
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Re: Penrite semi fluid lube
Others with a lot more experience than me will probably also chime in,
But I would not use it,
I use straight weight oil as the manual describes, for my WLA.
I am understanding that oil gets into the roller bearings and lets them roll, where as thicker lubricants can gum up the roller bearings to where they don’t roll.
They “skate”, instead of doing the job intended and creates more wear, quickly ruining your gearbox bearings.
Plus if you are constantly checking the oil level and adding oil when necessary, you are always putting fresh oil in the gearbox.
Good luck
George
But I would not use it,
I use straight weight oil as the manual describes, for my WLA.
I am understanding that oil gets into the roller bearings and lets them roll, where as thicker lubricants can gum up the roller bearings to where they don’t roll.
They “skate”, instead of doing the job intended and creates more wear, quickly ruining your gearbox bearings.
Plus if you are constantly checking the oil level and adding oil when necessary, you are always putting fresh oil in the gearbox.
Good luck
George
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Re: Penrite semi fluid lube
Designed for a steering box. A steering box is not a high speed spinning mechanism but rather a very slow speed reciprocating piece under high thrust loads. An entirely different engineering & lubrication situation.
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Re: Penrite semi fluid lube
Don't fix the symptoms...fix the cause!
If your box leaks, don't fiddle with thicker lubes...but fix the leak!
If your box leaks, don't fiddle with thicker lubes...but fix the leak!
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Re: Penrite semi fluid lube
Correct my gearbox drips the normal indicator amount a few drops runs sweet as smooth never misses a beat its more a question on peoples opinions on the stuff as there are some I speak with that use it.. I’ll stick to traditional gear oils
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Re: Penrite semi fluid lube
There are many "experts" in the motor vehicle world who think they no more than the engineers who designed their vehicles. Often applying that "expert" knowledge results in the destruction of the machine through over-stressing of one type or another.
The H-D engineers specified 50 Grade oil for the gearbox, so that is the oil to use. I will say that the quality of 50 Grade oil in terms of additives (also researched and designed by true experts in that field) has to have improved since the 45 C I and associated gearbox were designed. I will admit that I use 50 Grade oil designed for aero engines, but that is simply because it is easier for me to get without having to buy a full box of automotive 50 Grade.
Obviously you can't get 78 octane fuel, but it is an accepted fact that the octane rating specified by the engine's designers is the minimum required to prevent detonation. It doesn't hurt the engine to use fuel of a higher octane rating. (Don't start raving on about higher octane rated fuel producing more power. That shows a complete misunderstanding of the term "octane rating" and the chemistry of combustion.)
The H-D engineers specified 50 Grade oil for the gearbox, so that is the oil to use. I will say that the quality of 50 Grade oil in terms of additives (also researched and designed by true experts in that field) has to have improved since the 45 C I and associated gearbox were designed. I will admit that I use 50 Grade oil designed for aero engines, but that is simply because it is easier for me to get without having to buy a full box of automotive 50 Grade.
Obviously you can't get 78 octane fuel, but it is an accepted fact that the octane rating specified by the engine's designers is the minimum required to prevent detonation. It doesn't hurt the engine to use fuel of a higher octane rating. (Don't start raving on about higher octane rated fuel producing more power. That shows a complete misunderstanding of the term "octane rating" and the chemistry of combustion.)
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Re: Penrite semi fluid lube
Just for fun.fellas. We do know that gear lube weight/viscosity ratings are measured on a different scale that API Automotive engine oils.
https://www.engineersedge.com/gears/gea ... eneral.htm
https://www.engineersedge.com/gears/gea ... eneral.htm
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Re: Penrite semi fluid lube
Some gear oils also have contents that can harm any brass parts in the gearbox , & may be harmful to bronze too.
animal
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Re: Penrite semi fluid lube
I fully agree that Harley paid a lot of money to engineer their products so why would I, not an engineer, question the wisdom of HD. However, when the transmissions for flatheads, etc. were engineered, were there oils available that might have been better in a Harley transmission than 50 wt engine oil? If no such oils were available, maybe that is why the engineers recommended 50 wt engine oil. If other oils were available, that says that 50 wt engine oil is the thing to use. What about using the current Formula+ Harley transmission oil (not Syn3)? Could Formula+ be a Harley-engineered upgrade from 50wt oil?
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Re: Penrite semi fluid lube
Understand this: The modern 5 & six speed transmissions are fully rollerized and contain no "yellow metal" parts. The pre-1985, 4-speed trannies do. so what may be suitable for a modern tranny may be death to a vintage, pre-1985, tranny. Be aware of the modern lube one intends to use....pan50head wrote: ↑Tue Jun 28, 2022 4:13 pm I fully agree that Harley paid a lot of money to engineer their products so why would I, not an engineer, question the wisdom of HD. However, when the transmissions for flatheads, etc. were engineered, were there oils available that might have been better in a Harley transmission than 50 wt engine oil? If no such oils were available, maybe that is why the engineers recommended 50 wt engine oil. If other oils were available, that says that 50 wt engine oil is the thing to use. What about using the current Formula+ Harley transmission oil (not Syn3)? Could Formula+ be a Harley-engineered upgrade from 50wt oil?
....RooDog....
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Re: Penrite semi fluid lube
semi thread hi jack warning.
As an aside, Burman gearbox on my Vinnie is recommended to use semi fluid grease and to top up with 'egg cup' of engine oil.
My understanding of the top end oils such as Mobil 1 was not to use them in motors of older HD's as it could lead to rollers sliding.
In the Triumphs the word was to steer clear of g'box oils (modern ?) that contained sulpher as that ate into the alloys that contained copper. Please correct me if i'm wrong.
And..., getting my WL on the road this season, I know the capacity is 3/4 of a pint (not UK pint which is larger, hic !) but how do you monitor the level, or is that where the 'self adjusting' leaky seal comes in and you just add a squirt every xx hundred miles?.
As an aside, Burman gearbox on my Vinnie is recommended to use semi fluid grease and to top up with 'egg cup' of engine oil.
My understanding of the top end oils such as Mobil 1 was not to use them in motors of older HD's as it could lead to rollers sliding.
In the Triumphs the word was to steer clear of g'box oils (modern ?) that contained sulpher as that ate into the alloys that contained copper. Please correct me if i'm wrong.
And..., getting my WL on the road this season, I know the capacity is 3/4 of a pint (not UK pint which is larger, hic !) but how do you monitor the level, or is that where the 'self adjusting' leaky seal comes in and you just add a squirt every xx hundred miles?.