Motorcycle Repair: oil type for older softail, 20w50 motor oil, sure what kind

Question
i just purchased a 2002 softail heritage. i want to change the oil but I'm not sure what kind of oil to use. i see where a lot of folks are using a syn. 20w50 motor oil. would it be ok to use a valvoline synthetic racing oil 20w50??

Answer
Al, I use synthetic oils all the time however the automotive synthetics dont work on all motorcycles. On this bike it should work because the primary case runs in oil but not the same as the engine. You can use a synthetic oil in the primary case as long as it is for motorcycles as it should have additives for the clutch. If you are not sure try Amsoil in the engine and Amsoil gear lube in the primary case. I have two customers who always used Mobil synthetic and swore by it. I talked them into Amsoil and their shifting got easier and their milage increased it made believers out of them.