Motorcycle Repair: Oil sprauting from air cleaner, hd oil, 2 quarts

Question
QUESTION: Mike, Iv read a couple of articles on this matter with the HD oil debates. I own a 05 softtail and 06 sportster 883. I would like to know if I can use castrol 20w50 on my bikes with no problem. I cant believe that I would have to stick with using HD oil only on my bikes just because Harley says I cant use any other kind of oil. Thanks

ANSWER: you can use the oil you want as long as its a 20w50 and its a SAE oil. the meet the same requirements
Good luck and happy riding
Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mike, I have an 06 sportster 883 and after I put over 500 miles on it I notice that oil was coming out of the air cleaner. I took it to the dealer and their tech told me that if you ride them hard that that is some thing that will happen on these sportsers. I have never heard or seen any thing like like this. Well, he recommended that I use it 1 quart low,instead of 3 quarts to use 2 quarts in it. I don't use it as much as I would like to thinking that some thing could happen to my engine. By the way, thanks for the answer on the oil. I have already changer to castrol 20w50 for motorcycles. Thanks....Jorge

Answer
The oil is designed to lube the motor and cool the motor. Running less oil is not a good idea,due to the fact that less oil will not cool the bike well. I have never heard of such a thing as telling somebody not to run the oil tank full!
the problem with sportsters is they vent to the air filter. Over time the air filter gets to much oil in it and it drips and makes a mess. Your best bet is to take the vent hose off the air cleaner and vent it to the underside of the bike.
Happy holidays
Mike