[Sleepy]

'bout time for another oil thread I reckon. I'm using Syn 3 in all three holes. I like the idea of using sybthetic oil as I don't have an oil cooler..[bike get's most of the riding in Canada] I find the bike is noisier with the Syn 3 and from time to time it takes a bit of time to pressure up the lifters. I don't want to start a war or anything..just some thoughts on oil.

[SK]

Originally Posted by Sleepy

I'm using Syn 3 in all three holes.

That should keep ya regular. Guess I should be using it..eh?

I switched to full syn my last oil change and my mileage went up about 2 mpg. Gotta change again before Reno next week.

[FLHTbiker]

Had the same thing going on when I switched to syn 3. I ran it for 1000 miles and then drained the tranny to find a lot of metal shavings. I then drained all holes and refilled using Amsoil. The motor and the tranny are quieter then using the syn 3 and have been using it for the last 12000 miles.
I buy it at a local place called GI Joe's automotive and sport stores. Its harder to get then others. I know several guys running Mobile one and like it to.

Marc

[tinsin]

I've been using Mobil1 V-Twin syn oil just in the motor and haven't had a problem with a noisey top end. Use RevTech everywhere else. Got about 17000 on my '01 Dyna. No complaints so far. Wasn't the Company having second thoughts about using Syn 3 ?? (addressing the problems you're mentioning ... shavings, noise, ect.) I heard that from a couple of the long time riders I work with. I've never used Syn 3. good luck

[Johnny O.]

I have heard reports like that about Syn 3 before. I just can’t bring myself to use that stuff in the tranny. A gear box needs gear lube not motor oil. I guess I got that from my old man, he is very old fashion. Just my .02

[FLHTbiker]

Like I said I did what they recommended at the time and after 100 miles found shavings in the tranny and sense then am using Amsoil gear oil in the tranny and it runs real quiet. I have had one mechanic how worked on my bike tell me that my top end sounded more quiet tan most of the bikes he has rode. could be the Amsoil but for sure will never go back to the SYN3 again.

[hotroadking]

Rumors abound on the net about trans problems and syn3 but I'd doubt HD would be selling it if they felt it was a problem.

Personally like Amsoil Syn Gear oil or Redline Heavy Shockproof in the trans, I've found less shavings on the magnetic pickup with them and better shifting.

I run Mobil1 Gold cap 15K 20W-50 from wall mart $4 a qt for syn, basically the same stuff as the vtwin stuff but half price

[Sleepy]

you guys are the first that have pointed out metal shavings..but i'm assuming it's all from the transmission. I still haven't heard from the shop in regards to the clutch but Im going to go back to the older lubricants and will try to figure out which oil is best for my bike. My only concern with mineral oil is the heat issue and me pulling a trailer with the bike so Amsoil or Mobil one sound good.
thanks fellas

[Killer-B]

In my opinion syn-3 should be called syn-1. The concept of one oil for all three holes is a good and convenient one, but, as far as I’m concerned, it just ain’t going to work. The motor : yes. Trans and primary : no, the trans (no)for oblivious reasons. The primary? Why would you want to put something that is super-slippery (synthetic) into a wet-clutch? The oil in your primary is for cooling purposes. JMO.

[Sleepy]

I'm not sure if it is working anywhere, the Syn 3 that is. I think it's too light for the tranny..I haven't seen the shavings on the plug personally but I've been hearing about this. I've talked to some of the mechanics at the Harley shop where I've bought the bike. Their issues are leaks and valve train noise. I've known one guy for the best part of 20 years and he's a straight shooterso we'll see what shakes out. I'm also hearing that Harley is coming out with a different transmission lubricant so there may be something to the Syn 3 being lacking.

[CD]

Originally Posted by Killer-B

In my opinion syn-3 should be called syn-1. The concept of one oil for all three holes is a good and convenient one, but, as far as I’m concerned, it just ain’t going to work. The motor : yes. Trans and primary : no, the trans (no)for oblivious reasons. The primary? Why would you want to put something that is super-slippery (synthetic) into a wet-clutch? The oil in your primary is for cooling purposes. JMO.

For the same reasons you can run it in a unitized engine or Mobil1 in your primary like we have done for years now. Folks, there are more urban legends about synthetic oil than you can count on both hands and feet. It is NOT more slippery, it does NOT cause rollers bearings to skate etc. It is a freaking OIL that meets the specific ANSI requirments that it is designed for. It continues to amaze me how often this comes up on BBS boards.

http://biketalk.directparts.com/show...ight=synthetic

Was a recent one here.

Here is a link to a site dedicated to and run by professionals in the lubrication industry.
www.bobistheoilguy.com

I will find a link tomorrow that explained the reason you can use a 50wt oil as a 90wt gear oil as they are measured differently so visosity is not universal.

I wish that the lubrication industry would hold seminars in some major cities and invite anyone who wants to attend. Even then, you will have those that will claim it is witches brew .

[Johnny O.]

There are some good reads on 710 at this site that support what CD is saying.

[hotroadking]

CD is correct the grading factors for gear oils and motor oils are numerically different but the oil viscosity is the same

Basically a 50 weight motor oil is the same as a 95 gear oil.

All I can go by is what I've seen, on my 00 which i've heard produces more shavings than later TC trans if I run HD trans syn3 etc I find more shavings on the pickup mag for the speedometer.

As for motor, Castrol Syntech for Vtwins was the best for me at keeping quiet, lots of folks run Mobil1 from wally world for cars in the motors.

For clutch use one of the advantages is a syn will be the easier release of the clutch plates when you want them to release, so it has advantages.

Regular HD oil is fine for everything, syn has better protection because it won't break down as fast as dyno oil, so the longer you run the oil the more protection you have.

If you change at 5000 miles the viscosity and ability of syn to continue to protect at that mileage is better than dyno.

So if dyno is at 70% of it's ability at 5K Syn will be close to 100% of protection.

[Killer-B]

Actually I am a member of bobistheoilguy, there is some good reading there.

‘I’ll’ confess that I may have exaggerated a little on the ‘super-slippery’ comment.

‘I’ do like synthetics in motors and tranny’s as there are many benefits for it.

‘I’ have never personally come across anyone that likes Harley’s syn-3 in their trans.

And ‘I’ would not waste the money putting synthetic in the primary.

‘It’s just my opinion.’ Thank you.

[Johnny O.]

looks like i fogot to put the link in post #13 up there. www.nightrider.com

[hogheaven]

Last time I did an motor oil change I used HD 20-50. it was over $5.00 a QT. I was told that using regular motor oil was a bad thing due to oil breakdown in the heat of summer. Could someone tell me what other less costly oils i could use that would not break the bank lol.

[CD]

Originally Posted by hogheaven

Last time I did an motor oil change I used HD 20-50. it was over $5.00 a QT. I was told that using regular motor oil was a bad thing due to oil breakdown in the heat of summer. Could someone tell me what other less costly oils i could use that would not break the bank lol.

Why in the world would you scrimp on lubes for something that costs so much?
Dino oil works fine with regular changes. Indy shops have multiple brands to choose from. Change it every 3k and keep the engine happy.

[hotroadking]

Ok 3 qts @$5 each is $15 every 5K Pretty cheap

There are additives in the motorcycle oils for air cooled motors, a test of Mobil1 Vtwin and Mobil1 a few years ago indicated they were basically the same oil in different bottles.

A lot of guys are running mobil1 automotive synthtic 20W-50 in thier bikes at $4 a qt from wall mart.

[Johnny O.]

I found the article I was talking about in the other post. This article and others like it convinced me to go with Modil 1 synthetic. it’s long but a good read. http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/oiltest1.htm

[hogheaven]

Your right I wouldn't even think about using oil that would wear out my HD. I was just wondering if there were other quality oils that i could use less expensive. I really don't want to upset anyone but the fact is most anything that has the HD name on it you pay more for it. Example, I needed a new helmet so I when to the harley davidson shop. I found the one I wanted and it was about $80.00. I then went to the suzuki shop and found the exact helmet same brand same model for $59.00. If the HD oil can't be matched by a less exspensive brand then of course that is what I will use. Thanks for all your comments I really apprecieate them.