| Author | Message | ||
     Choppee |
Hi, I'm thinking of switching over to the new HD/Buell Synthetic Oil that works on the whole bike. Does anybody have any thoughts on this? Should I just follow the service manual concerning quarts, ounces, etc...? Any "tips" before I start. Special gaskets needed, etc...? Help... Thanks, Choppee | ||
| Richieg150 |
You shouldnt need any SPECIAL gaskets.The synthetic oil is supposed to hold up better to heat,ect...than the regular HD 20W-50W.HD uses The Synthetic in everything,so Im not concerned about it at all. Parts will break and fail before oil will loose its lubrication properties,everyone has THEIR opinion which oil,oils best!IMHO,the key is to keep it changed regularly!The service manual will give you the amount of quarts or ounces to use.I switched over to the Synthetic HD Oil when it came out.My Buell seems to shift easier/quieter,about 6000 miles useing it and all is ok. | ||
| Piggos |
I'll echo what Richieg150 said- modern Harleys are a natural for synthetic oils as they often run way too hot, and that is where synthetics really shine. Most of what you've heard about synthetics causing seal problems, or my favorite- it's "slipperier" is just not true. The coefficient of friction is the same as non-synthetics. That said, if you have any seeping gaskets, you may see the seepage increase; I did. Also, on my FLH (TCI) the neutral light quit almost instantly when I switched the transmission to Mobil 1 80W90 Synthetic. Shifting however improved noticeably, and the replacement switch is doing fine. Beware of urban legends from people who have no first hand experience with modern lubricants. | ||
| Brucelee |
Ditto on the Mobil One Tranny oil. Great stuff. I use Mobile One 15-50 in engine and it is also the deal. Much less money than the HD syn and they actually put the rating on the bottle. Good luck | ||
| Newfie_buell |
I use the Synthetic Mobil 15w50 in the motor and 75w90 in the gearbox. The gearbox shifts nicer and the motor runs smoother, I also notice the oil is much cleaner between oil changes, I do mine every 5000km. | ||
| Crusty |
I change my oil every 2,000 miles. Harley oil is good, Syn 3 is good, Mobil 1 is good. All oils are good if you change them often. | ||
| Road_thing |
Re: leaking with synthetic oil. When I changed over to Mobil 1, my S1 actually stopped weeping oil from around the rubber bungs where the oil lines plug into the oil tank. YMMV. r-t | ||
| Nevco1 |
Used Golden Spectro on a number of bikes for over 15 years and never had any problems. Recently switched to Red Line in both the engine and tranny on my X1 and it appears to be a winner as well. Will make the switch to Red Line products at my next service on the Wide Glide too. Bottom line is everyone I know that has converted to synthetics is very pleased with the results regardless of what brand they selected. Of interest, most have chosen to go the Mobile One route and many of them have well over 100.0K miles on their bikes. Heck, two have accrued over 250.0 miles without any major catastrophes. Disclaimer: Of the folks I refer to, I am the only one that rides HD/BMC motorcycles. | ||
| Piggos |
The thing I find attractive about the Harley Synth is availability- you can't turn around without tripping over a HD dealership around here. I did use Mobil 1's V-Twin product for a while, but found it difficult to find in Southern Cal, and impossible on the road. I am using Amsoil's V-Twin Synthetic in my FLH; they will happily send you any type of technical information on their products. My Buell has the new HD synthetic, and likes it just fine. Easy, too, with only one type of oil in the engine and chaincase. | ||
| Brucelee |
I like a little more viscosity in the trans. 75-90 seems to do it just fine. I would think 20-50 is way too thin. | ||
| Rocketman |
I would not suggest the use of multigrade motor oils in the transmission. Transmission lubricants are designed and treated with additives specifically for high pressure, high viscosity stability relative to temperature, high resistance to aging, good anti-foaming properties and compatibility to seals and gaskets. Synthetic transmission oils have advantages over mineral oils. Superior temperature viscosity properties and Synthetic last longer (increased aging properties). Rocket | ||
| Henrik |
Bill; last year I stopped using Redline in the tranny - the "Heavy something-or-other". When I took the tranny apart on the S2 I found all kinds of greenish, gunky "pond scum" all over the the primary and in the transmission. Don't know if it really mattered, but it just didn't look right to me. Back then there was some discussion about that. I didn't notice any change in shifting. Just a heads-up. Henrik | ||
| 02buells3t |
Redline does not recommend the "Heavy-Shockproof" oil in the transmission EXCEPT in race motors, presumably because they will be drained after each race. | ||
| Nevco1 |
Henrik...Thanks for the heads up on the Red Line. Will check it out. Your description does not sound like something I would care to see in my trans. Actually sounds more like something the Ghost Busters would use in Gotham. Incidentally, the reason I went with Red Line was it was recommended by Hal's Performance Shop. Prior to that I ran Golden Spectro in the Engine and Harley's Natural Dino Juice in the trans. | ||
| Bigj |
The Redline "Shockproof" series of gear oil, has a solid additive, that apparently has an attraction for the alternators in Sportster engines. Redline makes other gear oils without this additive that should be fine.  | ||
| Piggos |
It is an interesting point that a single lubricant for both engine and transmission removes the benefit of task-specific lubricants. Why not stay with a primary and trans lube that is better suited to the task, since we can.. | ||
| Vr1203 |
Good point Pigos, But how does the rest of the world get way with it? Better metallurgy,maybe? | ||
| Piggos |
It isn't so much that they "get away with it" as it is that they chose this design path. Bikes that are built to a low price point, particularly where a desire for light weight dictates unitized construction, will consolidate as many mechanical functions as possible into single assemblies. Harley and BMW are examples of manufacturers who put design sensibilities in front of cost of manufacture as much as practical. Perhaps, to a fault. |
