| Author | Message | ||
     Beachbuell |
OK, who runs the synthetic 3 HD oil in their Buell? I've got cases on hand and will be running it on the next service, The big 1K, lol. Notice any differences in the syn. 3 versus good ol' 2050? I heard that it runs cooler with synthetic, sounds right to me? Anyone, Bueller, Bueller, Ferris? | ||
| Gearhead |
I've been running Syn 3 in my 12R since 1000 mile service in the engine and trans. The bike has just about 16,000 on it now and I've had no issues. The main reason I chose Syn 3 over others was strictly for resale value, I thought it would be easier to sell the bike to someone or a dealer if I ran Syn 3, it's just easier to explain and at least in my area, easy to get! Any synthetic is a higher quality product than standard blends so I feel I'm doing a little more to protect my ride. I still change the oil at the regular 2500 mile intervals or so depending on what's going on. It does cost more but I look at it as cheap insurance. | ||
| Buellin_ri |
I ran syn3 for 2 seasons no problems. I just picked up a case of mobil 1 v-twin oil and going to try that out. By the way whats syn 3 running price wise nowa days? My dealership wanted 9 change for a quart. I don't remember paying that much before. | ||
| Coolice |
I've had Syn oil in my 9R since 2002 and it has almost 11,000 miles on it. It shifts better and runs cooler I think on hot days. | ||
| Buellrcr |
ya i run it in my race bike,runs cooler | ||
| Billgw |
Hey Beachbuell, I'm sure you'll get a bunch of varying opinions on this, but I just wanted to let you know about my recent change over to Syn3 HD in my '00 cyclone. As soon as I changed over to the synthetic in both the tranny and the engine, both of them sprang leaks! The chaincase started leaking from the seam around the entire perimeter and the engine appears to be leaking near the rocker cover (again! long story covered in another thread...). This is the second time I've had to repair a leak on the rocker covers BTW. I have found varying opinions about the leaks starting from the use of the synthetic oils and their interaction with gasket material and now I am personally experiencing it. I have repaired the chaincase leak by removal of the outer cover and reinstallation of a new gasket and use of aircraft quality permabond gasket sealer. I found a another thread on here about the newer gasket that Buell introduced for the chain case and found a distinct difference in the two for my M2. The one I removed was a paper type of material and the one I installed was a much more robust design with a rubbery feeling texture applied to a stiff (metal) underlying structure. I have not experienced any further leaks in this area. Now I will tackle the rocker covers and try to stop any further leakage from them as well. I believe Buell has introduced a new material for these gaskets as well. I don't think any of this should be an issue with XB however. Maybe someone else will report back to you about their experience. There are a lot of opinions about use of synth oil and engine life etc. I have worked on and around airplanes for close to thirty years now and if the synthetic oils are preferred and used by engineers for machines that see thousands of hours of daily use, then I personally think it is worth the extra protection. | ||
| Brad_buell |
I've used Syn3 since my 1k service. My fan hardly ever comes on anymore. And shifting is much smoother. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Have been using Syn3 since it came out in my XB9R and XB12R and Sportster (used to have connections with the source). Just this week the XB12R and Sportster hit the 5 and 10k mark, with no more connection I opted to spend the same retail amount for Amsoil 20-50 synthetic V-Twin. With all I've read, it seems to be at or near the top of the oil heap, at least on paper. It looks like all the comparisons favor synthetic oil over regular or blends. I don't really know if my fan runs less or transmission shifts better with synthetic since it was installed at the 1k service, but it seems like it. Makes ME feel better anyway. | ||
| Mountainrider |
Read this. It seems like Rotella would be the best choice and I think that the Harley oil might just be a spin off from this. http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html | ||
| Glitch |
Any quality synthetic is good for your engine. But, IMHO, I wouldn't use engine oil in my gear box. I recommend Mobil1 75W90 gear oil for the trans. | ||
| Johnparts |
I use syn3 in all three of my xb's and have actually seen a 5hp increase in all the dyno proven and they were all changed at 250 miles I only had one of the three spring an oil leak it wound up being the cooler lines rubbing together not the syn3 had good luck with it recommend it to anyone | ||
| Aldaytona |
The Motor Company does recommend engine oil in the transmission/primary (Syn3) as well as Sport trans. A lot of 20/50 Synthetics are specified by their manufacturers for use in the transmission/primary of Harley-Davidson and Buell models. Everyone seems a different opinion, I have always used a 75w90 gear oil in transmission only applications, not with a shared primary and can't remember reading anything from any oil company recommending it. But then again, I haven't read everything.  | ||
| Glitch |
That's why I said IMHO. I just noticed that "smooth shifting after an oil change" lasted longer with gear oil. I know it won't hurt anything using engine oil. I just feel if you have them separated (engine & trans) use what formulated for each. | ||
| Xb9 |
Harley recently came out with a new "primary chaincase and transmission lubricant" - it's called Formula+. Not for use in the crankcase as a motor oil. I started using it in the tranny/primary on my '03 XB about a month ago and it seems to be very good. Much smoother shifting and clutch action. I'm sticking with it. I think the 06 xb manuals recommend it and they extended the change interval for it also. | ||
| Jackbequick |
The Motor Company did not recommend any synthetics until they started selling one with their name on it. When and if they ever start selling a 75W90 synthetic, they'll recommend that too. The Mobil 1 75W90 works good in the primary, it has some additives that are not in engine lube (I'm using Mobil 1 15W50) that make it more appropriate for that high temp, heavy pressure environment. I have not heard and can't find a good reason not to use it there. The MoCo's list of recommended lubes won't change my opinion. They package oil and make money when you buy it. If you can read this typical example of "the party line" on Syn3 without questioning anything, then you are probably the person they target in their marketing. I don't see anything ulterior in their motives, it is simply business. Jack | ||
| Glitch |
Engine oil is formulated to hold "dirt" in suspension to get it to the filter. Gear oil is formulated to get the "dirt" to sink to the bottom. Gear oil is also formulated for "shearing" or gears acting kind of like scissors on the oil. Engine oil is also formulated for more heat. Did that make any sense? | ||
| Roly |
hi mountainrider,good bit of info on that site about oil. | ||
| Blake |
Please post all future threads like this in the applicable Knowledge Vault topic (Lubrication). We'll be moving this one there soon. Thanks, Blake  172689 | ||
| Mountainrider |
Roly it is a great article. I am glad you took the time to read it. | ||
| Odinbueller |
The motor company wouldn't back oil they have no control over. That’s why the Syn3 signage in our dealership states at the top "Tested & Approved". They have extended the interval on fluid changes on the primary & transmission using this oil, and have broadened the use back to Shovelhead & Ironhead engines. H-D/Buell has no input with Mobil, Amsoil, or any of the other makes, which is why they do not test it in their engines. The Syn3 is a proprietary synthetic blend refined for H-D by Citgo Petroleum exclusively for Harley & Buell, and they will stand behind it. I've run it in my S3T and have had no problems, and know that the motor company will stand behind it if anything should go south. | ||
| Cmm213 |
the mobil 1 syn 75 90 had a very good effect on my primary, better shifting and good clutch feel | ||
| Thin_air |
My bike seems to shift "quieter" with the SYN3. I like it, run it in my other HD too. | ||
| Jhanz |
I just switched over to Syn3 at 2200 miles and whereas the shifting seems smoother and engine also seems smoother, the fan comes on just as much. The next oil change I will go Mobil 1 all around. |
