| Author | Message | ||
     Dbf |
I was by the local HD/Buell stealership on Sat and I asked the service manager what primary fluid I should use. He said Sport Trans was what they put in all Buells, yet when I got home I looked in my owners book and it stated Formula +. I know this has been beaten to death in the KV, but I'd like to know what preferred HD lube is. I'm assuming the wrenchers at the dealer know what is supposed to be used, that is why I'm a little confused. I want to stay with OEM primary fluid for obvious warranty reasons. Any thoughts? Dan | ||
| Kdan |
Mobil 1 75-90 no warranty issues. What're they going to do? Analyze it, find out I've been using something better than what is recommended and deny a warranty claim? | ||
| Whodom |
Dbf, If you're riding an 06 bike, I'd get the Formula +. The 06 XB's have new lighter clutch springs than previous XB's for reduced clutch pull. The Formula + supposedly has a higher coefficient of friction in the clutch while still remaining slippery for the gears and bearings. IIRC this was beat to death on the Uly board a few months ago. I run Mobil 1 75W-90 in my tuber, but I wouldn't use it in an 06 transmission until somebody proves it won't cause clutch slippage. | ||
| Xb9 |
for any year, use the Formula +. Been using it in both of my '03s and love it. Shifts real smooooooth! | ||
| Schmitty |
Has anybody tried Syn 3? I'm just curious, since it is supposed to work in all areas of the bike. | ||
| No_rice |
syn 3 works good! as far as the formula+, that is replacing sports trans, primary and tranny lube. when the sports trans stuff is gone at your dealers, its gone. | ||
| Stormtrooper1015 |
I have replaced all mine with Syn3. No problems at all - and it makes for easy top ups. | ||
| Buellgirlie |
i run syn 3 in both of my buells. works good. easy to manage. makes my fan come on less. try it, you'll like it  D | ||
| Hkwan |
So Formula+ is ok to use in tranny of earlier (than '06) XB's? | ||
| No_rice |
yes, pretty soon the only harley options you will have for that is formula+ or syn3 | ||
| Spike |
On your '06 with the new tranny and clutch I'd stick with the factory recommendations for now, which would be Formula+ or Syn3. For what it's worth, in my '04 XB12R tranny I've used Sport-Trans, Syn3, Mobil1 75w90, and Amsoil 20w50 (MCV). Frankly, I can't tell a difference between any of them. The primary chain adjustment seems to have more effect on shift quality than the fluid does. If I were to pick nits, I did notice the bike popping out of 4th right after an upshift at the track last year while running Sport-Trans. I adjusted the primary between sessions and starting being more careful on the 3rd-4th upshift and the problem went away. When I got home from the track I was still paranoid enough to dump the sport-trans. Lately while running Mobil1 75w90 I've noticed if I'm not careful I'll hit a false neutral between 1st and 2nd. I don't think it's caused by the Mobil1, but the recent trans fluid debates have given me enough doubt to use something else at the next fluid change. I'm not convinced that the Mobil1 is wrong for our trannies, but the threads have given me enough doubt to spend my $6 on something else. | ||
| Blake |
Where do you see factory recommendations for Syn-3 in 2006 model Buell transmissions? | ||
| Cmm213 |
I dont run any of the harley stuff simply because all the parts counter guys around here are dicks, so I spend my money at wal-mart or auto zone. Also my purolator L14476 oil filter works just fine and its cheap too. Until something goes wrong with my tranny or clutch because of the mobil 1 I'm going to keep using it. | ||
| Guzzimon |
RedLine Shockproof Light, guys. Simply the BEST -- makes my 03's tranny run like butter... Whatever you use, change it often (it's only a quart) and clean EVERYTHING off the magnetic plug. If your tranny has MAJOR wear or was neglected, you might want to consider Shockproof HEAVY. I've been running it in my Guzzi with excellent results. Guzzimon..............  | ||
| Dbf |
Thanks for the inputs guys. I think I'll stick with the recommended fluid - Formula+ - for now. Once the warranty expires, I may opt to use something else. Dan | ||
| Spike |
Actually, I guess I didn't see where the factory recommend Syn3 for '06 Buells. I know they were stating that Syn3 was for use in all Harley/Buell engines/trannies/chaincases during the '05 model year. When reading the info on the new '06 Buell trannies I saw that the fluid spec had changed from Sport-Trans to Formula+, I had assumed the Syn3 was still good. I went back and read through the specifications for Syn3 and Formula+ on Harley's website, I see where they warn against mixing Syn3 with the Semi-synthetic transmission lubricant, but I don't see any exclusions for Formula+ or '06 Buell transmissions. Here is the recommended application for Syn3: Formulated for Harley-Davidson Engines, Transmissions and the following Primary Chaincase applications: '71-later XL, '83-'84 XR1000, and '84-later Big Twin models with wet-type diaphragm spring clutch. Formula+: Formulated for use in Harley-Davidson Transmissions (except VRSC models) and the following Primary Chaincase applications: '71-later XL, '83-'84 XR1000, and '84-later Big Twin models with wet type diaphragm spring clutch. I also found this from the Syn3 Q&A: Can a quart of oil be added to the Primary Chaincase or Transmission when SYN3 is not available? However, I haven't worked at a dealer since February '05, so I may have missed a bulletin on this. | ||
| Fullpower |
evidence:  By logical extension, 20W-50 synthetic oil IS permissible for both engine and transmission duty. I have used many and varied brands of 20W-50, 15W-50, and also 75W-90 synthetic lubricants in both sportster and buell transmissions, with no problems noted. | ||
| Blake |
Gussimon, Redline advises against running any of their "shockproof" tranny lubricants in Buell or Sportster primary/transmissions. The shockproof contains suspended solids that will collect around and eventually gum up the clutch and the stator. Please don't use that product any more in your XB transmission/primary. There are photos on the board here somewhere of clogged up stators and clutches that will likely convince you of that should you doubt what I am saying. | ||
| Blake |
Here's a photo of the suspended solids Redline Shockproof can leave behind on your clutch plates...  Read more at... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=3842&post=118663#POST 118663 | ||
| Odinbueller |
Formula+ or Syn3 is good for 2006 model year trans & primary components. Formula+ will be the replacement for the H-D Sport Trans fluid, Primary Fluid, and Semi Synthetic transmission lubes. Formula+ is backwards compatible in most earlier model year vehicle components. Formula+ is a mineral based oil, maintaining proper anti wear properties for transmission gears friction coefficient for the clutch plates. Syn3 is a higher end version that is petroleum based. Since the trans has helical cut gears along with the new reduced effort clutch in 2006 models, I would only use these lubes for now. Remember, there's no trap door for the trans anymore, and requires crankcase splitting for any trans issue. Keep that in mind when trying different lubes, so be careful. Hope this helps. Chris | ||
| Buellistic |
Blake: You need to change to Syn 3 so your clutch will be as clean as mine !!! |
