I did the scheduled 1000 mile service on my 2012 Wide Glide last fall, changed out engine, tranny & primary with conventional H-D fluids. Wondering when to switch to synthetics. Any suggestions?

 

Dealer told me not til the 1000 mile change, which is usually the first change. No reason not to do it at your next change. The CVO harleys and lots of other high performance vehicles come from the factory filled with synth.

 

I did mine at my first service

 

Yes just enough to break in then go syth.
I did mine at 500 miles. I do my own service, better than it has to be.

 

First service, have not looked back...

 

Corvette, Porscha, and many other hi-perf machinery puts it in at the factory! So in keeping with their tradetion, I did synthetic at 12 miles. Rings have seated and she's good to go at 1700 miles. Droped the oils at 1000 miles as per the book and will do it again at 2500, then every 3000 miles hereafter! To me, it is TLC by the qt.

 

How about some suggestions on fluids.

 

Use H-D Syn3 in all three holes, motor, tranny and primary but some (including me) find the shifting is a bit harsh with Syn3 and use "proper" gear oil instead. Spectro Gear Guard is what I use.

 

When I get to 1000mi, gonna go with Mobil 1 V-twin 20W-50 in the engine, and Red Line oils in the tranny and primary. Red Line is a little expensive and harder to find in local stores to run in the engine, otherwise I would use it in all three holes...it's one of the best oils out there for bikes. You can order online from here:
http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/c...otorcycle_Oils

 

first service as well, no issues