Switching to synthetic
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RE: Switching to synthetic - 9/5/2007 6:00:48 AM
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Lost1
Posts: 1492
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Synthetics are 100% compatible with dino oils, so you don't have to change it twice. You can verify this at any oil manufacturer's website.
While there are technically better synthetic oils on the market than H-D, Syn 3 will do a great job of lubricating your engine.
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RE: Switching to synthetic - 9/5/2007 7:54:28 AM
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MACK
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In order of quality and value go with AMSOIL,MOBIL V-TWIN, ROYAL PURPLE,REDLINE. ALL SHOULD BE 20W50.
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RE: Switching to synthetic - 9/5/2007 8:00:54 AM
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Lost1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MACK
In order of quality and value go with AMSOIL,MOBIL V-TWIN, ROYAL PURPLE,REDLINE. ALL SHOULD BE 20W50.
Interesting you would assign three Group IV synthetics (Ams, M1, RP) as being of higher quality & value than a Group V synthetic (Redline.)
On what do you base this assessment?
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RE: Switching to synthetic - 9/5/2007 8:16:53 AM
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pauletich
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quote:
ORIGINAL: severum17
When switching to synthetic, do I need to change the oil twice to make sure that all of the petroleum based stuff is out, or will it mix ok?
Harley synthetic is pretty good stuff? I like to stick with factory recommendations.
MikeM
No you dont have to change it twice. Drain out the old oil and replace with synthetic. All the oils listed by Mack are great choices.
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RE: Switching to synthetic - 9/5/2007 9:53:59 AM
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starbiker99
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Fill your engine with gas and run it for a few minutes then drain it and then fill it with synthetic. Thats what I do to get the old stuff out. JUST KIDDING. The switch is just fine with one change.
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RE: Switching to synthetic - 9/5/2007 10:19:52 AM
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EVOrider
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I maybe switching to synthetic soon as I saw Mobile One listed for $4.98 at Advance Auto Parts here in my town. The price was the only thing that kept me from switching.
At $4.98......it really is not that much more than some of the standard 20w50 oils I have used in the past. Sounds like a good deal to me.....
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RE: Switching to synthetic - 9/5/2007 10:47:06 AM
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Lost1
Posts: 1492
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quote:
ORIGINAL: EVOrider
I maybe switching to synthetic soon as I saw Mobile One listed for $4.98 at Advance Auto Parts here in my town. The price was the only thing that kept me from switching.
At $4.98......it really is not that much more than some of the standard 20w50 oils I have used in the past. Sounds like a good deal to me.....
That's a good price- I'd jump on it... 
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RE: Switching to synthetic - 5/9/2008 3:03:58 PM
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TexasUltra
Posts: 98
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quote:
ORIGINAL: pauletich
quote:
ORIGINAL: severum17
When switching to synthetic, do I need to change the oil twice to make sure that all of the petroleum based stuff is out, or will it mix ok?
Harley synthetic is pretty good stuff? I like to stick with factory recommendations.
MikeM
No you dont have to change it twice. Drain out the old oil and replace with synthetic. All the oils listed by Mack are great choices.
I'd like to hear more about this myself. I just purchased my 2nd HD, and they're both using different synthetics. I want to stick with one brand, so regardless of price, which is best?
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RE: Switching to synthetic - 5/9/2008 3:35:46 PM
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smitty901
Posts: 512
Joined: 2/3/2008
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You do not need to change twice.
However I would sugest you do some research. SNY3 in NOT a true sny oil.
it is an ok oil but not the best.
Also if you are planing on running it in your tranmission, give it some thought it is oil not gear lube there are a lot better options out there.
100% sny in engine and tranmission is a great idea and well woth it.
The primary should aviod sny oils a plain F+ is find there.
you will find all the reason when you do your home work
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RE: Switching to synthetic - 5/9/2008 5:36:34 PM
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Lost1
Posts: 1492
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TexasUltra
quote:
ORIGINAL: pauletich
quote:
ORIGINAL: severum17
When switching to synthetic, do I need to change the oil twice to make sure that all of the petroleum based stuff is out, or will it mix ok?
Harley synthetic is pretty good stuff? I like to stick with factory recommendations.
MikeM
No you dont have to change it twice. Drain out the old oil and replace with synthetic. All the oils listed by Mack are great choices.
I'd like to hear more about this myself. I just purchased my 2nd HD, and they're both using different synthetics. I want to stick with one brand, so regardless of price, which is best?
No need to use two different brands- any quality synthetic is more than adequate for lubricating your Harleys- regardless of the price tag stuck on the bottle or the hype spouted by salesmen and product literature. The HD engine itself is a fairly low-tech piece of equipment that doesn't put a lot of stress on the oil- the main concern (especially for Twin Cams) is heat- which does stress the oil. Synthetics are a better choice in TC's than dino for this specific reason. While an ester-based Grp V (like Redline or Motul) will stand up to heat better than a PAO Grp IV (like Mobil 1, Amsoil, et.al.,) and the Grp IV will stand up to heat better than a hydro-isomerized Grp III (Syn3, Castrol Syntec, & most other synthetics on the market,) just about any of these modern synthetics can handle the heat your engine will see and protect it into old age.
As far as "what's best", well that depends on whose product literature you believe. They all say they're "the best", but once you reach a certain point in protection, anything else is overkill. If you look at the virgin oil analyses for all the major brands they don't differ by a whole lot, so it stands to reason that they will all do a comparable job protecting the engine.
There are thousands of H-D's on the road with 100,000+ miles on them that have never had anything more special than HD, Valvoline, Castrol, Havoline, or Pennzoil dino. So IMO, and speaking as a mechanic of over 30 years, any brand name synthetic you use will see your pride & joy well into old age. Mobil 1, Redline, Amsoil, Royal Purple, and Syn 3 are all good oils, and as long as I've been riding & wrenching on bikes (since 1975) I have never seen any scientific data or conclusive proof that one synthetic oil will make an engine last longer than all the other synthetic oils on the market. There's a whole lotta anecdotal evidence and company-sponsored lab reports that try to convince you otherwise, but once you blow off all the marketing hype none of it is worth believing. I've been inside way too many engines to be swayed by some oil company parrot in a labcoat.
Between the two synthetic oils you're using I would simply choose the one that makes you happiest when you pour it into your baby's engine and that's what I'd use in both, and I'd sleep soundly at night knowing my bikes are well protected.
My .02 
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