regular or synthetic??

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Jun 28, 2008 | 11:53 PM

bassbasher

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3rd Gear

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regular or synthetic??

Hey guys and girls, got a question......got a 1986 Heritage Softail with 13,000 miles on it, the engine was rebuilt from the crankcase up (not sure when, I'm the second owner).........in this case, would you go with regular or synthetic oil? I've heard pros and cons either way, not really sure which would be best. My gut tells me just to go with regular, I dunno.
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Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks and ride safe.

Jun 29, 2008 | 01:00 AM

meccariello

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RE: regular or synthetic??

amsoil (synth) is supposed to be "really amazing"

Jun 29, 2008 | 01:25 AM

Sftail1990

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RE: regular or synthetic??

I have run Amsoil in mine forever it seems, motor in the Softail has probably 150,000 total miles on it and only have a .005 overbore in it, that was because I wanted to go with new pistons 10:1 and it still had less than .001 taper, so it didn't really need the overbore.&nbsp\\; YOu can't have any leaks, cuz that synth will find it if you do, withstands temps to over 600 F and vaporizes less.&nbsp\\; I would run synth if I were you, air cooled motors love the temp capability without the loss in viscosity also.&nbsp\\; Regular Dino is good but the additives to go with 20-50w causes viscosity breakdown earlier in Dino oil.

Jun 29, 2008 | 02:41 AM

BigSeaDaddy

Road Captain

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From: Southern Maryland for now

RE: regular or synthetic??

Due to your motor being produced prior to 1998 I would go with the synthetic. I say this because in 1998 is when engineers started seeing the effects of Ethanol on plastic and rubber parts in motors. Ethanol a natural solvent dries out parts that are not designed for it. Regular gas is as high as E-10 is some states and you need all the help you can get. I feel that syn's help with this issue, that said AmsOil is real good and cheaper then the Harley Synth.

Either way we all agree that synthetics will make you run a little cooler and its viscosity lasts a hell of allot longer.

My two cents...

Jun 29, 2008 | 03:14 AM

BULL65

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RE: regular or synthetic??

I am no mechanic. I personally DO NOT run synthetic in my EVO. Three reasons. My buddy has 3 EVOs. He ran regular V Twin 20/50 with no Problems and they all had between 15 - 51,000 miles. He has had problems with the seals leaking (lower) on all three bike since the switch Synthetic&nbsp\\;2 years ago. On 2 of the bikes he has changed them twice. So far 47,000 miles on my Fatboy&nbsp\\;no leaks. I'm believer if it aint broke, don't fix it. If it is a good thing don't change it. I have several buddies that have Twin Cams and run Synthetic since new with NO problems and they highly recommend it.
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Twin Cam - YES
EVO - NO

Jun 29, 2008 | 01:38 PM

Other Sheep

Ultimate HDF Member

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From: Escondido, CA

RE: regular or synthetic??

I ran Mobil 1 in my 99 Heritage Evo for 45,000 miles with no leaks. Ran like new when I sold it a couple years ago.

Jun 29, 2008 | 01:52 PM

SPRINGER

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RE: regular or synthetic??

This is the kind of question that can cause some interesting debates. I honestly don't know which syn is best, but I use Moble 1 in mine. Either way, I have heard that syn makes your engine run cooler. I can go longer between oil changes using syn, but it is possible in the long run, that the cost is about the same, don't know for sure. A good friend recommended it and also my independent mechanic said that is was better, so I went with syn. I guess which brand you like is up to you, but I'll stay with Moble 1.