NO REASON means that to the best of my knowledge there would be no reason not to use synthetic oil, now or at any time in the future. It is my understanding that synthetic oils are better than natural oils. By better, I mean higher quality and hold up to wear longer. I have never come across any information that would suggest that using synthetic oil from day one would cause any problems. I've never read anything that says natural oils should be used for break in periods. If I'm wrong about anything I've said, please enlighten me.

 

Seating the rings is important, and they say fossil is better for this. Don't change it until 1000 miles. Or change it to a synthetic break in which Royal Purple has for this purpose. Never used it though so can't vouch.

 

Waiting to the 1k mark myself.

 

I waited until 1K but then again mine didn't sit around for a couple years.
The key for sure is to make sure the rings eat well.

 

When I changed my cylinders to 103 TR (TMan) said I shouldn't use synthetic for first 1000 miles so rings would seat ... I deferred to his judgment.

 

This debate over synthetic verses fossil oils for break in periods has inspired me to do a little research. Up until now, it has been my opinion that synthetic oil is the better product and I could see no reason not to use it for break in. My research tells me that I was only half right. The synthetic oil is better at reducing friction and wear, but not recommended for break in. I found this interesting web site about it ( www.ntnoa.org/enginebreakin ). For those of you that I argued with about this subject, I stand corrected. You are never too old to learn something new I guess. I certainly hope that the OP didn't listen to my advice.

 

I thought the Screamin' Eagle CVO's came from the factory with synthetic.

 

I believe that is correct. So now what? I suppose I could just ask the fine folks at HD for their position on the issue. In that article I mentioned it said not to use synthetic for break in because the rings would glaze. I don't understand why. I would think you would want the best lubrication possible for break in or any time for that matter. All I have is my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions !!!

 

I don't buy into the synthetic oil thing at all...I think it is all BS to get people to buy an overpriced product. There are two kinds of oil...clean and dirty...if you keep clean oil in a motor, if will run virtually forever. Oil does not wear out, it gets contaminated with combustion byproducts. Leaving a "better" oil in a motor for a longer period of time,(as all synthetic oil manufacturers recommend) will not make your motor last longer. Synthetic oil becomes contaminated just as fast as regular oil, and starts wearing out your motor. Your money would be better spent on more oil changes. I am an oil change fanatic... religiously at 3000...2500 is even better. I have a 26 year old Harley, 25 year old motor home, 22 year old lawn tractor, all have the original motors that have not be rebuilt and run like new.

 

Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Synthetic oil can be run from the first minute, unless a particular engine builder says not to. Why/why not? Sticking to new HDs - the stock cylinder and ring material will easily break in with synthetic, while other manufacturer's material may not break in as easily/as soon. Since HD's CVO bikes start their life with HD synthetic, the logical conclusion is that they will break in correctly, or HD would be awash with "uses too much oil" claims.

Is synthetic better than regular oil? Here's a few ways to look at this - One, yes it is because all, each, every single solitary synthetic oil molecule is identical to every other molecule. They are all "long-chain" molecules, and that is what you want your oil molecules to be. Regular oil is made of both long-chain and short-chain molecules. Without going into the chemistry/physics of that, I'll just say that the short-chains are less desirable. Two, no it isn't better - change your oil every 2500 - 3000 miles and you probably won't ever see an advantage to running synthetic. Three, yes it is better because most synthetics will stand up to higher temperatures before breaking down. Live in a hot climate and do parades? Use synthetic for peace of mind. But then if you do a parade in Phoenix in August and go home and change your oil, you probably won't care!

The old saw about oil not wearing out is something I find a bit unpalatable. While it is true that the biggest reason an oil is no longer serviceable is due to combustion product contamination, it is also true that as oil passes through the gear train of an engine (and even more so through a transmission) the molecules are literally ripped apart, cut up by the gears and other shearing surfaces. That is why the viscosity starts dropping immediately after you start the bike. So, oil does indeed wear out, which is another reason synthetic is superior to regular oil. The regular oil has those short-chain molecules to start with, while the synthetic has all long-chain, and so it takes longer for the viscosity to drop with the synthetic.