Oil changes
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Novice
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 17
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From: Lakewood, CO
Oil changes
I am about to take delivery on a 2005 Sporster 1200 Custom. I have heard that you have to change the oil at 1000 miles. I have also heard that you should change it at 250, 500 and 1000 miles, so what gives? The salesman at the H-D dealership told me that after 1000 miles I could use synthetic oil...so he recomended a Harley synthetic, he claimed it was better because it is designed for air cooled engines. I am not sure if I am conviced of that, I understand that most synthetic oils are pretty much the same. I was thinking of going to Mobile 1 synthetic, I have been using it my truck for some time and its no problem.
-Eric
-Eric
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 4
From: Midland, TX
RE: Oil changes
There is no need to change the oil before 1000 miles. The only reason they don't put synthetic in from the get go is due to cost.
There are better oils than HD Syn3. They include Amsoil and Mobil 1 V-Twin. There's not a lot of difference in cost.
I'd stick with HD oil filters and avoid Fram's like the plague.
You can run the 20W-50 synthetic in the crankcase as well as the primary.
Poke around in the General Tech section of this board and you'll find a couple of threads on oil. I am certain you will find that your bike runs much better with synthetic.
There are better oils than HD Syn3. They include Amsoil and Mobil 1 V-Twin. There's not a lot of difference in cost.
I'd stick with HD oil filters and avoid Fram's like the plague.
You can run the 20W-50 synthetic in the crankcase as well as the primary.
Poke around in the General Tech section of this board and you'll find a couple of threads on oil. I am certain you will find that your bike runs much better with synthetic.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,471
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Oil changes
The reason some people change oils at 250, 500, and 1000 is so that if there are any chunks floating in your engine they'll be gone. As oldgeezer said, the only reason not to go synthetic from the git-go is cost. And the HD Syn 3 ain't the best. Look back through the Tech sections and you'll find several oil threads; one of 'em has some results of testing I had done on Mobil 1 V-Twin, Mobil 1 car, HD Syn 3, and Mobil 1 MX-4t. The HD came in last place of the 20w-50 oils (MX-4T is 10w-40). It's good oil, but there are better and cheaper. I like Wix oil filters, also sold under the NAPA brand. Better filters than HD, and generally a little less expensive. They even got them in chrome for all y'all "shine 'em" freaks. And again repeating oldgeezer, avoid Fram.
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