Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

When to use synthetic

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 01:59 AM
  #11  
RenoGlide's Avatar
RenoGlide
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Reno, NV
Default RE: When to use synthetic

Just a note: All HD Screamin Eagle bikes come with Syn3 from the factory. Maybe its not a pure synthetic, but you get the point that its ok to change it at anytime you want to.

Jim
www.FastAire.com
 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 02:04 AM
  #12  
btefft's Avatar
btefft
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,290
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, Ga
Default RE: When to use synthetic

I changed to Syn 3 at the 1,000 mile service.

Hack
 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 02:05 AM
  #13  
SoCal_Pappy's Avatar
SoCal_Pappy
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,602
Likes: 5
From: Southern California - Palm Springs Area
Default RE: When to use synthetic

Went with AMSOIL @ my 1,000 mile service[8D]
 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 02:39 AM
  #14  
Firecap501's Avatar
Firecap501
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 733
Likes: 0
Default RE: When to use synthetic

Had the dealer put HD syn in all 3 holes at the 1000 I just did my first oil change and put Mobil1 20/50 in the crank case and changed the tranny out to Bel Ray 85/140 all anyone had, but I will have to change everything again in the next week due to chewed up O rings and will hopefully find the Mobile I for the tranny.

I will say that the 5th gear whine is almost gone using the 85/140. I switched to the 85/140 from all of the GREAT information I have gotten from here, hell everyone on here is the reason I did my own oil change and bought the service manual, already made my money back.

Just keep reading this place is a gold mine.
 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 05:59 AM
  #15  
GlennsGlide's Avatar
GlennsGlide
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: When to use synthetic

Hi Guys
I use Mobil 1 full syn in the motor from 1000miles. now ( 5000miles )
Redline heavy in the trans ( less 4th gear wine )
ATF full syn in the primary ( big clutch improvement )
I've been using an Australian manufactured oil ( Bimrose ) in my high milage diesel van for 3 Years ( 160 klms ) Great product.
Bimrose sent me some 25w- 60w Dyno oil to try in my 2006 Ultra classic ( suppose to be the ants pants for noisey Tc88's )
Evo guys have been using for years.
 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 06:13 AM
  #16  
The Pawnbroker's Avatar
The Pawnbroker
Road Captain
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 635
Likes: 14
From: Annapolis, MD
Default RE: When to use synthetic

Ultrasweet,

I think you are referring to the fact that in the "old" days, you wouldn't switch to a synthetic for so many thousand miles because synthetic was too slippery to allow the rings to seat properly. Sometimes it would just take a lot longer and in other cases they would never seat properly. As far as I know, these new engines are built with closer tolerances and/or fully break in much sooner. Can any engine builders out there shed some more light on this?
 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 08:26 AM
  #17  
bay13's Avatar
bay13
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 1
From: Northern VA, Madison GA
Default RE: When to use synthetic

I switched at the 3K mark, cause the label on the Redline 20W50 said to wait till 3K, so at the 1K mark I put in dyno oil.
 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 09:46 AM
  #18  
Chicago Spike's Avatar
Chicago Spike
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 7
From: St. Charles, IL
Default RE: When to use synthetic

METRIC, that "J" term is just as bad as the "N" word people, bikes can switch as soon as they get the bike home. I switched to full synthetics in my Honda's at 600 miles and not one problem, leak, or clutch slip ever. My H-D's I did the same thing, my FatBoy I purchased used so as soon as I got it home I changed the oil with synthetic and my Ropad Glide I just swapped to AMSOIL at the 1000 mile check-up.

The old wives tale of switching before 5,000 miles will make all your seals, gaskets and mufflers leak..... is pure BS. Many vehicles come from the factory, including the Screaming Eagle engines, with synthetic. So switch
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 10:25 AM
  #19  
HogBack's Avatar
HogBack
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Snowflake, Arizona
Default RE: When to use synthetic

Hey Ultrasweet... you have a great bike, best there is. Not to throw water on what others have said, nor to sound like a know it all... but I would not switch before 5,000 on the motor. Here are my thoughts:
I have built small block Chevys and Mopars, incuding for the drag strip. The reason to stay with the convential oil is to allow the piston rings to "seat" to the cylinder walls. As you will remember, the cylinder walls are lubricated with the oil... and the synthetic oil is such a great product, but so "slick" and has so much less friction than does dino oil, that the piston rings are not able to seat properly.
You could switch on the transmission as soon as you want, but if it was my new bike, I would hold off till 5,000 on the motor. I have used syn for many years, and like Mobil 1, Red Line, Amzoil... currently have Red Line in the motor and transmission, but I use HD Forumla + in the primary... On the primary I like to not use synthetic... as on the clutch you do WANT friction.... IMO many of the clutch problems on bikes are the result of synthetic... Good luck and ride safe...

Hogback
 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 10:34 AM
  #20  
StreetGlider56's Avatar
StreetGlider56
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Default RE: When to use synthetic

Another OIL debate, this is gonna be fun...

I just went with everybody and use a quart of each, Amsoil, Redline, Synth3, Mobile1
I will say this, my boss is an Amsoil dealer sooooo... I use Amsoil...
Yea I'm a creature of convenience..

[sm=deadhorse.gif]
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:34 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE