Mobile 1 15w-50 in primary?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,271
Likes: 29
From: Green Country,Oklahoma
I use Harley primary oil in the eg,75-90 syn.gear oil in the Sportster no problems,don't see why you could not put that into a bt primary if you wanted to,clutch material is the same.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From:
I agree with your technical points, and used to make the same statement.
Until it was pointed out that when using Syn in the primary your change interval doubles. So the $$ ROI works out the same for either dino or syn, but the labor is halved when using syn.
This makes the 5 qt jug of M1 15W-50 attractive.
Until it was pointed out that when using Syn in the primary your change interval doubles. So the $$ ROI works out the same for either dino or syn, but the labor is halved when using syn.
This makes the 5 qt jug of M1 15W-50 attractive.
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Smithfield, NC
I'm a religious convert to the ATF in the primary group. I couldn't believe how smooth my clutch engagement got with the ATF. I thought something was wrong with my clutch when running regular dino oil in the primary. It acted like the plates were warped. Grabby and awful. Tried the ATF and all is right with my ride.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 73
From: MA
I agree with your technical points, and used to make the same statement.
Until it was pointed out that when using Syn in the primary your change interval doubles. So the $$ ROI works out the same for either dino or syn, but the labor is halved when using syn.
This makes the 5 qt jug of M1 15W-50 attractive.
Until it was pointed out that when using Syn in the primary your change interval doubles. So the $$ ROI works out the same for either dino or syn, but the labor is halved when using syn.
This makes the 5 qt jug of M1 15W-50 attractive.
Where does it say your intervals double with SYN3? Can you provide data? My manual states primary change every 10K whick I fall into and the tranny every 20K, so I am changing that early. Not a great expense there.
Last edited by soos; Jun 19, 2009 at 01:46 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From:
Code:
Please inform all dealership personnel that the extended service intervals for SYN3 have been approved through the Harley-Davidson Motor Company are as follows:All Big Twin:Crankcase: Replace after first 1,000 break-in, then every 5,000 thereafter (unchanged)Primary: Replace after first 1,000 break-in,then every 10,000 thereafter or prior to winter orextended storage periodsTransmission: Replace after first 1,000 break-in, then every 20,000 thereafter or prior to winter orextended storage periods
and fwiw, I mentioned syn (vs. dino), not necessarily referring to SYN3.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
Likes: 85
From: Nevada
I agree with your technical points, and used to make the same statement.
Until it was pointed out that when using Syn in the primary your change interval doubles. So the $$ ROI works out the same for either dino or syn, but the labor is halved when using syn.
This makes the 5 qt jug of M1 15W-50 attractive.
Until it was pointed out that when using Syn in the primary your change interval doubles. So the $$ ROI works out the same for either dino or syn, but the labor is halved when using syn.
This makes the 5 qt jug of M1 15W-50 attractive.
I still like the idea of using a synthetic in the primary, not sure about M1 15W-50 tho.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 4
From: Oakley, MI
Thanks for all the replys. I have put about 200 miles on since I changed the primary to 15w-50 and so far it seems to work great. I don't notice any issues or slipping yet. I like the idea of spending $22 for a 5 gal jug of oil which will fill the crank and primary. Add $10.50 for a chrome filter and you have a very cheap oil and primary change. I paid $12.00 for the redline in the trans. I would hate to see what the dealer would have charged for this. It only took me 2 beers to do the work myself and it was very easy. Have a great weekend.
-sunnenman
-sunnenman
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 73
From: MA
Those appear to be the intervals specified in HP bulletin 849:
Code:
Please inform all dealership personnel that the extended service intervals for SYN3 have been approved through the Harley-Davidson Motor Company are as follows:All Big Twin:Crankcase: Replace after first 1,000 break-in, then every 5,000 thereafter (unchanged)Primary: Replace after first 1,000 break-in,then every 10,000 thereafter or prior to winter orextended storage periodsTransmission: Replace after first 1,000 break-in, then every 20,000 thereafter or prior to winter orextended storage periods
and fwiw, I mentioned syn (vs. dino), not necessarily referring to SYN3.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 5
From: Michigan
I personally don't think we need high-tech oil in the primary, and I use a common fossil 20w50 which works very well. All you need is something to cool the cluch disks and lube the chain, which doesn't take much. A friend who's an engine builder uses ATF Type F with success.
The use of some additives like moly is good for the engine but has no place as a coolant for clutch disks. That said, I've never heard of an HD owner who's had a problem with using a high-grade synthetic in the primary, except possibly one. Someone in a recent thread here mentioned clutch slippage after swapping cams (to 255's), and he was using Amsoil 20w50. He was going to try a more mundane oil and report back but if he did I never saw his response. There was no indication that the oil was the culprit, but I have the same engine/cam setup and have no clutch slippage.
The use of some additives like moly is good for the engine but has no place as a coolant for clutch disks. That said, I've never heard of an HD owner who's had a problem with using a high-grade synthetic in the primary, except possibly one. Someone in a recent thread here mentioned clutch slippage after swapping cams (to 255's), and he was using Amsoil 20w50. He was going to try a more mundane oil and report back but if he did I never saw his response. There was no indication that the oil was the culprit, but I have the same engine/cam setup and have no clutch slippage.
That was me Iclick. When I had the clutch slippage I decided to switch to Formula 1 and I replaced the stock diaphram with the SE high perf diaphram at the same time. I have to believe the slippage was due to the clutch spring and not the oil. All is good now.