thoughts, consequences
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: Northern Colorado
A lot of vehicles these days come from the factory with synthetic in them including Harley CVO. Synthetic oil is not detrimental to engine break-in like it use to be and I'm not even sure that was ever the case. It might just be an old mechanics myth but it's definitely not true today.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
FYI, SYN 3 is not a full synthetic, it's a blend. I would have waited until 970 miles. Just kidding, find another mechanic. You didn't hurt a thing. Go with Mobil 1 next time, it's a full synthetic and much cheaper than the Harley crap.
Thread Starter
|
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
Thanks for being polite everyone. I had already switched last summer. She was due for a change and I was taking a long trip so I changed it then. When I got back the season was about over so I changed the oil again, thinking storage was around the corner, but I ended getting another 500 miles on here before putting her up for the winter. The same mechanic is giving me a line about acid eating the bearings as it sits all winter with oil that only has 500 highway miles on it?? I figured I'd change it just before the season starts again this spring. I think I'll figure out how to tune the TTS myself at this point. I can do about everything else myself. Time to learn something neew.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 507
Likes: 1
From: Portland, OR
No? Consider the question answered.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
Way too many old wives tales floating around out there these days.
You didn't hurt a thing by changing @ 960
Anybody really believe 40 miles is going to make a difference?
There isn't any kind of internal counter or anything. LOL
You didn't hurt a thing by changing @ 960
Anybody really believe 40 miles is going to make a difference?
There isn't any kind of internal counter or anything. LOL
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Every one says they changed at XXXX miles and it didn't see a problem. I always wondered what problem do they expect to see?
Are you comfortable with having around 97% to 99% break-in completed at 1000 miles?
After the first 100 miles, you have probably about 5% to 8% break-in left and only 1% to 3% break-in left around 1000 miles. There is still some breaking-in going on at 3000 miles, but it is so little at the point, you aren't going to see much difference (problem?) from the 1000 mile break-in. And its not that you don't get continued break-in with synthetic, its just not as good and it takes longer. So the question is are you comfortable with having around 97 to 99% break-in at 1000 miles?
40 miles is insignificant.
Beary
Are you comfortable with having around 97% to 99% break-in completed at 1000 miles?
After the first 100 miles, you have probably about 5% to 8% break-in left and only 1% to 3% break-in left around 1000 miles. There is still some breaking-in going on at 3000 miles, but it is so little at the point, you aren't going to see much difference (problem?) from the 1000 mile break-in. And its not that you don't get continued break-in with synthetic, its just not as good and it takes longer. So the question is are you comfortable with having around 97 to 99% break-in at 1000 miles?
40 miles is insignificant.
Beary
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 144
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
+1 on the 30/60/30 break in seating your rings... I went to Mobil 1 V twin at around 900 miles, I have 19300 now and don't burn a drop of oil between changes. Went back to dino at 15200 miles, due for an oil change now at 4100 miles.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
From: Sparks, NV
On my 07 SG I changed the oil between 900-1000 to Mobil 1 VT. Change it every 5-6K. I now have over 48K miles on it and it has never burned oil. At the last oil change I switched to the regular Mobil Syn (car oil). Have not experienced any problems with that either and am ready for my next change soon. Ride safe.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
Likes: 87
From:
The thing you need to worry about changing is your mechanic. These new engines may be high tech but I doubt seriously that they are able to tell the difference in 40 miles. Not that it matters. CVOs get syn at zero miles. There are quite a few old timers that swear a motor should be broken in with dino oil because syn is too slick but that seems questionable today with modern metallurgy. Anyway, I think you are good to go.
