Synthetic or oil
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
Welcome, Skeeter!
Don't be discouraged by some of the replies you will get here. There never has been a dumb question. Only dumb replies.
The HD Forums is the best on the internet. There are so many willing to help new members.
I use Amsoil synthetic oil in all 3 holes. Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-90 in the transmission.
Don't be discouraged by some of the replies you will get here. There never has been a dumb question. Only dumb replies.
The HD Forums is the best on the internet. There are so many willing to help new members.
I use Amsoil synthetic oil in all 3 holes. Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-90 in the transmission.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,732
Likes: 9,241
From: Snow Hill, NC
Lot's of opinions but you will have to make this decision....If you change your oil at 2500 -3000 miles and don't do 2000-3000 miles trips then with the area of the country you are in regular oil would be fine then again Syn will be fine also...I say it depends on what you feel comfortable with...I personally use Automotive 15w50 or 20w50 full syn that i get on sale at auto parts stores because using motor oil is ok if you don't share the crank with hte clutch....I use formula + in the primary and syn 85w140 in the tranny...Opinions will be in the 1000's....Hey the most important part is to actually change the fluids and not go over the manufacturer recommended intervals.
Have fun....
Have fun....
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 98
From: Colorado Springs
I use synthetic - Mobile 1 v-twin.
My only advice would be to use a true gear oil in the transmission - 75/90 or better. Syn 3 or any other 20/50 motor oil is way too thin for a gearbox IMHO. Yeah I know the Motor Company says it's OK, but it isn't in my bike. When I switched to 75/90 from syn 3 in my bike my shifts became significantly quieter.
My only advice would be to use a true gear oil in the transmission - 75/90 or better. Syn 3 or any other 20/50 motor oil is way too thin for a gearbox IMHO. Yeah I know the Motor Company says it's OK, but it isn't in my bike. When I switched to 75/90 from syn 3 in my bike my shifts became significantly quieter.
Last edited by ocezam; May 24, 2011 at 07:57 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,850
Likes: 220
From: Sacramento, CA.
IMO,SYN runs cooler & gives better protection, Do a "SEARCH" on this site for info. Don't let it confuse you. I run Redline Shock Proof in tranny & will go with Redline Syn Engine & Redline Primary oil at my 5,000 mile service. There are "MANY other Syn to pick from. Make sure you use a Tranny Oil & not engine oil in tranny.
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
Welcome to the forum Skeeter.
As said before, there are no dumb question's, just dumb answer's. I don't care if you ride a million miles or just start the engine in your garage, Synthetic oil is better!!! As to the brand you use, that's up to you. I would not recommend using a motor oil in the Tranny. A gear oil is better there. I use Redline with shockproof in my transmission. Mobil 1 15/50 in the Engine and Rotella-T 15/40 in my primary.
As said before, there are no dumb question's, just dumb answer's. I don't care if you ride a million miles or just start the engine in your garage, Synthetic oil is better!!! As to the brand you use, that's up to you. I would not recommend using a motor oil in the Tranny. A gear oil is better there. I use Redline with shockproof in my transmission. Mobil 1 15/50 in the Engine and Rotella-T 15/40 in my primary.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
You are still breaking in your motor at 3000 miles, some say even 5000 and regular oil still helps that process even if it is only so slightly. If you decide to switch to synthetic, you will likely stop the rest of the break in, but its also likely you can't notice the difference. So it comes down to a peace of mind. Regular oil causes no harm to the engine what so ever. Synthetic is just a little easier on the engine, expecially with the heat of the summer.
Beary
Beary
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
Hi Skeeter,
I wanted to run synthetic oil in my bike but...
I had a chat with an 'old fashion' mechanics who works for our local HD dealership. This person rebuilds HD engines for friends and for his own collection of motorcycles. He told me that all engines including the 96ci better run with mineral oil because we don't have needle bearings on our camshafts (yet). According to him, we wear out our bronze bushings faster with synthetic oil, which isn't the case with SE engines or 103ci and higher.
So I use HD 20W50 mineral in the engine during the time of the warranty, then MOTUL 3000 20W50 (approved by HD) because it has the "JASO_MA" specification for the wet clutch and primary chain. For the transmission I'm trying MOTUL 75W80 because it was blended for hard/stiff shifting gearboxes.
The engine oil must resist to heat+pressure to avoid rupture of the oil film along the cylinders and over the cams, the oil film between the wet clutch plates must not resist to pressure otherwise it slips, and the gearbox needs a higher pressure resistance for gear teeth and shifting mechanism.
The primary chain is the less demanding element of the transmission as long as the compensator doesn't fall apart!
Can one oil do everything or is it simply like the saying:
'jack of all trades master of none' ?
All depends how and where you ride.
I wanted to run synthetic oil in my bike but...
I had a chat with an 'old fashion' mechanics who works for our local HD dealership. This person rebuilds HD engines for friends and for his own collection of motorcycles. He told me that all engines including the 96ci better run with mineral oil because we don't have needle bearings on our camshafts (yet). According to him, we wear out our bronze bushings faster with synthetic oil, which isn't the case with SE engines or 103ci and higher.
So I use HD 20W50 mineral in the engine during the time of the warranty, then MOTUL 3000 20W50 (approved by HD) because it has the "JASO_MA" specification for the wet clutch and primary chain. For the transmission I'm trying MOTUL 75W80 because it was blended for hard/stiff shifting gearboxes.
The engine oil must resist to heat+pressure to avoid rupture of the oil film along the cylinders and over the cams, the oil film between the wet clutch plates must not resist to pressure otherwise it slips, and the gearbox needs a higher pressure resistance for gear teeth and shifting mechanism.
The primary chain is the less demanding element of the transmission as long as the compensator doesn't fall apart!
Can one oil do everything or is it simply like the saying:
'jack of all trades master of none' ?
All depends how and where you ride.