Come Out Of the Closet
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
Come Out Of the Closet
Okay... not that coming out, but I want to know how many use Syn 3 or any fluids in all 3 holes. In a similar thread I have said I put Syn 3 in and I got most neg feedback from posters who probably have never tried it before. I like the way my RKC is performing now, running cool, shifting smoothly and quietly. I have been a naysayer in the past, and sounded neg. to people especially the threads going to the darkside (car tires) Even tho I will never do it, and I think it is unsafe, I willl not slam anyone anymore for their beliefs. I don't mind constructive criticism, but slamming someone for their opinion is not what this site is all about. Just because you have thousands of posts does not make you an expert.
Off my soap box now
So now anyone who has used syn 3 in all 3 holes (or any other brand) feel free to chime in with good or bad experiences.. would enjoy to hear them.
Off my soap box now
So now anyone who has used syn 3 in all 3 holes (or any other brand) feel free to chime in with good or bad experiences.. would enjoy to hear them.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 6
I run Mobil 1 V Twin 20W-50 in the engine, Mobil 1 75W-90 in the tranny, and Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W-40 in the primary.
I refuse to run 20w-50 motor oil in a gear driven transmission, and the way my bike acts with 20w-50 in the pirmary is all I need to convince me that fluid is too thick to run in the primary.
Next time you drain your oil, take samples of the old oil and send to blackstone. you do this a few times, and they will help you narrow down a oil change interval that matches your riding style, not some one-liner in a service manual. these samples can also help you compare oil brands for real scientific data about which one protects your engine/tranny/primary the best.
Or, you can trade your bike in every time it hits the end of the warranty, and you can use any 20w-50 synthetic you want in all three holes!
I refuse to run 20w-50 motor oil in a gear driven transmission, and the way my bike acts with 20w-50 in the pirmary is all I need to convince me that fluid is too thick to run in the primary.
Next time you drain your oil, take samples of the old oil and send to blackstone. you do this a few times, and they will help you narrow down a oil change interval that matches your riding style, not some one-liner in a service manual. these samples can also help you compare oil brands for real scientific data about which one protects your engine/tranny/primary the best.
Or, you can trade your bike in every time it hits the end of the warranty, and you can use any 20w-50 synthetic you want in all three holes!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
Okay... not that coming out, but I want to know how many use Syn 3 or any fluids in all 3 holes. In a similar thread I have said I put Syn 3 in and I got most neg feedback from posters who probably have never tried it before. I like the way my RKC is performing now, running cool, shifting smoothly and quietly. I have been a naysayer in the past, and sounded neg. to people especially the threads going to the darkside (car tires) Even tho I will never do it, and I think it is unsafe, I willl not slam anyone anymore for their beliefs. I don't mind constructive criticism, but slamming someone for their opinion is not what this site is all about. Just because you have thousands of posts does not make you an expert.
Off my soap box now
So now anyone who has used syn 3 in all 3 holes (or any other brand) feel free to chime in with good or bad experiences.. would enjoy to hear them.
Off my soap box now
So now anyone who has used syn 3 in all 3 holes (or any other brand) feel free to chime in with good or bad experiences.. would enjoy to hear them.
All I know from personal experience is that I first ran Amsoil 20/50 in all three holes when I first got my bike in 2008 and the shifting was not to my liking. I switched to ATF in my primary and RedLine H Shockproof in the transmission and the shifting improved 90%. The ATF was great for the clutch but did not provide enough lubrication for the compensator, so I switched it out for HD Formula + and at the same time, put in Spectro 6 speed transmission fluid. That's what I'm using now, along with Mobil 1in the engine and will continue with that combination. I think that if you haven't used the RedLine or Spectro transmission fluid, you don't know what smooth shifting is but like I also stated in prior posts, it's your bike and your money, so run whatever your comfortable with....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
I'm a fan of Redline Heavy Duty Shockproof in the tranny. Hundreds of thousands of miles with trouble free transmissions. Been using it for years and years. So I really have no reason to switch. Mfg recommendations indicate a heavier oil for the transmission for years and years. Again, don't know why anyone would want to go to lighter oil in the gear box. But certainly, it's your call. It's your bike. And ultimately, it will be you that gets to deal with the issues that result (if any). Go for it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,416
Likes: 6,366
From: Honah Lee
I do not use it in transmission anymore. Do not plan on using it in primary any more. Used it for first 33K in all three holes with no oil relate problems. In my opinion there is better for transmission and too good for primary mainly due to detergent additives in it. I'll just stick to formula+ . Baker Transmission suggest not using it in transmissions. Have found out on my last trip that my bike will do a 1/4" drop on dip stick with car oil Moble I 15-50 Syn (got a free case) as compared to SYN3 20-50. However not too scientific research. Oil has been in there a year and has about 4k on it but is still clean looking. Trip was about 400 miles over a 3 day period. I was never over 65mph . However I do tend to get reasonable price and just wonder in amazement when people think $17 a quart is a good deal and even to fail to mention $20 shipping. Guess I am just cheap? But I do free labor for a burger, fries and a drink... Retired life is great
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Aug 24, 2012 at 02:29 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Western WA
At the 1K service, I had the dealership put Syn3 in all 3 holes (the service was "free" - included as part of my purchase). About 300 miles after that service was done, I got fed up with how the clutch engagement/disengagement was acting, so I bought some Redline V-Twin Primary Case oil and replaced the Syn3 in the primary with that. Major difference immediately in how the clutch behaved - much smoother, so I consider it $ well spent, and will not go back to Syn3 in the primary.
I am coming up on a fluid change interval, and intend to try Redline Transmission Oil with Shockproof in the trans and see how that works in comparison to the Syn3.
With my Evo Wide Glide, I always ran Mobil1 20-50 in the engine, Mobil1 70/90 in the trans, and H-D primary fluid in the primary with good results. But I'd never considered Redline prior to joining this forum.
I am coming up on a fluid change interval, and intend to try Redline Transmission Oil with Shockproof in the trans and see how that works in comparison to the Syn3.
With my Evo Wide Glide, I always ran Mobil1 20-50 in the engine, Mobil1 70/90 in the trans, and H-D primary fluid in the primary with good results. But I'd never considered Redline prior to joining this forum.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,757
Likes: 3,175
From: Central Indiana
Okay... not that coming out, but I want to know how many use Syn 3 or any fluids in all 3 holes. In a similar thread I have said I put Syn 3 in and I got most neg feedback from posters who probably have never tried it before. I like the way my RKC is performing now, running cool, shifting smoothly and quietly. I have been a naysayer in the past, and sounded neg. to people especially the threads going to the darkside (car tires) Even tho I will never do it, and I think it is unsafe, I willl not slam anyone anymore for their beliefs. I don't mind constructive criticism, but slamming someone for their opinion is not what this site is all about. Just because you have thousands of posts does not make you an expert.
Off my soap box now
So now anyone who has used syn 3 in all 3 holes (or any other brand) feel free to chime in with good or bad experiences.. would enjoy to hear them.
Off my soap box now
So now anyone who has used syn 3 in all 3 holes (or any other brand) feel free to chime in with good or bad experiences.. would enjoy to hear them.
I ran Mobil 1 V-twin in all 3, until my transmission disintegrated at 52k. I do not believe this was a lubrication problem, but a design problem that I still believe should be a recall by HD, but I digress. Since then I have gone to Redline heavy shockproof in the tranny, but continue to use MObil 1 in the engine and primary and have discovered the smoother shifting benefits others mention. I am considering redline primary fluid also, since I have already lost one compensator. Now that MObil 1 is up to $11 a quart in my area I may even go to redline oil in the motor.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
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Thank you all for good constructive thoughts. I have run different combinations, My RKC is my 25th bike (used to Motocross) and my 5th harley. I am just suprised at how well it runs. I guess everyone likes how their clutch feels and different for every person. My Indy who is a machinest for motorcycle engines for 25 years and who is sought after nation wide for his expertise refuses to ever put synthetics in his engines. He does my work for me, gotta admit he and I disagree about the synthetic issue, does not call it a bad thing, but says dino oil is the better choice overall.
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 536
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And HDV-Glide I was not pointing a finger directly at you, I was making blanket statements. I have seen it on other threads too, with many different posts, so no offense, just tired of the neg. naysayers, including myself at times, hence the dark side statement.
