Syn 3 or no?
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 654
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From: oklahoma
Syn 3 or no?
I've got a '12 SG and I'm going to be changing all the fluids soon. I was wondering if there's a reason to use the Syn 3 in the primary and trans vs specific primary and trans synthetic fluids
Last edited by escalade6103; Mar 26, 2014 at 02:13 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
I bet your manual says primary+.
consider that the clutch disks absorb fluid, and the clutch and primary will hold about 6 or 7 ounces on a change...so about a 1/6th.
to "randomly" change fluids gets you a possibility of fluids that don't blend well with each other.
I got a bunch of bikes new and old, I really have found no magic fluids, so i just use what the various manuals call for.
the primary will take about 38 ounces when you change, so you'll need 3 bottles if you go with primary+ in the tranny too.
If you wanna be wacky like me, I drain the primary overnight on the jiffy stand and zip tie the clutch lever to spread the disks and plates to get out as much fluid as i can.
in the morning, i will start the bike briefly to spin anymore fluid out of the clutch.
ALL fluid levels on the bike require a visual check like in the manual, not a "set" fluid fill on a change
The 09 was my first 'modern bike', I tried syn 3 and didn't like the clutch action, dumped it out for primary+.
Mike
consider that the clutch disks absorb fluid, and the clutch and primary will hold about 6 or 7 ounces on a change...so about a 1/6th.
to "randomly" change fluids gets you a possibility of fluids that don't blend well with each other.
I got a bunch of bikes new and old, I really have found no magic fluids, so i just use what the various manuals call for.
the primary will take about 38 ounces when you change, so you'll need 3 bottles if you go with primary+ in the tranny too.
If you wanna be wacky like me, I drain the primary overnight on the jiffy stand and zip tie the clutch lever to spread the disks and plates to get out as much fluid as i can.
in the morning, i will start the bike briefly to spin anymore fluid out of the clutch.
ALL fluid levels on the bike require a visual check like in the manual, not a "set" fluid fill on a change
The 09 was my first 'modern bike', I tried syn 3 and didn't like the clutch action, dumped it out for primary+.
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Mar 26, 2014 at 11:00 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
I've just had my 1000 mile service done and struggled with the same issue. There's much written about the issue here if you search. I've had Beemers for years and I've always used Mobil 1 in the engine and Spectro synthetic gear lube in the tranny. Apparently HD does not make a separate gear oil based on the premise that the shear strength and viscosity of the Syn3 is sufficient for use in the tranny. I've also learned that the viscosity numbers between engine oils and gear oils do not match up.
While I frankly have reservations about Syn3 since it is a Citgo produced product (because of questions re engineering and the Venezulean source) if you have any type of warranty issue you want to have a HD product in the holes. This stuff about HD having to prove the lubrication is the cause of the warranty failure is nonsense. Once out of warranty I'll likely go with Mobil 1 V Twin in the engine and primary case and Spectro Six Speed Synthetic in the tranny.
While I frankly have reservations about Syn3 since it is a Citgo produced product (because of questions re engineering and the Venezulean source) if you have any type of warranty issue you want to have a HD product in the holes. This stuff about HD having to prove the lubrication is the cause of the warranty failure is nonsense. Once out of warranty I'll likely go with Mobil 1 V Twin in the engine and primary case and Spectro Six Speed Synthetic in the tranny.
They is nothing wrong with syn 3 , use it if you want. Citgo no longer fools with oil. Someone else bottles the syn 3 to Harley's specs.
I use mobil 1 15/50 in the engine and formula plus in the tranny and primary.
I use mobil 1 15/50 in the engine and formula plus in the tranny and primary.
Last edited by crimson13; Mar 26, 2014 at 05:03 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,522
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From: Holly Springs, North Carolina
If it is what you want to use, use it. Nothing wrong with it. A lot of us on here use different stuff & combos. Personal choice.
Last edited by BigDawgQC; Mar 26, 2014 at 06:14 AM.