Synthetic Oils??
Harley EngineDiscuss Synthetic Oils?? in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; After hearing all the possible problems with cam chain tensioners, I am considering changing over to synthetic oils in my 2003 TC88B engine, after I inspect, and repair the tensionrs ...
After hearing all the possible problems with cam chain tensioners, I am considering changing over to synthetic oils in my 2003 TC88B engine, after I inspect, and repair the tensionrs if needed. But after doing some research I am totally confused, as normal there is a vast range of opinions about the synthetics from eng failure to best thing since sliced bread, what’s up??
I switched to Synthetic at 1000 miles, running great with no problems.
Started using Amsoil synthetic from HD Synthetic this season haven't noticed any real difference between the two. My bike runs a little cooler and maybe a little smoother going from conventional oil to synthetic.
The discussion on synthetic vs dino oil has been around since the first motorcycle forums appeared years ago.
Looking back over the years there was a lot of controversy. Even our trusted Harley mechanics would say things like Synthetic is too slick and will make your bearings skate and wear them flat. Think about it, if they slkated then their would be no friction and no wear. At the time Harley only sold dino oil at about the sameprice as premium synthetic and would not indorse synthetic. But by law they couldn't void a warrenty unless they furnished a mandatory oil free of charge. So I've been using sysnthetic Mobile One for more years than I can remember in two holes.
If you research synthetic you'll find that it is no mysterious concocksion...it jUst has uniform sized molecules and thus more in contact with the surfaces making it superior in antifriction. It can withstand higher temperatures without destrying it's lubricating properties. It is just like it was invented for a hot air cooled Harley. If it wasn't for the combustion acid and contaminents the lubricating properties would probably do the job for 25,000 miles without a change. Have no fear, now that Harley sells and recommends it what more could you ask for? Sometimes Harley takes years to come around to what we have known all along.
Now, from what Ihave been told on some metric bikes where the clutch shares the same motor oil with the engine they say that it's possible that the clutch plates will slip but I might even question that. Good thing that is something that doesn't concern us Harley riders.
I'm no oil expert, but I will always use synthetic.
I have used Synthetic in all my vehicles for twenty + years. I still own a old Porsche 911 (air cooled) that I bought new, with Mobil 1 oil as OME. Recommended oil change 9000 miles. What more can I say?
Mobile vtwin not 1, and use mobile 90-140 in trans syn.. That is a reccomendation from mobile. I changed at 1000 miles on 2000 FXDWG, and have used it in all my cars and trucks. Had a 1988 BMW 735I nothing but mobile in all holes put 350k miles on it guy that bought car pulled heads and couldn't beleive they looke brand new.
I've used Amsoil in my '04 FL since 1000 miles (now 45,000). No problems. What did stand out is that the bike so obviously runs much cooler. If I let the bike sit an hour, even less, in the summer, I have to use the choke to start it up. I put my hand on the head and the thing is very cool to the touch. No bike I ever had cooled down that fast before (using regular oil)
Syns are the only way to go in your HD. I run them in everything (eng. trans. primary). You don't need a motorcycle specific synthetic. You'll just be lining the oil company's wallet. Pic a good one (Mobile, Castrol, Amsoil) and make sure it's the right weight. I run a GL5 in the trans. and motor oil in the primary. Done this in six different Harleys for a total of about 100,000 mi. w/ no problems. None. Nada. Evos and Twin Cams. Got better mileage, motor made less noise, and saved about 3 bucks per qt.
I keep saying this because I believe, red line oil from just after break-in has served me well. All three holes, one oil for each. First cam chain chain tensioners replaced at 42,500. Just checked at 75,000 by Harley tech and all is well, showing little to no wear. Bike is 05 FLHTI stock and not abused other than lots of miles. South Fl bike run in high temps that rarely misses a day of riding. Goal is 100,000, only time will tell. I'll keep using red line syn and keep you posted. Be safe all. Merry christmas.
The discussion on synthetic vs dino oil has been around since the first motorcycle forums appeared years ago.
Looking back over the years there was a lot of controversy. Even our trusted Harley mechanics would say things like Synthetic is too slick and will make your bearings skate and wear them flat. Think about it, if they slkated then their would be no friction and no wear. At the time Harley only sold dino oil at about the sameprice as premium synthetic and would not indorse synthetic. But by law they couldn't void a warrenty unless they furnished a mandatory oil free of charge. So I've been using sysnthetic Mobile One for more years than I can remember in two holes.
If you research synthetic you'll find that it is no mysterious concocksion...it jUst has uniform sized molecules and thus more in contact with the surfaces making it superior in antifriction. It can withstand higher temperatures without destrying it's lubricating properties. It is just like it was invented for a hot air cooled Harley. If it wasn't for the combustion acid and contaminents the lubricating properties would probably do the job for 25,000 miles without a change. Have no fear, now that Harley sells and recommends it what more could you ask for? Sometimes Harley takes years to come around to what we have known all along.
Now, from what Ihave been told on some metric bikes where the clutch shares the same motor oil with the engine they say that it's possible that the clutch plates will slip but I might even question that. Good thing that is something that doesn't concern us Harley riders.
I'm no oil expert, but I will always use synthetic.
I run a V-Rod, shared oil, no problems, shifts smoother and even eliminated that undeniable, ever present, notorious "Harley Klunk" when shifting! That in itself was worth it! Now for the older designs with separate Transmission they do make a synthetic Tranny oil - I well recommend it.
Synthetic Oils?? 
After hearing all the possible problems with cam chain tensioners, I am considering changing over to synthetic oils in my 2003 TC88B engine, after I inspect, and repair the tensionrs if needed. But after doing some research I am totally confused, as normal there is a vast range of opinions about the synthetics from eng failure to best thing since sliced bread, what’s up?? 
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