Syn 3 oil change intervals Harley Oil & Lubrication Discuss Syn 3 oil change intervals in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; I have been using Syn 3 in my bike and changing the oil every 5,000 miles. I guess I bought into the extened oil change intervals. My cam tensioners and ...

[flathead512]

I have been using Syn 3 in my bike and changing the oil every 5,000 miles. I guess I bought into the extened oil change intervals. My cam tensioners and cams were worn out at 19,000, now I'm wondering if I should change the oil every 2,500?

[HarleyCruiser]

The chain tentioneres wear out faster on some bikes due to the roughness of the chain, not due to the oil change interval.
It is luck of the draw.
You can polish your chain while off and increase the interval of the wear.
I change my oil at 5000, got forty five thousand miles out of the first set of tentioners and they were not wore out. I am at ninety now, and just ready to change them again

Originally Posted by flathead512

I have been using Syn 3 in my bike and changing the oil every 5,000 miles. I guess I bought into the extened oil change intervals. My cam tensioners and cams were worn out at 19,000, now I'm wondering if I should change the oil every 2,500?

[sgtcowboyusmc]

I got 50,000 out of my Cam tensioners and I change every 5,000 miles with Syn 3. Starting with my next oil change I am going to Mobile 1 15 W - 50 as others have recommended here.
I am not an expert but I think HarleyCruiser is probably right as I have heard several people complain about not getting 20,000 out of theirs and others getting around 45,000 to 50,000 out of theirs.

Originally Posted by flathead512

I have been using Syn 3 in my bike and changing the oil every 5,000 miles. I guess I bought into the extened oil change intervals. My cam tensioners and cams were worn out at 19,000, now I'm wondering if I should change the oil every 2,500?

[Micheal]

I have been using Syn 3 since 2003 when I purchased the bike new. I have had no problems with any of the lubricated parts. My wife and myself have take long trips in high heat accross the utah desert in mid summer with the oil bag only getting upto 260 -280 degrees or just good luck

Micheal

[rjrivero]

Syn 3.....Why?

I don't mean to badger anyone, but Syn 3 is expensive for a BLENDED oil. I don't understand why folks would use it. Can someone explain to me why I should use a blended oil instead of a full synthetic oil like Mobile 1 or Amsoil?

[HarleyCruiser]

Nope..............

Originally Posted by rjrivero

Syn 3.....Why?
Can someone explain to me why I should use a blended oil instead of a full synthetic oil like Mobile 1 or Amsoil?

[Micheal]

The only thing I know is when I asked the service manager about Syn-3 his answer was it is slip-p-er. I know that made no sense, however it did improve my fuel milage by 1-2 miles a gallon. In doing research I found that synthetic will be stable upto approximately 300 degrees were as normal oil is stable to approximately 250-260 degrees.

Micheal

[BluesFan]

slipperier than what? Dontcha love service managers?

As for temp, you are correct, Syns have higher temp tolerance and are a very good thing for our engines.

As for Syn 3, it is an average syn oil at best. Made, as best I can tell, by low bidder. I was once with people from 2 different refiners who both claimed to make it. We figured low bid after that little revelation. 2 HD guys were there too. And notably silent.

[Odessa33556]

Syn 3 with 50K on one bike (06) with no problems or part wear outs..yet..changed ever 5K..all holes...but been thinking of changing to Amsoil and Red line. I also use it in my 2009.

Jerry

[texan321]

that is like asking which do you prefer - blonde's or brunette's......will get different answers depending on the person.....nope I won't answer it either....but I use Syn3.