| Author | Message | ||
     Fat_tony |
I own a xb12r with 4800 miles. I want to change to synthetic oil, but I need some help on what works the best in buells. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I plan on using Harley syn3 once mine is broken in. Mobil 1 V-twin & amsoil are also good. I hear good things about Redline as well. In my own opinion, it doesn't really matter which you use as long as you change your oil every 2500 miles. | ||
| Ejiii |
I use Redline 20W-50 in both the engine and trans. Works great, no problem. | ||
| BadS1 |
The syn 3 is a great oil as are the others but all will do well for you.Might want to also keep in mind which one is readily available to you. | ||
| Coolice |
Been using Syn 3 since my XB9R had its first change at 500 miles, now have over 9000. Makes it shift better in my opinion, and supposed to run cooler. | ||
| Cataract2 |
I'm using Mobil 1 15/50 in the engine and Mobil 1 75/90 gear oil in the trans. Trans will be getting switched to Mobil 1 15/50 soon. | ||
| Holling |
Cataract 2, How can you drop from 75/90 gear oil to 15/50 for the trans? Isn't that going to be too thin? What does the manual call for? I don't have a manual yet. | ||
| Buellgirlie |
been using syn3 in mine since 1st oil change as well. i like it. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Holling, Mobil 1 75/90 gear oil is pretty much the same viscosity as their 20/50 engine oil. It's just a different type of oil. | ||
| Kevinfromwebb |
I've been using the Mobil 1 V-Twin and the Mobil 1 75/90 in the tranny with good results... I had the bike in for some warranty work recently and they put in some HD 'sport trans fluid', that stuff is SORRY... Couldn't hardly get the tranny to down shift, BLAH... Put the Mobil 1 back in and it's smoothing back out... Kevin | ||
| Xbjelly9s |
Mobil 1 20/50 Vtwin in motor, Mobil 1 75/90 gear oil in trans., and Mobil 1 M1-103 oil filter for my XB9S. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Cataract 2, How can you drop from 75/90 gear oil to 15/50 for the trans? Isn't that going to be too thin? What does the manual call for? I don't have a manual yet. As was said. It's the same viscosity as 20/50. Won't be that big of a change. Besides, I've been test running it in my parents HD's trans. Running fine for the last 2 months. Others on here have done it with no ill effects. | ||
| Dragonbuell12r |
The 15w50 Mobil 1 will be great. Switched to it 2k ago and couldn't be happier. It felt like a different bike when I made the switch. If you read all the stuff on the Amsoil website they say to use their 20/50 engine oil in the primary. I like Mobil 1 15/50 so that's what I put in and boy does it shift smooth. | ||
| Brad_buell |
I switched to Syn 3, all around, at my first 1000 check. I noticed the difference immediately with the smoother shifting. Then I noticed that the fan came on less frequently. Then you couldn't help but notice when riding with my friend who has an XB9R. He doesn't run synthetic. Every time we stopped to rest his fan was on and mine wasn't! And I mean every time. It really started bugging him after our ride. So, he's making the switch! | ||
| Tomzweifel |
My wife still has the break-in dino oil in hers, I'm running syn3. Her fan runs more frequently and longer than mine. She's going for her 1k service this week, and I'm curious to see how her fan runs with the syn3 in it. | ||
| Brucelee |
HD is the only one who says to put motor oil in the trans. The other oil manuf. recommend gear oil, as they ALL indicate that the motor oil will shear in the trans. I have used Mobil 1 75-90 since about 200 miles in my XB and am very happy with that. Why risk putting motor oil in the trans. Given HDs flip flop on syn oils, who would trust them on any oil subject?????????? | ||
| Kowpow225 |
Bruce you've got a valid point there but reading from my syn 3 brochure... Q: In the past, Harley-Davidson did not recommend the use of synthetic oils in H-D/Buell motorcycles. Why is H-D introducing a synthetic now? A: Because H-D cannot test and certify all available synthetics on the market nor control their oil and additive formulations, we have discouraged their use. However, Harley-Davidson, in close partnership with our suppliers, analyzed available petrochemical technology and developed a custom-blended candidate fluid that can be used in all three cavities of a H-D/Buell motorcycle. This product has been exclusively designed for H-D and is the only synthetic product TESTED and CERTIFIED by H-D engineering for use in H-D/Buell motorcycles. Q: What kind of testing was done on SYN3? A: Over three years of laboratory bench testing, dynamometer testing under accelerated conditions, open road vehicle durability testing, closed course durability testing, and wear and deposit rating analysis was conducted on SYN3. This was straight from the pamphlet. Another issue that they didn't touch on while on the subject of other synthetics was their potential, back in the day, to cause bearing float. (which is a whole 'nother bag of worms) I found that interesting. | ||
| Dbird29 |
fat_tony, Checkout this chart. http://www.repairfaq.org/filipg/AUTO/F_oil_facts.html#OILFACTS_003 It is kind of wierd using a motor oil in a tranny but it works just fine. In Minnesota my Mazda 626 had ATF in the transaxle instead of gear oil. DBird | ||
| Chainsaw |
It is my belief that if HD SYN3 is that good, HD would test it side by side with other leading motorcycle oils, synth and dino, and publish the results (independent testing lab of course). If it's that good, they would be marketing SYN3 for other brands of bikes too. It is my belief that HD has tested and compared it's oils to other leading brands. If this data was flattering to SYN3, they would publish it. If this data is unflattering, they would not publish said results, 'cause who would pay $8 a quart for it then? HD has a large, 'captive' market. Getting some of these people to pay 2.6 times more for a quart of oil is a very profitable venture. HD doesn't have to 'prove' to this captive market that their product is better, they just have to 'say' it is better. Please note, this is just an opinion based on my own rationale. Makes perfect sense to me...  | ||
| Metalstorm |
My reasons for Syn3 are: It's gotta be better than Dino. Since it's certified by HD, if anything goes wrong with my bike, they can not blame it on the oil and avoid warranty.(gonna have to save all oil reciepts) It is readily available. Yes it's expensive but my bike is worth it every 2500 miles. I'm not going to claim it's the best choice. But i believe it's the smartest choice for me at this time. (Message edited by metalstorm on May 30, 2005) | ||
| Rocketman |
HELPFUL INFO FROM BANDIT MACHINE who we could consider experts in the field..............couldn't we????? All Sportster belt drives and Big Twin chain and belt drive clutches (except Sportsman Superclutch) Friction plates are available for these models in 3 choices of material: Kevlar (green), Alto (red), and Carbon-Ceramic (gray). Wet applications can use the Kevlar or the Alto, and dry applications can use Kevlar or Carbon-Ceramic. WET: We recommend Kevlar as your first choice in a wet application - Kevlar is very durable and consistent, and requires slightly less spring pressure than the red Alto for a given horsepower output. The red Alto is also very durable and consistent, but requires slightly more spring pressure for a given horsepower output. The main advantage with red Alto plates is that they are extremely free releasing under all conditions and normally tolerant of a variety of lubricants. An additional advantage is that Alto has a lifetime guarantee on their plates. NOTE: We recommend the use of ONLY automatic transmission fluid or Golden Spectro Gear SAE 80 Primary Chaincase Lubricant in our clutches. DO NOT use the HD oil or similar oils in the primary, especially with Kevlar plates. Using the HD oil will make the clutch drag and slip. ATF is inexpensive and works great, but can be difficult to prevent leakage in some bikes where the engine to primary case seal is not perfect. Golden Spectro 80 contains friction modifiers which actually increase the friction between the plates and allows the clutch to carry more power with the same spring pressure but is slightly higher viscosity than the ATF and can aggravate clutch drag in a bike with limited release travel. DO NOT use a full synthetic oil, these are often too “slippery” and will make the clutch slip. DRY:Here we recommend either the Kevlar or the Carbon-Ceramic for Street riding and Carbon-Ceramic for maximum effort race-only bikes. The Carbon-Ceramic is more consistent and tolerant of the slipping that occurs when using a properly setup lockup than Kevlar. All Big Twin Sportsman Superclutches - 039601 & 039801 Available only with Kevlar friction plates - works great! See note above about primary lubricants. Sportster Chain Drives Friction plates are available for these models in 2 choices of material: Kevlar (green) and Carbon-Ceramic (gray). Wet applications can use the Kevlar, and dry applications can use Kevlar or Carbon-Ceramic. To run a dry clutch in a Sportster chain drive, you must block off the transmission trap door so that you can run oil only in the transmission, and manually lubricate the chain before each run. See note above about primary lubricants - we recommend use of Golden Spectro Primary Chaincase Lubricant (Golden Spectro Gear Lubricant SAE 80) in the transmission and primary drive. Rocket | ||
| Cataract2 |
Dbird29, so what I get out of that link is 15/50 is the same as 75/90 where Viscosity is concerned. Basically, it will hold up just as well with shearing and heat. | ||
| BadS1 |
Chain saw says"If Syn 3 is that good HD would test it head to head with other brands." Why would you think they haven't???As far as the public is concerned the magazines do that.In the form of Cycle World or even American Iron. | ||
| Chainsaw |
Why would you think they haven't??? Re-read post: "It is my belief that HD has tested..." | ||
| BadS1 |
Chainsaw your post doesn't say HD has tested it reads if its that good they would test it against other brands.And your belief means your thoughts and I asked you why you thought they hadn't??? | ||
| Justice |
Check out this site... http://www.worldsbestoil.ca/harley-davidson-motor-oil.php | ||
| Chickenhauler |
oil is subjective.if you have a brand you like get it in a grade thats for air cooled motors.ive used mobil 1 in my kw.(kenworth)have 800,000 miles with no oil related problems.so i like mobil.using the v-twin formula in the motor and 70-90 in the tranny.the sports trans fluid was junk!if it was 20-50 i wouldnt use it.as it made it hard to shift.like with everything every one has a favorite brand.so pick one u like and good luck.  | ||
| Roadrunnerrv |
amsoil 20-50 formulated for harleys and all air cooled 4 strokes. Exceeds all harley's products, and won't void engine warranty(according to them). Been using it for 12,000 miles. So far so good. My only complaint is availability. Carquest only holds it here. Read about it @ www.amsoil.com under frequent asked questions about Harley's (Message edited by RoadRunnerRV on May 31, 2005) | ||
| Truk |
I use Mobil One VTwin 20w50 in the engine and Mobil one Gear oil 75W-90 in the tranny. I had been using recommended HD oil and trans fluid for the first 4,900 miles. That was about 500 miles ago and the Bike does better with the Mobil One. Smoother running bike for sure | ||
| Chainsaw |
...Chainsaw your post doesn't say HD has tested it Re-read it very s-l-o-wl-y.... | ||
| Dr_greg |
Another vote for Mobil-1 15W-50 synthetic in the engine and Mobil-1 75W-90 synthetic gear oil in the transmission. I've used Mobil-1 lubricants in all my vehicles (Delvac-1 in the diesel) for years and am VERY satisfied. Never any clutch slip or drag (although I don't abuse the clutch). | ||
| Trac95ker |
I like Amsoil 20-50 for Harleys. In the trans I run Motul semi synthetic 20-50. It s made for H-D's as well.I did notice better shifting but that could be from the parts wearing together. Tilleys uses it in their bikes, thats good enough for me. I would never use a lower multy viscocity oil like 15-50 in the summer, maybe in the winter. | ||
| BadS1 |
Chainsaw I did maybe you should??Thats ok don't care. | ||
| Ted |
Anyone try Castrol syn 75/90 ? |
