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Conventional to Syn

5K views 29 replies 19 participants last post by  UltimateRider 
#1 ·
My engine builder recommended 2500 miles running conventional oil. I changed the oil at 250 & 500 and now at 2200 to Red Line 20/60 and call me crazy but I could notice a difference.

Okay lets hear it.
 
#7 ·
You can run syn from day one. Old myth about it not allowing the engine to break in. One that is never going to die.
Like more wear was placed on the engine doing worthless oil changes than just changing it on the normal maintained.
But nice thing about this country a man is free to da what ever he wants to his bike.
 
#8 ·
Partly true, but on initial break in, a little more heat in the engine is a good thing. Now days, most engine builder heat cycle the engines up to 3 times to build up heat then allow cool down. Will the engines of today break in with synthetic, of course they will.
 
#10 ·
Syn oil is usually more expensive. When you change oil that frequent during break in, i think it makes sense to use conventional oil for cost savings alone. I did the same when i was breaking in mine (250, 500, 1000), but switched to syn after 1,500 miles.
 
#17 ·
#14 ·
As a long-time synthetic oil user (over 35 years) and distributor, I generally recommend running the initial oil for about 1000 miles, then change out all 3 holes to synthetic after that. My reasons are two-fold: 1) the metal shavings from manufacturing and machining (along with sand and other abrasives from casting) are drained at that point, and 2) if there is a problem, it will usually show up in the first thousand miles; if the problem requires the oil to be drained, at least you're not draining expensive oil!

Most new engines are sufficiently broken in at the factory that synthetics can be used from mile 0, but I prefer to exercise a little caution...


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#15 ·
With the current metallurgical technology and the fantastic advances in lubrication we currently have , break in isn't quite the issue it used to was ...

Back in the day when a ShovelHead with PEI was modern technology , break ins were quite different , or so we made it out to be , with various heat cycles and four or five oil changes in the first thousand miles ..

JtB
 
#19 ·
Its already been to court , and it was ruled that semi syn can be advertised as syn



JtB

The issue in the lawsuit was about API Group III fluids (highly refined hydrocarbons) that the big oil companies (Castrol Syntec, Valvoline SynPower, Pennzoil Ultra, et. al) were starting to market at the time. They were able to successfully argue that the "refining" process used for these oils was much more rigorous than the traditional refining processes and convinced a judge (a non-technical person) to rule in their favor.

HD Syn3 is most likely a Group III "synthetic", whereas AMSOIL, Mobil 1, and others are Group IV PAO based "true" synthetics.

A synthetic "blend" is when a Group III or IV synthetic is blended with a Group II refined petroleum base (Group I oils are basically straight mineral oil with nothing more than a rust and oxidation inhibitor added, and Group V covers specialty synthetics that can't be classified in any other category, such as esters, silicones, PAGs, etc.).


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#30 ·
Everyone is welcome to and has an opinion about oils. One man's experience. Do all of my routine servicing myself (oil changes, adjustments, etc.) 1999 Dyna, 85,000 miles (not a misprint). Engine never down, has original cam bearings that were reported to go out really early on, uses NO oil between 5,000 mile changes (lots of opinions on change frequency). Started using Mobile One V-twin synthetic shortly after buying the bike new. Harley had not introduced their Syn 3. Switched to Syn 3 after Harley introduced it. Never a problem with the bike, still ride it when the RG is down for maintenance, repairs, etc. Want to put 100,000 miles on engine before rebuild it just to see its condition.
Have used Syn 3 in 2011 RG since new. Bike would go 2,500 miles then belch or swallow (don't know which) about 1/2 to 3/4 quarts of oil out. It was odd, no oil used before 2,500 miles but could count on it at 2,500. After topping off would use no oil till next change at 5,000 miles. I know that will start a lot of discussion about frequency. One man's opinion.
But at 25,000 miles things changed. No oil used until hit 30,000 miles, Nada. Routine change at 30,000, no oil used. Took 25,000 miles for break-in? More discussion expected - should have used fossil oil until first change, etc. May have made a difference, but I am pleased with what I have done and engines performance.
 
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