I got the new "Enthusiast" published by H-D the other day. They had a small blurb in there that said the change intervals for Syn3 have changed. On Sporty's, it went from 5,000 miles to 10,000 miles for both transmission and engine. On BTs, it was 20,000 for the transmission (!).

I'm still gonna keeping changing the oil at 5,000 miles though...

10,000 for the engine? Surely not........

It is more than the oil breaking down, it is also the soot and dirst and whatever that begins to contaminate the oil......

I change my 10W50 (not syn3) every 2,500 miles or so. It would be nice to use Syn3 and go 5,000 miles, though.

At my 10,000 maintenance, I am thinking of going Syn3.

Aren't they pushing formula+ for the transmission ?

10,000....man that's a lot of miles between changes! Can't wait to hear what some of the more tech savy folks here have to say about this. I think I am with you, I'm probably going to continue oil changes as at present.

Don't do it.
I use Syn 3 and change every 2500.
It still tends to break down aroung 5000 to 6000.
2500 is best.

Did any of you Syn3 users notice an increase in engine noise after switching?

There are folks on some other boards (BT riders) who have said that they had more engine noise after switching to a synthetic oil...

I could tell no difference in the engine noise when I switched. If anything, mine seems to be a bit quieter.

I changed at 1000 miles I noticed no difference.

I guess it could be the difference in the amount of noise each engine has. My BT motor is so dang quiet (even with V&H Longshots) that I can hear the fuel injectors. It's a LOT quieter than the Sporty motor so, it wouldn't take much of an increase in engine noise to make it noticable.

I got the new "Enthusiast" published by H-D the other day. They had a small blurb in there that said the change intervals for Syn3 have changed. On Sporty's, it went from 5,000 miles to 10,000 miles for both transmission and engine. On BTs, it was 20,000 for the transmission (!)

Dang, I don't have a copy of the magazine in front of me, but now I wonder if I misread it - it must have been 10,000 miles for the primary, and 20,000 for the transmission. 10,000 for the engine makes no sense (to me).

I have the article in front of me, it says, "HD XL and all Buellpowertrains, the drain interval for Syn3 in the primary/transmission is extended from 5,000 miles to 10,000 miles. Syn3 should also always be changed prior to long-term or winter storage." Seems like a lot of miles to me also. I wonder if they are figuring that you add oil as you burn it up and if this has any bearing on this??

Indyrednek, how did you determine that the oil was breaking down at 5,000??

When I switched to Syn3 at 1,000 miles my engine seemed a little quieter also.

Please read the sticky I posted "Superb Oil Info". It links to a very well done article that is one of many I've been reading lately that says oil gets BETTER at lubricating as the miles add up. Of course there does come a time when the oil is done and needs to be changed, but changing Synthetic oil at 5000 miles isn't needed and changing it at 2500 is just plain wrong and a waste of money. All that is needed at 5000 miles is a filter change and top-off. The 10,000 mile oil change is a reality.

Of course if you feel like changing it, by all means change it. But it is not done at 2500 or even 5000 miles. Synthetic is more expensive for a reason and one of its many benefits is a definate, documented extension of service life over conventional oil.

Please read the sticky I posted "Superb Oil Info". It links to a very well done article that is one of many I've been reading lately that says oil gets BETTER at lubricating as the miles add up. Of course there does come a time when the oil is done and needs to be changed, but changing Synthetic oil at 5000 miles isn't needed and changing it at 2500 is just plain wrong and a waste of money. All that is needed at 5000 miles is a filter change and top-off. The 10,000 mile oil change is a reality.

Of course if you feel like changing it, by all means change it. But it is not done at 2500 or even 5000 miles. Synthetic is more expensive for a reason and one of its many benefits is a definate, documented extension of service life over conventional oil.
I agree, changeing Synthetic at 2,500 is a waste, but if it makes you feel better than do it. The only true way to know when your oil needs to be changed is to send it in for an oil analysis. I think you'l be quiet amazed at the results you'l get back.

I work in heavy truck transmission R&D. The first scheduled oil change for synthetic trans fluid is 500,000 miles, dino 250,000. And trust me a semi transmission hauling 60,000 lbs is alot harder on oil then are harley's.

I wouldn't recommend going 10,000 miles on syn oil in the
evo motor or the BT. Unless you want to let the MOCO
rebuild your motor after 30- 45,000 miles.:laugh This coming
from the a-holes at the MOCO who frowned on any syn use
just 2yrs ago. F T F,:censor :shhhh damn bunch of hypocrites

The biggest thing going againest the evo motor is all of them
are air, oil cooled. Oil in the sump is collected and splash fed to
the pistons, cylinder wall, and flywheel components. Washing down
carbon buildup inside the combustion area while lubricatiing at the
same time. The oil flow is returned back to the oil tank by the
scavenging effect of the pump and the downward pressure of the
downward stroke of the pistons. All deposits are not removed by the
oil filter. IMHO frequent maintenence is the longevity to anything
mechanical.

Oil, your choice= $2-10 per quart.
Filter, at HD dealer = $8-12
Time to change oil = 15 to 1 hr, depending on your abilities.

Evo engine rebuild= a whole lot more.

I would be willing to bet (this is non-scientifically proven opinion) that you could go to wallyworld and pick up any cheap 15w50 or 20w50 oil, change it every 2500mi, or 3 months, and that engine will go close to 100k mi w/o lubrication related failure.

Most of the 'motorcycle' oil hype/science/requirements is largely bled over from Japanese style bikes which use the oil not only for lubing the engine, but the tranny and clutch as well. The tranny and clutch are respectively, harder on, and more demanding of an oil. We Sporty owners lube our engine separately from the clutch / tranny. So, we can choose the ideal oil for each application, and the optimum change intervals. (BT owners can chose 3 different oils if they want to)

Its the Amuricin way!

(regardless, I run Mobil1 15w50 in engine, and Syn3 in Tranny, and believe in the 2500m engine oil change interval)

Yeah I read that too and will keep changing out the syn3 every 5K. 10K is not going to happen with my bike regardless of what is in it. Sh-t if they put Nasa oil it I wouldn't change every 10K.

Dino is good to change at 2.5K OR 3k and Syn3 at every 5k. Bike runs cooler with the Syn3 which makes it run smoother. Sporties are loud and always will be, rubbermount just lessens the vibration slightly but that's about it. Changing Syn3 blends at 2.5k is a waste of time and money. It;s overkill IMO.

:pgrflag:

Loco
So. Cal.

I agree, changeing Synthetic at 2,500 is a waste, but if it makes you feel better than do it. The only true way to know when your oil needs to be changed is to send it in for an oil analysis. I think you'l be quiet amazed at the results you'l get back.

I work in heavy truck transmission R&D. The first scheduled oil change for synthetic trans fluid is 500,000 miles, dino 250,000. And trust me a semi transmission hauling 60,000 lbs is alot harder on oil then are harley's.

I am not going 10K on my bike between changes. It just goes against my grain LOL!!! I'm running syn3 and feel 5k is good enough and change it. I do agree that 2.5k is a complete waste of money and overkill with syn3...

:pgrflag:

Loco
So. Cal.

I run Amsoil 20w-50 full syn. I change it every 2,500mi. I live in an apartment so I don't change my own oil (though I have) and even though I pay to get it done it costs me $50. Maybe I'm wasting my $ but strict regular maintenance has helped me get many miles out of previous vehicles so I hope it'll do the same for my Sporty. I used to drive an '89 Cavalier Z-24 when I was in college. My folks bought it new and passed it on to me and I maintained that rig meticulously (even though I drove it hard at times - young & foolish) and that car is still on the road back in Canada and has over 400,000km on the original motor and tranny - not a bolt turned in either!

Later,
W.

Synthetic oil will loose the abilty to clean before you lose the ability to lubricate. The filter will also loose it's ability to filter properly before the oil fails to lubricate. Extended oil changes are fine. Many tests have shown that even dyno oil maintains significant lubrication properties beyond 3000 miles. However dyno oils ability, through detergents, to keep the oil clean fades quickly after 3000 miles. Synthetics have better cleaning detergents as well and can go further. One tip if you want to extend your intervals is to change out the oil filter at 5000 miles, then top off the oil. Then change it all every 10,000 miles. Do not store used oil in the engine for winter storage.

Just to do some math for you to compare Dino vs Syn costs:

3 qts HD 20W50 = $11.85
HD Filter (chrome)= $9.25
= $21.10 every 3000 miles or $703.33 per 100,000 miles!

3 qts Syn3 = $26.85 + 1 qt@5000 miles = $8.95
HD Filter (chrome)= $9.95 x 2 = 19.90
= $55.70 every 10,000 miles or $557.00 per 100,000 miles.

I am like many of you though. I use Mobil 1 15W-50 and an HD filter. I run mine for about 5,000 miles and then change it all out.

My costs are:
3 qts Mobile 1 = $5.50/qt = $16.50
HD Filter = $8.95
= $25.45 every 5,000 miles = $509.00 per 100,000 miles

Please folks, stop throwing away your money!!! Just put that loose money in the plate at Church when you go!!! I am praying that lots of you good folks are going to the Church of your choice!!! Just buy wally-world Synthetic for motor and get the new stuff from Harley shop for the trans. or where the chain is. The primary that is!!! It's all good!!! Just change it 2 or 3 times a year. Great site. Jay-Impala-man