Synthetic at 1K Mile or 5K Mile Service?
#32
10-09-2008, 02:58 PM
Not that Syn3 is the end-all be-all of oils 
but HD specifically says that Syn3 is "not detrimental to the break-in stage of engines."
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Dave
but HD specifically says that Syn3 is "not detrimental to the break-in stage of engines."http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Dave
#33
10-09-2008, 03:22 PM
That old wives tale of engines not breakng in with synthetic is just that, a wives tale. Many vehicles come from the factory with synthetics, so does those engines never break in? Of course not. Just do it, look him in the eye when he tells you his little bit of wisdom and tell him "Do a little bit a research before you preach"
Synthetic oil being slipperier in itself logically suggests it is not as good brake-in oil as nonsyn oil. My experience as a aircraft mechanic and car mechanic is that it doesn’t hurt at all to leave the dino oil in for at least 1000 miles (30 hours aircraft time) and I would suggest even going 2000 miles. It sure won’t hurt your engine. Worst case is you may get one or two miles less per gallon and your engine temp will be a little higher. But non-synthetic oil isn’t bad for engines, in fact many folks today get hundreds of thousand of miles from their cars, motorcycles, airplanes and other engines using plan ole dino oil. So my opinion is leave the dino oil it in a little longer for piece of mind.
Beary
#34
10-09-2008, 04:38 PM
I'm sure you are right, but I wonder what research we should do. Brake-in is the period of time where friction from oil between the metal surfaces creates some wear in the metal so that, depending on the surface, the engine works in closer tolerances for better lubrication and for preventing blow by in the compression chamber. Dino oil by nature creates more friction than synthetic oil, which is the reason why syn is preferred after brake-in.
Synthetic oil being slipperier in itself logically suggests it is not as good brake-in oil as nonsyn oil. My experience as a aircraft mechanic and car mechanic is that it doesn’t hurt at all to leave the dino oil in for at least 1000 miles (30 hours aircraft time) and I would suggest even going 2000 miles. It sure won’t hurt your engine. Worst case is you may get one or two miles less per gallon and your engine temp will be a little higher. But non-synthetic oil isn’t bad for engines, in fact many folks today get hundreds of thousand of miles from their cars, motorcycles, airplanes and other engines using plan ole dino oil. So my opinion is leave the dino oil it in a little longer for piece of mind.
Beary
Synthetic oil being slipperier in itself logically suggests it is not as good brake-in oil as nonsyn oil. My experience as a aircraft mechanic and car mechanic is that it doesn’t hurt at all to leave the dino oil in for at least 1000 miles (30 hours aircraft time) and I would suggest even going 2000 miles. It sure won’t hurt your engine. Worst case is you may get one or two miles less per gallon and your engine temp will be a little higher. But non-synthetic oil isn’t bad for engines, in fact many folks today get hundreds of thousand of miles from their cars, motorcycles, airplanes and other engines using plan ole dino oil. So my opinion is leave the dino oil it in a little longer for piece of mind.
Beary
#35
10-09-2008, 04:46 PM
Road Warrior
Your engine will break in with synthetics.
In the past, engines were assembled with very loose tollerances and that meant the rings would slop around until they found a home. Now they find a home before the bike leaves the factory. More and more vehicles leave the factory with synthetics like Corvette, BMW, Porsche and other high end autos. Those engines pump out much more HP and run at higher RPMs, and they break in just fine. Your bike will break in just fine.
In the past, engines were assembled with very loose tollerances and that meant the rings would slop around until they found a home. Now they find a home before the bike leaves the factory. More and more vehicles leave the factory with synthetics like Corvette, BMW, Porsche and other high end autos. Those engines pump out much more HP and run at higher RPMs, and they break in just fine. Your bike will break in just fine.
#36
10-09-2008, 07:06 PM
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#38
10-09-2008, 07:22 PM
Funny I just went through this with my dealer. SE's Harley's and S&S come with full synthetic from the factory. I wondered aloud why Harley wouldn't make it a standard paractice and I wasn't the only one at the counter that day making the decision.
I've come to the conclusion it probably doesn't matter. I went with the standard 20/50 and decided to swith at 2500 miles.
I've come to the conclusion it probably doesn't matter. I went with the standard 20/50 and decided to swith at 2500 miles.
#39
10-09-2008, 11:07 PM
When I left the dealer, they told me, "don't take it over 4 grand for first 1000 miles. It is 150 miles home. Before I got there, I put it in 3rd gear, as mentioned above, and went WOT to 4 grand, and released the throttle and let fall back to under 2000. Did this 10 times in a row and repeated it twice in the 150 miles. I had read this on this forum somewhere and it sounded good to me. They said after the first time your rings would be seated. I just did it two more times for good measure. Changed to syn3 (because if was free) at 1000 miles, Red Line w/shockproof in tranny, formula + in primary. Getting ready for 5000 service, and everything is great. (will switch to Red Line 20W-60 in crankcase). 08 UC
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