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CVO Technical => EVO => Topic started by: RD Parrish on March 31, 2013, 06:44:52 AM

Title: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: RD Parrish on March 31, 2013, 06:44:52 AM
I was considering running Spectro Golden HD 20w-50 semi-synthetic oil in my 96 Road King. I am currently using BelRay gear saver hypoid 85w-140 in the tranny, made a huge difference in shifting.
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: cahdbiker on April 01, 2013, 11:35:43 AM
RD Parrish, recently I had some work done on my 95 Heritage. They had to pull the oil tank so he replaced my Amsoil with Dino. I said why not synthetic and the tech said the seal between the barrel and the cases in Evo motors , if they still have the original parts , tend to wick synthetic  and then it looks like you have a leak which I guess you would at that point. However, I never had any issues when it was stock or after I put in the S&S 107. I didn't contradict him because he always does little extras for me that don't show up on the bill. I don' think your choice of oil will cause you any problems based on my experience. I have had the bike since new.CAHDBIKER
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: RD Parrish on April 01, 2013, 04:40:06 PM
RD Parrish, recently I had some work done on my 95 Heritage. They had to pull the oil tank so he replaced my Amsoil with Dino. I said why not synthetic and the tech said the seal between the barrel and the cases in Evo motors , if they still have the original parts , tend to wick synthetic  and then it looks like you have a leak which I guess you would at that point. However, I never had any issues when it was stock or after I put in the S&S 107. I didn't contradict him because he always does little extras for me that don't show up on the bill. I don' think your choice of oil will cause you any problems based on my experience. I have had the bike since new.CAHDBIKER
So.........are you saying you have always run amsoil synthetic in youre bike since 1995?
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: B.A. on April 01, 2013, 05:05:13 PM
I ran it in a '98 Evo ('98 Anniversary FatBoy).  Wish I still had it!  The bike, not the oil!  :coolblue:  And I have run it in an '01 FLTRSEI2 and an '11 FLTRUSE since new.  Big believer in those "engineered" hydrocarbons!
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: JoeSDE on April 01, 2013, 08:48:53 PM
Have used Mobil 1 20W-50 in my Softail since 1000mi oil change in 1999. Just short of 50,000mi. Have not noticed weeping gaskets, either.          JoeS
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: 2k on April 02, 2013, 07:52:50 AM
Ran Mobil 1 exclusively in my '94 Heritage. 96K before 1st teardown. Sounds like his Mama told him the weeping story.
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: grc on April 02, 2013, 09:00:04 AM
If you go back far enough in ancient synthetic oil history you will find some evidence of increased oil weeping.  Amsoil even admits to it. This was back in the day of poorly machined parts and simple paper gaskets that had a hard enough time containing heavy weight dino oil.  In the modern era of better part machining and gasket materials, the reality is that synthetics don't leak any more than dino.  However, the wive's tales persist.  You will still find "ace" mechanics in Harley shops for instance that swear synthetic oil will cause your roller bearings to skid, along with a host of other maladies.  It's kind of like how some people back in the day still believed the earth was flat long after science (and Columbus) proved them wrong.

Jerry
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: cahdbiker on April 03, 2013, 09:25:38 AM
Jerry, are you trying to tell us the earth isn't flat. I just ran off the edge the other day and ended up in a gold plated strip bar with free beer and you didn't have to tip. Oh wait that was just a dream. Seriously though I always appreciate your input and advice. CAHDBIKER

If you go back far enough in ancient synthetic oil history you will find some evidence of increased oil weeping.  Amsoil even admits to it. This was back in the day of poorly machined parts and simple paper gaskets that had a hard enough time containing heavy weight dino oil.  In the modern era of better part machining and gasket materials, the reality is that synthetics don't leak any more than dino.  However, the wive's tales persist.  You will still find "ace" mechanics in Harley shops for instance that swear synthetic oil will cause your roller bearings to skid, along with a host of other maladies.  It's kind of like how some people back in the day still believed the earth was flat long after science (and Columbus) proved them wrong.

Jerry
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: cahdbiker on April 03, 2013, 09:34:59 AM
RD Parrish, I may have already answered this question before, but I ran HD Dino until about 35K. I let an indy shop do a service and they put in synthetic because they were out of HD Dino. I refused to pay the difference and they took it off the bill. I continued to run synthetic until about 60K when I had an S&S 107 installed. I run Amsoil straight 60WT in the 107  and have had no issues.CAHDBIKER

So.........are you saying you have always run amsoil synthetic in youre bike since 1995?
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: Rimjam on April 03, 2013, 05:43:08 PM
Always full synthetic (Mobil 1) in the '94 Road King.
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: BDMastiff on April 03, 2013, 06:01:06 PM
Yes, I run Brad Penn SAE 50 Partial Synthetic in my S&S Evo. 
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: FXR4seattle on April 11, 2013, 10:08:21 PM
Royal Purple. Love it! No issues at all!!
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: RD Parrish on April 14, 2013, 06:36:53 AM
Ok.................I settled with Spectro Golden HD 20w-50 Semi-synthetic oil. Bel-Ray Gearsavor Hypoid 85w-140 Trans. And o'l fasion Harley primary+ formula primary oil. Spectro starts with Mobil virgin oil and batch their own additives with high Zinc and Prosphuras. Im running their Spectro 6 speed synthetic 85w-140 trans, and Spectro primary oil in my new 2013 CVO Roadglide. Still using Mobil 1 Vtwinn synthetic for motor. Thanks for all the input......................hats off to those who have ran full synthetic in EVO's.............proves the ol wives fable about skipping bearings and such. I had a brand new 1990 Superglide and I ran Slick 50 treatment. The bike would turn over several times in winter before starting, untill I filled with Slick 50 it never turned over in dead winter it just fired.........made a believer out of me. I have ran it in every new car Ive owned since.
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: Thermodyne on April 14, 2013, 08:02:46 AM
I run Mobil 1 in both of my EVO's.  An 84 with 110K+ and a 2000 with 12K. 

Synthetic oil does not make base gaskets leak.  Early 80's gasket technology makes base gaskets leak.
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: lucille on April 15, 2013, 07:14:06 PM
Amsoil 20W-50 in both FXR Evolution motors here.  No weeping gaskets, or any other issues. 
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: HILLSIDECYCLE.COM on May 02, 2013, 07:02:41 AM
If you go back far enough in ancient synthetic oil history you will find some evidence of increased oil weeping.  Amsoil even admits to it. This was back in the day of poorly machined parts and simple paper gaskets that had a hard enough time containing heavy weight dino oil.  In the modern era of better part machining and gasket materials, the reality is that synthetics don't leak any more than dino.  However, the wive's tales persist.  You will still find "ace" mechanics in Harley shops for instance that swear synthetic oil will cause your roller bearings to skid, along with a host of other maladies.  It's kind of like how some people back in the day still believed the earth was flat long after science (and Columbus) proved them wrong.

Jerry

Both my brother and I tried Amsoil in our 4-wheeled vehicles many years ago when we were an Amsoil(pyramid-type dealer network >:() dealer.
Gasket seepage/weepage, and increase mechanical noise was experienced in both the Chevrolet, and Dodge trucks.
We used petroleum oil after without issues.
Scott
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: sadunbar on May 02, 2013, 07:45:04 AM
I've run Mobil One in our 2000 FXR4 since we got it...  No problems and no worries...   :2vrolijk_21:
Title: Re: Anybody running a semi-synthetic oil in their EVO?
Post by: HILLSIDECYCLE.COM on May 06, 2013, 06:11:07 PM
Almost every single bike that comes thru here(along with all the fresh engines) leaves with Spectro oil in the engine, and has for about 15 or so years now.
Absolutely no issues whatsoever.
For the folks that request synthetic, Red Line is what we shelf.
Scott