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[Wander]

I know this will open a can of worms or pandoras box BUT.... been hearing a lot of discussion on synthetic oils (all brands) from HD tech's, the extended warranty rep, and outside well established high performance speed shops on synthetic oils causing premature wear on engine bearings, tranny issues, and primary issues including base gasket leaks and other component leaks on Harleys? Yes the factory sends us our beloved CVO's with this in all compartments but do we continue to use this and cause headaches?
Let the responses fly!

[blacktop]

It might be helpful if you provided some references. Or is it just hearsay?

[Fired00d]

....Let the responses fly!

Try searching "oil" and you'll get more responses than you can shake a stick at.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d'
 

[petewerner]

I know this will open a can of worms or pandoras box BUT.... been hearing a lot of discussion on synthetic oils (all brands) from HD tech's, the extended warranty rep, and outside well established high performance speed shops on synthetic oils causing premature wear on engine bearings, tranny issues, and primary issues including base gasket leaks and other component leaks on Harleys? Yes the factory sends us our beloved CVO's with this in all compartments but do we continue to use this and cause headaches?
Let the responses fly!

This is really a nonstarter. U own it then put in what U want. U bought the bike, sell it if it is a leaky junk heap. U won't get many positive responses on this topic...

[mark]

Alright, another oil inquiry. 

[skratch]

been hearing a lot of discussion on synthetic oils (all brands) from HD tech's, the extended warranty rep, and outside well established high performance speed shops on synthetic oils causing premature wear on engine bearings, tranny issues, and primary issues including base gasket leaks and other component leaks on Harleys?

how is an oil going to cause premature wear on engine bearings when wear is caused by friction and i think we can agree that just about any synthetic oil is going to decrease friction as well as any dino oil?  and that old myth about synthetic causing leaks?  i thought that was disproved last century

[Wander]

I should have know everyone is perfect & the smartest on this site.... OMG why waste time with asking a question that some of you might find out for yourselves some day & hopefully not the hard way ... It was just a question no need to be demeaning!
LAST POST!

[ultrarider123]

Wander, don't take it personal.  We all have opinions on subjects and oil (Syn or Dino or combination) is one of those that gets folks attention.  As for your question as you stated, you expected this to open up a can of worms....yep, shore dun dat...

As for oil (no matter what kind we are discussing) causing pre-mature wear, I would assume the oil comments from HD techs have to be based on poor maintenance (maybe using VERY old oil the filter hasn't been changed or there is a filtering issue in those motors) but that wouldn't be the oils fault.  My guess is that the syn or dino are fine either way and that the parts are the issue.  Also, may not just be the parts but also the lack of oil delivery to the needed areas of the motor which would go back to the MoCo on design.  The MoCo has been cutting corners for years on their parts (remember the Timken bearings...or lack of Timken bearings...issues years ago?) and use the lowest bidder/cheapest parts to max out their profit.  Nothing wrong with that as long as the parts hold up to the specs.  Problem is, they aren't holding up.  We just went through a big recall on the rectifiers (sorry, product program) because they met specs but poor quality internals meant they wouldn't hold up in the long run.  We get what we pay for....you would think big companies would realize this.

So, oil is oil.  I'm happy to use either in my MINI, Ford or HDs (both of 'em).  I'm using the syn in the MINI and HD (CVO) because research shows that type should hold up better with the heat issues on the 110.  I had a 98CI on my 09 SG and used dino oil.  Run dino in my wife's super low.  Research the issues and make up your own mind on it.

My two cents......have a great day today. 

[longlast]

Like Ultrarider1 said, Wander don't take it personal some times you just got to skip through some post.
I've been off road some number of yrs. and I'm not as up to date on MoCo and other issues as others here.
There's one thing I do know is something on oils. No mater what oil is used the main thing is the oils temp. specs.
If the temp. exceeds it's specs. well then the oil will no longer will be a lubricant. Machinery has been using oil sines
it's day. Like it has been said syn or dino on matter the W/W ones for better cold start ones for when it's hot.
When choosing your oil it all comes down to the opperating temp. and regular oil and filter changes.

[doublerunner]

I should have know everyone is perfect & the smartest on this site.... OMG why waste time with asking a question that some of you might find out for yourselves some day & hopefully not the hard way ... It was just a question no need to be demeaning!
LAST POST!

You seriously can not be that immature about this??? The posts were mild, at worst.

I prefer to deal with facts rather than hearsay. So I would like to see some facts behind your statement. Personally I am switching my engine oil from the HD syn to the Mobil 1 Vtwin syn. And I am also changing the primary and trans to redline. Just my preference.

As for wear and leaks, there are so many other factors to consider. What mods have been done, how the bike has been ridden and maintained (or not), etc.

Another site has a lot of good info on oil. Look up bob the oil guy.

[LC110]

I know this will open a can of worms or pandoras box BUT.... been hearing a lot of discussion on synthetic oils (all brands) from HD tech's, the extended warranty rep, and outside well established high performance speed shops on synthetic oils causing premature wear on engine bearings, tranny issues, and primary issues including base gasket leaks and other component leaks on Harleys? Yes the factory sends us our beloved CVO's with this in all compartments but do we continue to use this and cause headaches?
Let the responses fly!

If your really worried about all this than use what HD recommends.  Synthetic oils do not cause premature wear. They do not cause gaskets to leak.
http://www.stle.org/ To help one learn.

[senorjeem]

  Tribologists......who knew.  I just sat through a day of my life that I will never get back and was lectured on lubrication systems for a large facility by, you guessed it, a tribologist.  I can honestly say that I had never heard this term before and never thought that I'd ever hear it again, and here I am deep in the heart of "Rolling Thunder and Rednecks" (stereotyping I know) and the mystery term reappears.   goes to show ya, can't judge a book by it's ride! Sorry for the  

[dlaws01]

Oil, hummmmmmm,     Is there any way to consolidate this subject into one thread?