Primary Lube Poll

glider

Harleys don't have automatic transmissions

All kidding aside, the synthetic oils work well in the trans, just not the primary because they can cause slippage on older units with less friction plate thickness. No need for syn oils in the primary, it accomplishes nothing positive.

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smitty901

My understanding is thisas the clutch ages the sny lubes cause it to slips and shorten the life.
The Automatic in your car or big trucks and the wet clutch are not the same at all.
I too have wonder about this and even to today while adjusting the clutch on my FB was thinking well if it only shorten the clutch life a bit but the chain and other parts lasted longer and not having to have a diffent lube on hand it might still be worth running the sny oil I use in the engine in there anyway.
I may just go ahead and do it if clutch goes I put a darn clutch in it.
if it works out I do the same with the other bike.

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maddog145

My '03 Softtail has had syn3 in it since break-in [currently bike has over 10,000mi] switched to red line V-Twin primary case all synthetic formula oil. According to all reports that I have read, this seem like a good choice. They claim that they have a friction balanced product which reduces slippage while adding additional lubrication. The last time I serviced the engine, there were no shavings, it was perfectly clean, and the clutch looked like new. The nylon chain adjusting shoe showed minimal wear at this time when compared to a new one.
Thank you all for your input. I am still trying to learn about this stuff and I appreciate all input. If my thinking is wrong then I would like to understand why.

smitty901

Redline makes some fine quialty products. I would have no trouable sleeping know that redline was in the primary.
I think time will tell. It takes awhile for new products and ways of doing things to prove themself. Some turn out to be great others no so great.
I am going try some thing new in the pronary just to see clutchdoes not cost that much.

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maddog145

I will continue to run with the Red Line and will monitor the wear. I am under the impression that clutch plates are cheaper than primary chains and gears. I will update you with any new information.
Thanks again.

claugh

07 FLSTC

Well, I submitted, as a novice to letting the dealer replace all oils with SYN3 as "recommended".

I know a guy can go from fossil to syn, but what problems might I encounter if I drain SYN3 and replace with others that have been recommended.

Namely,
Mobil 1 V twin 20w50 crankcase
Redline shockproof heavy for the trans
Spectro Heavy Duty Platinum 75/140 for for 6 speed transmissions

Any other recommendations?

Also what about fuel injector cleaners?

smitty901

You will have no problems and you bike will repay you with many miles of service.
M1 is a fine engine oil
Spectro in the tramission it just does not get any better but there is nothing wrong with redline ither
As for the primary just the HD F+ is fine

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BigEd

HD Formula+

orange68

Glider,

I have done lots of reading and seems you are very respected as being very knowledgable about HD's. I just recently prurchased 04' Road King wiht 6,000 miles. the HD Syn oil is used in all holes. What do you recommend instead of the HS oil. I know this is a WIDE open topic but respect what you have written so far.

glider

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Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more.
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