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Using Syn 3 in The Transmission

Rod Stewart

Active Member
So back earlier this year I read a bunch of posts about all the dire consequences of using Syn 3 in the transmission.
I have used Syn 3 for all fluids now for about a year, and I just did a fall oil change with about 7500 kms (4700 miles) on the fluids since last change.

I am here to report that when I drained the trans fluid, it had to be the clearest oil I have ever drained out of anything. Moreover there was not a trace of any metal particles of any sort on the magnetic plug. Also I have not noticed the trans making any more noise than it used to with dino oil. My pipes are medium noisy.

Bike is an '04 classic BTW with 44,000 kms on it.

Rod
 
Rod

Sorry to burst your bubble but if you get anything other than new looking oil out of the trans, there's something wrong. No byproducts of combustion like in the engine to deal with in the trans. It should come out looking just like it went in, minus the wear properties that it once had.

Secondly, you have the truly exceptional bike there. I have done numerous oil changes in my business removing the syn 3 that dealers put in the trans (an engine oil by nature) and the magnets on the plug always look like Don Kings hair which is gear material, not a good thing.

Syn 3 will work in the trans, but is a poor choice in there in place of a gear oil which has a different molecular composition . You may even get some miles out of it before you have any problems too but by then the warranty will be over ( if you had one) and you will be on your own then.
I have seen blued shift forks which is the result of heat buildup from improper lubrication using syn 3 in the trans. It is your bike but if you were to try a different oil in the trans like Redline , Mobil or Spectro GEAR oils, you would then notice the difference in shifting and noise from the gears.

Besides, the Syn 3 is made for Harley by Hugo Chavez and I refuse to use any products from him.
 
Glider;
Thanks for the information.
I understand your comments about the trans oil, and yes I would think any kind of metal found in the trans oil would be a bad thing.

Just out of curiosity, who the heck is Hugo Chavez and how does he fit into H-D's oil picture?

So, what about Syn 3 in the primary chain case? I noticed that it was slightly discolored when I drained it, and there was a metallic whisker or two on the plug magnet. Is Syn 3 OK for the primary, or should it be lubed with something else?

Mine's and '04, so warranty is not a consideration at this point.

Thanks,
Rod
 
Glider;
One other thing; what weight of gear oil would you use with one of the other products that you mentioned?

Rod
 
Hugo Chavez is the 2 bit tin horn Castro wannabe who runs Venesulia with NO regard for the rights of his citizens..........or any form of democracy.......
 
Hugo Chavez is President for Life of Venezuela, a total socialist who hates America with a passion.
 
Glider;


Just out of curiosity, who the heck is Hugo Chavez and how does he fit into H-D's oil picture?

So, what about Syn 3 in the primary chain case? I noticed that it was slightly discolored when I drained it, and there was a metallic whisker or two on the plug magnet. Is Syn 3 OK for the primary, or should it be lubed with something else?

Mine's and '04, so warranty is not a consideration at this point.

Thanks,
Rod

Chavez is the dictator of Venezuela that is holding our country hostage for oil and responsible for raising oil prices for our people.

In the primary you are better off with a NON synthetic or any oil like the syn 3 that they try to pass of as a synthetic when it isn't. I like the formula + for the primary.

Do some reading in the self help forums for more input.

Primary Oil (synthetic) - Harley Davidson Community

Syn 3 In The Transmission - Harley Davidson Community

Who Makes The Harley Oil Chemicals - Harley Davidson Community
 
Thanks guys for all the input.
So today I bit the bullet and drained out the brand new Syn 3 from the transmission, and replaced it with Pennzoil synthetic 75W-140 GL5 gear lube. I could not find a local source of Spectro oils, so I figured I would give this a try.

Time will tell how it works I guess.

Rod
 
While we are on the subject of oil changing, I wonder if others feel as I do about changing the primary chain fluid.

This job is a bit of a PITA because of having to remove the Derby cover to put in the new fluid. This involves five Torx #27 screws, then there is the inevitable drippy oil mess running down the chain case. Even to take the cover off, you have to first remove the left rear passenger foot board, at least on baggers. This is just plain not handy.

Why couldn't H-D put a fill plug in the upper part of the outer chain case that removes with a simple Torx or Allen driver? Would this be too easy?
It's not like the chaincase level is critical or anything, and the specified amount of fill oil is easy to insert using the level indicator on the oil bottle.

Have I missed something?

Rod
 
Smitty;
OK, I'll buy importance of the level business.
How about a fill plug at just the right level on the side of the cover just in front of the Derby cover?
That would change a 30 minute job into a 5 minute job.
It would also make finding the correct level much easier than trying to see where it is thru the Derby cover opening.

My '04 manual makes no mention of clutch or plate inspection as a part of the fluid changing process, BTW.

Rod
 
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