Too Late for Synthetic

[gaillarry]

Just acquired an 86 FLHTC at an estate sale. There's no history on the bike but it runs good, some white smoke from the pipes, but an oil change is needed. With 51,000 miles is it too late to switch to syn??

[fatboydon24]

i've never heard of it being to late.I would change to syn amsoil.there will be others telling yah

[RG50]

Considering the bike has 51000 and may be burning oil,I would just do service with regular fluids.Would not hurt to ride it it a while and see how it does.
If the bike is burning oil ,why use expensive syn.?
If does not use a lot of oil ,change to syn. if you want.

[TXCHOP]

IMO, stay with regular non syn oil. I have seen a couple guys over the years change to syn on some "broken in" evo's and they will all leak. I dont know if its becuase the molecules are smaller or, they keep the motor cleaner inside, but i would stay away.

[gaillarry]

Since its burning oil I'll stay with dino oil.

[bustert]

got a 74 xl with 150k miles and never touched syn oil. i have used the whole gammit of oil, whatever was handy at the time. automotive to so called motorcycle oil, 30 wt to 60 wt. good maintenance is the key. only work done was a blue print top end in 75 because i totaled the bike by taking the front end off a 72 impala which caused some broken valve springs when the engine came to an abrupt stop.

[doc ock]

Pull the jugs, do a ring job to fix the smoking and then through some syn it the pig.