The syn 3 is rebadged citgo. Amsoil is a top of the line product. Use 70w-90 gear oil in the tranny though instead of oil. Red line is top notch too

 

I have heard before that the MoCo Syn3 is Citgo. FYI if anyone doesn't know, CITGO is owned by the Venezuelan government, one Mr. Hugo Chavez. Chavez and his counterpart Fidel Castro like the American people as much as you like the clap. I don't buy their gas, I don't buy their oil, I don't buy a friggin thing Chavez has to sell. I do like Amsoil; I think mechanically my bike is quieter with it in all 3. IMHO

 

use a gear oil in the tranny. like red line or spectro. syn 3 is wat too thin to use in the teanny. some '11's have had bearing problems, and many on this site believe/sware
its because they use syn 3 in the tranny.

 

syn3

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/search.php?searchid=3494330

Engine Oils and Lubrication

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/engine-oils-lubrication/

head over there quick before someone comes in with a dead horse emoticon!

 

I just moved it there.

 

Thanks

LOL, typical Newbie.... didn't see this room, also neglected to say it's an 09 FXD.....

Yeah, I'm familiar with the variants of Amsoil for the Crank, Primary and Trans. Wanted to see what the consensus is in this Forum..

 

K. For the price of syn 3 you can get a premium oil,not that re-badged citgo crap. However no bikes blew up with any approved oil so you just gotta ask yourself what are you comfortable with. I use a 5w-50 for spring and fall and a straight 50 in the summer. Amsoil,red-line,mobil 1 gold cap and royal purple are all group 4 or better basestocks which means they are a true synthetic. Castrol syntec,mobil 1 tri-syn,penzoil platinum and h-d syn 3 are all group 3 which are a highly refined conventional. So if you choose from the first 4 options you are getting what your paying for. The other 4 aren't real synthetic and the syn 3 is actually a group 2(conventional),group 3 ( refined conventional) and group 4(synthetic) all mixed together. So I shy away from it simply be wise there are better products for the same money.
And because our bikes aren't a shared sump we do not need the expensive v-twin oils with the JASO spec. That spec is for *** bikes. The v-twin oils are good products but not worth the money. If you live in a warm climate any 20w-50 changed at 3000 miles will be fine. Synthetics last longer and resist shearing for longer than conventional. They also dissipate heat better. In the end you have to be comfortable with your choice.
I personally hate anything mobil but tha doesn't mean they don't make good oil. Red-line has a 3 product bike package that I personally really like. The shock proof heavy in the tranny is a must have. It comes with oil for primary and 20-50 for the motor. If you can find that package buy it. Amsoil is also top notch but personally I would use the 75w-90 gear oil in my tranny. They shift better and easier to find neutral.

Honestly though these bikes have been running for 100 years with regular oil so it really comes down to your maintenance schedule. New oil protects better than used oil.

 

Go with the Amsoil and dont look back.
20W-50 in the motor
75-110 in the trans

 

Syn 3 in the primary gives me a grabby clutch engagement, kind of a shudder just this side of a chatter.
Amsoil 20w50 gives me a smooth engagement with no slippage.

YMMV, Caveat Emptor, Unladen European Swallow, etc.,

 

Same for me, PLUS they say the compensators are failing because of not enough lubicant getting in...38k and mines still quiet...the "too slippery amsoil" (LOL) might help them last also!

One last question though...Is that a northern or southern european swallow? careful with your answer...LOL...

 

Havoline 20w-50: great oil, inexpensive, performs well. Change at regular intervals and use that extra cash you save to buy something nice for yourself.

 

Simple syn 3 is a good oil not a great one will do fine but over priced and manufactured by Hugo your money spend it where you wish.
Next there are many great syn engine oils 20/50 for motorcycles
All are out standing.
Redline
Spectro
M1
Royal Purple
Lucaus
Amsoil
So it it comes down to what kind of company do you want to spend your money with, can you pick it up when you want it.
Modern day engines running any of these quality syn engine oil do not fail because of lubrication .
I use Spector not because it is any better than the others in the list but because they are a honest company devoted to motorcycles.

 

Regarding Citgo: true Hugo and co own the stuff, but Citgo employs THOUSANDS of US citizens at its US refineries. Formerly Cities Service, Citgo is an American brand that has the misfortune of being owned by a nutcake (he's dying by the way)

 

Well it is not an American brand if Hugo owns it and controls it.
Trying to change the name will not change who they are

 

Mobil One V-Twin in engine
Mobil One Gear Oil in tranny
HD Formula Plus in primary


has worked great for me for many years.

 

I just did the 7500 mile service and replaced all of the factory oils in the 3 holes that were Syn3 are all now Redline products. They have a Primary oil, a transmission specific oil and a selection of weights for the motor oil. But as was stated this has been talked to death, and No failures I know of that have been caused by any oil as opposed to another. If there is enough lube, it was good enough no failure ever happened due to oil blend or brand, dino or syn....

 

I wish I was still young enough that I thought 5 years was "many". :redrolf:

 

It has already been stated that none of these motors have experienced a failure due to type of oil. Ultimately you have to be comfortable in the choice you make and how you spend your money. Syn 3 isn't bad oil but it's not great,and for the price you can get better. Red line makes a 3 pack for our bikes and I can attest to it improving the feel of my clutch and almost eliminating the "clunk" we get going into first gear. I personally will never put motor oil in my tranny or primary when manufacturers make a specific product for it. It's up to you. How often do you want to wrench on your bike.

 

It has already been stated that none of these motors have experienced a failure due to type of oil. Ultimately you have to be comfortable in the choice you make and how you spend your money. Syn 3 isn't bad oil but it's not great,and for the price you can get better. Red line makes a 3 pack for our bikes and I can attest to it improving the feel of my clutch and almost eliminating the "clunk" we get going into first gear. I personally will never put motor oil in my tranny or primary when manufacturers make a specific product for it. It's up to you. How often do you want to wrench on your bike.

 

I suggest that you go to the Amsoil website and read the white paper on motorcycle oils. It compares all the popular brands in a scientific test.
Then decide for yourself what is best for your baby.

 

Amsoil website, huh? Wonder who's gonna win that test.

 

Any good oil will work with recomended oil changes...

 

Syn 3...

So i Sprung for the Syn 3 for a 3 Hole Change at my Local Dealer yesterday, then over an adult beverage or two last night was convinced to use Amsoil Severe gear in the Trans..... such is life. As stated above pretty much any decent product in the right weight range will work if you change it regularly. I'm hoping the Severe Gear will quiet down that "Clunk"... mine is actually more like a Clank...

 

So i Sprung for the Syn 3 for a 3 Hole Change at my Local Dealer yesterday, then over an adult beverage or two last night was convinced to use Amsoil Severe gear in the Trans..... such is life. As stated above pretty much any decent product in the right weight range will work if you change it regularly. I'm hoping the Severe Gear will quiet down that "Clunk"... mine is actually more like a Clank...

Any good gear lube will work better than engine oil in the transmission.
many run a SYN GL4 or 5 75-140 .
There are not many that stay with 20/50 in the gear box

 

"Any good gear lube will work better than engine oil in the transmission."

I'd like to say you don't have to tell me twice.... LOL, but they had to

 

HD Junk



syn 3 is citgo as mentioned before its junk @gree: Harley went to Amsoil before they had Syn 3 and asked them if they would bottle Amsoil in a Harley bottle Amsoil said YES...:woohoo: but only if there was a Amsoil name on the back of the bottle Harley said NO !:hystria: so Amsoil told Harley to stick it !:beatdh: and found a low grade oil company that would ! don't use oil in a Tranny use severe gear 75-110 or 75-140 Amsoil @gree::cya:

 

Our profits are leaving the country because our politicians (from both sides) allow the foriegn countries have special deals that basically cheat us.

In other words, our own politicians are allowing countries outside the US to have an unfair advantage. American corps are saving (making) money by sending products out of the US to be assembled or made cheaper.

The labor unions push the cost of labor so high that US corps send as much work outside as they possibly can. They have higher profits and we buy cheaper goods. Of course now far too many of us are working at minimum wage because the good jobs are gone. It's somewhat complicated but . . . .

I want to see tariffs on foriegn made stuff to protect our goods that we still make here or to make it feasible to manufacture here again.

Dump the legislators that have allowed this to happen. And the unions will need to rethink wages so we (american corps) can more easily afford to make the goods here and re-hire our own people. We may have to be willing to pay a little more for our goods.

2012 elections - the most important in my lifetime - - - probably yours too

 

well said there fatboy--now 'bout that oil thread:dh:

 

Agreed. This debate is brand new never done before. I was wanting to see how it turns out.

 

I vote go with Amsoil and their filter. Check and fill oil level as necessary and replace after 12 months or 10,000 miles.

 

I could not have said it better my self..............@gree:

 

Semen in all 3 holes is the way to go. The approx 5 quarts per change takes some work, but can be done if you focus really hard.


Oh, wait... This is for the scooter, not the scooter chick?

 

its the unions that prevent rat contractors from under paying workers and letting them have a better way of living. the people that know the least about unions talk the most trash.i am sure alot of my people.iron workers,carpenters,electriaians,fitters and labore would sure take issue with you.retired union carpenter.