Syn3

[Deuce07]

Can anyone tell me the chemical make up of this oil?

 

[G-MAN]

It's basically a synthetic blend of 50-70% PAO and the rest a mix of Group III and Bright Stock (Group I).


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1-Decene Homopolymer, hydrogenated
68037-01-4
50% - 70%

Proprietary Ingredients
Proprietary Mixture
1% - 10%

Polyisobutylene
9003-27-4
1% - 10%

Distillates, Petroleum, Hydrotreated Heavy Paraffinic
64742-54-7
0% - 20%

Distillates, Petroleum, Solvent-Refined Heavy Paraffinic
64741-88-4
0% - 20%

Zinc Alkyldithiophosphate
68649-42-3
0% - 2%

 

[Deuce07]

So I'm assuming with this much PAO, it can be considered a well performing oil in a new Harley for the average rider?

 

[G-MAN]

Quote:

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So I'm assuming with this much PAO, it can be considered a well performing oil in a new Harley for the average rider?

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Not for the money. Syn3 is a solid oil but it is way overpriced. I think there are better choices out there, including what I'm using: Penn Grade 1 20w50 racing oil. It's a PAO/Group I blend priced at under $3 per quart.

 

[Deuce07]

thanks for the info G-MAN. Would you consider it robust enough for the transmission application also?

 

[G-MAN]

Quote:

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thanks for the info G-MAN. Would you consider it robust enough for the transmission application also?

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I e-mailed Brad Penn and asked them that very question. They said yes. So I'm going to try it in my transmission.

 

[TimVipond]

Is Syn3 still made by the Hugo Chavez Oil Company (Citco)? Does anybody else find it odd that All American Harley is lubed by Anti American Hugo?

Syn 3 doesn't work well in transmissions, but Harley's new transmission oil is supposed to work well. Amsoils MCV works great in transmission, engine and primary. Some prefer Amsoil's Severe Gear lubes (75w90, 75w110, 75w140) in the gear box.

 

[Deuce07]

New trans oil? Do you mean the Formula + ?

 

[TimVipond]

yep. That is their new synthetic. I think they recommend up to 20,000 miles.

 

[47HO]

Personally I'd use a high quality gear oil in the tranny, 75W-90 or thicker. I use Amsoil 75W-110, but many others will work well also.

 

[GMBoy]

I used to use Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W/50 in my Duece and my wife's Lowrider (both Twin Cams) but just switched to the new Redline HD 20W/60 because I got 2 cases as a gift. I had no issues with M1 and can recommend it. I'll let everybody know how the Redline does on my trip to Sturgis coming up. It seems real thick, maybe more thick than needed. As for the transmissions, I use M1 75W/90 gear oil and I use the Harley Formula + in the primarys. I feel that the harley primary/trans fluid is the best thing for a big twin primary, but the gear oils work best in the trannys. In any event I steer clear of the Harley SYN3. I did try the oil in all 3 holes and was so dissapointed in the rough shifting that I dumped the trans fluid within 200 miles. Once the trans fluid was changed back to M1 gear oil the tranny was fine again. (I did run the SYN3 in the motor and primary until change time).

So, my feelings are that the Harley oil is (like G-Man said) overpriced - plenty of oils out there better for the money. Use The harley Primary fluid and use a gear oil in the tranny. I still have my first Harley, a 1984 Ironhead 1000cc Sportster still looks great and runs great. I used M1 Car oil 15W/50 most of its life even in the trans/primary with no problems - ever. I now use a regular 20W/50 oil due to the word that some oil additives can hurt the clutch.

G-Man - I have been wanting to ask you why you were running 15W40 in your 883 with the factory recommending a 20W/50? Your results seem very good, however. I guess I was worrying about the 40wt part being too low. Did you notice a litte better mpg or power? I just dumped Rotella 15w/40 in my old Sportster because its what I had and never ride it anymore anyhow. Guess it would be okay for any short litte trips I take occasionally to keep the bike exercised.