First Gens and Synthetic Oils

[george0fthejungle]

Hey everyone and especially First Gen Guru's,

 

Has anyone had any experience using synthetic oils in older bikes? I ask because last year I switched to Mobiles synthetic 10k oil in my cars and saw a noticeably cooling operating temperature and a slight increase in MPG.

 

This got me thinking about trying it in my '83 Venture but Im hesitant to leap before asking around. I dont put more than 5 - 7k miles a year on the bike so its not reducing how often I change the oil that appeals to me, rather Im interested in running the bike a little cooler and hopefully squeezing a few more miles out of each tank.

 

Any opinions?

 

GeorgeoftheJungle

 

p.s. sorry for the double post, I accidentally stuck this in "watering hole" too.

[91nwl]

I use Yamalube. It used to be 20W-40 and is now 10W-40. It is a semi-synthetic. I used a full synthetic once and had clutch slippage, so I rebuilt the clutch and went back to the Yamalube. But, I really don't think the synthetic oil had anything to do with the clutch slippage. I use Mobil 1 MXT-4 in my Goldwing, never any problems. Make sure you do not use an evergy conserving oil in your First Gen since it has moly in it and the 1st gens are subject to clutch slippage anyway. Use a 10W-40 and it will, most likely, not be energy conserving...check the label. All -30's are energy conserving.

[GeorgeS]

I use mobil I the heavy wgt stuff:

 

If clutch slipping, easy fix is just a new set of springs. Cheap, easy to change.

 

I have heard that the V-Max springs are Stronger,

 

Or Install an Aftermarket Clutch, that will deffinatly cure any clutch slippage.

I am running the Barnett Clutch, No more problems, its been in there now for 50K, still going strong.

[timgray]

Mobil 1 15W50 without friction modifiers. works great, no clutch slippage, transmission shifts smoother.

 

you have to make sure you do not have any friction modifiers in the oil, those will make the clutch slip.

[frogmaster]

Any good mechanic will tell you as a general rule of thumb do NOT use SYN Oils (Of the same weight's XXw-XX) in engines that have been using regular oils and have higher mileage unless your trained or experienced in what to watch out for.

Edited February 8, 2010 by frogmaster
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