Switching to Synthetic

[Ventureless]

Not trying to start anything here with my question. Not looking for brand or weight suggestions. Would it be wise to switch to synthetic oil at over 80K miles? As far as I know, the bike has had nothing but dino run through it. I use synthetic in everything else I own except this bike. It is said that sometimes there is a problem when switching to synthetic. The problem being that it is so thin, you may end up getting leaks in some of the seals. I have only experienced this with one vehicle that I have ever switched over. The rest have all been fine. I have also never switched in something with this high of miles. So what do you think?

 

Thanks

[BigLenny]

I'm sure you will get some discussion on the possibility of clutch slippage. With an older bike, and the stock diaphragm spring in these bikes being known to be a weak point, slicker oil might start you down the road to purchasing one of Skydoc's clutch kits. That's what happened to me last year, and my RSTD only had 30k miles on it.

[2WHEELSFORME]

If it ain't broke why fix it?

[dueyk1111]

Synthetic is wonderful stuff! it ain't gonna matter switch'n at that kind of milage, i switched my old virago at 20k or 30k and never had any problems! I too run syn in everything else i own 'n' is a firm believer in it! IF your gonna develope a leak or have clutch slippage, it was close to that stuff happen'n' any way.

[dallio]

i am switching to synthetic this spring when i change my oil. i was told that it won't hurt it but mine only has 35K

[djh3]

For whatever reason I use to hear more of this years ago when Syn oils were "new". I the last say 15-20yr not so much anymore. The syn oils stay more constant on the lubricating specs and also dont "spoil" or collect the acids and stuff that makes dyno oil varnish etc.

[Mike G in SC]

I'm sure you will get some discussion on the possibility of clutch slippage. With an older bike, and the stock diaphragm spring in these bikes being known to be a weak point, slicker oil might start you down the road to purchasing one of Skydoc's clutch kits. That's what happened to me last year, and my RSTD only had 30k miles on it.

 

Got me thinking about Skydoc clutch spring kit instead of replacement.

My 50k mile Venture is good but I just got a bigger trailer and may need to beef it up.

I do not see his spring kit listed on his classifieds. Is he still selling them?

 

Thanks, Mike G.

[MikeWa]

If everything is working I don't think I would recommend switching. Some of these bikes seem to be oil sensitive. I am not sure if you want to find out if yours is one of them. Some time ago I switched from Yamalube to Amsoil motor cycle oil. Within 500 miles my transmission / clutch was screaming so bad I could hardly ride. So I switched back to Yamalube. It took over a thousand miles for things to quiet back down. I feel like I was lucky because things did get back to near normal.

 

I am not saying don't switch. Just be aware and be willing to switch back at the first sign of trouble.

 

Mike

[Peder_y2k]

I hate to complicate things for you, but just be aware that several of the newer 'synthetic' labeled oils (Castrol Syn, etc.) are made from highly refined dino oil. There are still just a few genuinely synthetic oils on the market. The few I can remember this morning (one cup-o-joe) are Mobil1, Amsoil, Royal Purple,....................................? Hmpff, can't remember anymore. I'm not sure about the Shell Rotella Syn.

The big problem with synthetics is the breakdown from high heat that converts the oil into acids. That heat level is somewhere around 800*F, and mc's are not likely to even come close. Maybe your Learjet can do that.

-Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

'83,88 - using Shell Rotella 15-30 dino

[BigLenny]

Got me thinking about Skydoc clutch spring kit instead of replacement.

My 50k mile Venture is good but I just got a bigger trailer and may need to beef it up.

I do not see his spring kit listed on his classifieds. Is he still selling them?

 

Thanks, Mike G.

 

Mike,

 

Ya know, I'm not sure if Earl (Skydoc) is still selling them. I assume he is.

 

The spring kit and friction plates I bought from him really made the bike pull stronger. The clutch lever pull was a tad bit harder, but I got used to it after the first ride. The thing I like most about it, is I don't have to throttle the bike as much to take of, and/or creep around at slower speeds.

 

Lynn

[ACE50]

Don't even try Royal Purple. I've heard more problems with that in a motorcycle than any other brand.

BTW, Rotella T6 is just a highly refined dino oil that is 'allowed' to be called synthetic.

[djh3]

Hmm the jug says "full syn". So to me that should mean its all syn. So far everything I have googled up says its fully syn also. If its blended I should think thats what it will say.

[ACE50]

Hmm the jug says "full syn". So to me that should mean its all syn. So far everything I have googled up says its fully syn also. If its blended I should think thats what it will say.

Blended means dino with syn. T6 is as I said. Refined enough to be allowed to be called syn.

[spike13]

if skydoc is no longer selling the clutch kit the spring upgrade from barnett is great as well

[octoberboy]

My RSV had about 47K on it when I switched to Mobil 1. I did get a little bit of whine but unless I really listened for it I didn't notice it. I changed oil this spring and stayed with Mobil 1. No clutch slipping, no whining. Bike seems happy. Owner is happy. Wife is happy, which is the most important of them all.

[XV1100SE]

From the first oil change I did myself at 6,000km I've used Mobil 1. Never experience a whine (currently 37,000km).

 

Cost of Mobil 1 oil here to change the oil in the bike is $70-$75. Rotella T6 is normally $43. I put Rotella T6 in at the end of the winter and have put about 100km (60 miles) on the bike since. No whine so far but will keep an eye on it. Picked up another jug at Canadian Tire on sale for $35 so I'm good for oil until mid summer.

[Jactana]

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Oils1.html

 

Best oil article based on fact in lay terms. Ron

[Mike G in SC]

Went to Amsoil in everything I got (car, SUV, two Royals, think even my Deere) about 5 years ago, ain't looking back.

But, I know, that was not the question.