Synthetic lubes

[XS1100 Newbie]

Anybody had experience with using Synthetics in the gearboxes, and the oil? Just wondering, because i am going to change all my fluids, and was thinking about using Synthetics.

[bikerphil]

It's ok to use synthetic in the mid drive and the final, but not so for engine oil, the clutch may slip.

[Silent]

A friend that works at a Yamaha dealer sugested I run full synthetic in the FJR, and it has a wet clutch. As long as it's a motorcycle specific synthetic I don't see why it wouldn't work since most, if not all, the Yamaha's are wet clutch.

[motoman]

I changed mine out a couple years ago using Royal Purple 75-140w in both middle and final drive. Notice thar final drive housing is not near as warm as previously and the notorious wine of both these cases is all but gone.

[Crazcnuk]

I think synthetic is ok in these bikes, IF your clutch is in good shape.

After 30ish years, I think most our clutches are just not as robust as they used to be, so this may run us into trouble.

[cywelchjr]

I would also suspect that newer bikes have different material and are designed with synthetics in mind. That said, once I get my replacement engine in place and am sure everything is seated in, I'll probably give a synthetic a try and see what it does. Maybe it will work, and maybe not, but if the clutch slips I'll just switch back to dino oil.

[Jerry]

Am running a synthetic in the final drive, have not switched yet in the middle drive but will soon. Not going to start another oil thread about engine oil...

[tw1980]

Well it's obvious you're a new guy or you wouldn't have opened this can of worms. I replaced my clutch plates 5000 miles ago and I use 15-50 Mobil 1.The clutch does not slip and synthetic oil can withstand greater heat than conventional oil.According to all the German Porsche people.But if you don't have a semi new clutch use caution.Terry P.S. I was just ribbing you about the new guy thing.Please feel free to ask any questions you like.

[Axel]

Amsoil

Amsoil 10w40 motorcycle synthetic oil in the engine and I've ordered Amsoil Severe Gear 75w90 for the drives . My clutch slips less than it did with dino .

[Crazcnuk]

"synthetic oil can withstand greater heat than conventional oil"

Yes, it can, but so what? I don't really need to run my bike while it's on fire.

Anything else nature can dish out has been tried and tested over the last hundred years. These bikes were designed to run in any environment on the planet, on conventional oil.

The only advantage to synthetic is it doesn't need to be changed as often, yet most people still change it as though it were dino oil

[wingnut]

If and that's a big if, your clutch plates have been replaced with new and your springs are new you can run the synthetic oils with no problems. Old barley hanging in there parts and you run the risk of big time slippage. Had an 82 650 last week that the owner had used synthetic oil on the last change. The clutch slippage had gotten progressively worse after the change. It was so bad after about 2 weeks it felt like a Harley when going up the road. Slipped in every gear. Changed out the oil with the Valoline 20W50 motorcycle oil and had to readjust the clutch. Had to run the bike for about 40 miles after the change and adjustment before the slippage went away. Why take the chance on the synthetic. You need to change the oil anyway to get the dirt out so use the old stuff. Its cheaper. Don't care what brand you chose just make sure it dose not have the friction modifiers in it

[trbig]

I don't really need to run my bike while it's on fire.

That's how I blow the flames out from leaky carbs..


Tod

[Crazcnuk]

With my lowers, that just creats a blow torch in the area of my legs!

My clutch started slipping after I rebuilt the top end. Apparently, I'm making a little more power now!