Two new buells! A few questions

[Rogue]

Many of those articles are based on authoritative sources.  

[chornbe]

Can someone point to an authoritative article or tech bulletin on why synth oil is bad or how it can be used "too soon"? The operative word here is authoritative. I'm not looking for "because the rings need to seat in". I'm an ASE certified engine mechanic. I know all about rings. I'm looking for authoritative evidence that synth oils are "bad" because they're "too slippery"...  

I'm just repeating this because all I can find when I looked were private web sites, blogs, opinion pieces and the occasional un-sourced or un-attributed magazine article.

"According to experts..." is not an attributed source.

[st ryder]

... authoritative...

I guess it all depends on who you consider to be an authority. How about Moto-Man?

"3 more words on break- in: NO SYNTHETIC OIL !!"

http://www.miatapower.com/engine-break-in.htm

[Tpoppa]

For the plastic, the Novus 1-2-3 kit woks great (search ebay).  1 is the polish, 2 & 3 will remove any light to medium scratches.

1125s are shipped with Dino, this is from a reliabe source (not me).  I believe the HD CVO motor is the only HD-related motor that ships with Syn.

[chornbe]

I guess it all depends on who you consider to be an authority. How about Moto-Man?

"3 more words on break- in: NO SYNTHETIC OIL !!"

http://www.miatapower.com/engine-break-in.htm

He's a consumer just like you and me.

I basically agree with him that he won't break an engine by running it hard from the get-go - if properly warmed up and you get the initial break-in oil out of it. Initial break-in or assembly lube has certain polishing compounds in it and is really, really bad to leave in long term.

[Skee]

Re: Moto-Man
I followed Moto-Man instructions to break-in my FJR.
I followed the manufacturer's instructions to break in my Wee.
Rarely, if ever, had to add oil to the FJR between changes.
I have noticed in the last 3 months that Wee is consuming almost a quart between changes.
It's not fair comparing a Suzuki V-twin to a Yamaha FJR.
Just sayin'.

As far as synthetic, for me, I did not find it cost effective.
Not sayin' that it doesn't have it's advantages.
Simple as that.

[st ryder]

He's a consumer just like you and me.

That does not make him anything less of an authority. Like the hackneyed saying goes, "The Titanic was built by professionals..."  

[chornbe]

That does not make him anything less of an authority. Like the hackneyed saying goes, "The Titanic was built by professionals..."  

Fair enough. By that logic, I'm an authority, and I say use whatever oil you want, just change it often, always use a new filter and for the sake of kittens and puppies everywhere, do NOT - EVER - free-rev your engine to red line and NEVER free-rev your engine while it's cold. Ever. Don't beat on your engine when it's cold - always let it come up to temp.

Following THOSE rules (along with the common sense stuff about oil level, etc) and you'll never blow an engine from abuse.

 

[st ryder]

Fair enough. By that logic, I'm an authority, and I say use whatever oil you want, just change it often, always use a new filter and for the sake of kittens and puppies everywhere, do NOT - EVER - free-rev your engine to red line and NEVER free-rev your engine while it's cold. Ever. Don't beat on your engine when it's cold - always let it come up to temp.

Following THOSE rules (along with the common sense stuff about oil level, etc) and you'll never blow an engine from abuse.

 

Sounds good. Whether or not I choose to follow your advice is based on my belief system, not your credentials. Who do you trust on matters of motorcycle defects? The experience of the ownership groups as collected and shared in such forums as this, or the factories who often deny widely reported defects exist? Who has the credentials, and who are the experts? Don't know 'bout you, but I tend to believe owners, because they *are* the experts on living with the bike, though they didn't design it. I don't know how many times I've worked with engineers who have told me things that I experience everyday are not possible.   People around the globe have a 8,000,000 : 1 chance of dying from swine flu. Rather than buying people soft, impact absorbing floor coverings so people won't kill themselves falling out of bed because the odds of that happening are far greater than getting and dying from the swine flu, the authoritative experts are promoting inoculation against swine flu.

Experts don't know shit half the time.  

 

[chornbe]

 I don't know how many times I've worked with engineers who have told me things that I experience everyday are not possible.    

Dude... I work in software. 'Nuff said.  

Experts don't know shit half the time.  

 

[Rogue]

Experts don't know shit half the time.  

 

I would have to agree.  Lots of cases that point to this.  Most recently, Enron, Tyson, GM, Fanie Mae/Freddie Mack, Other recently failed financial institutions, etc.  

[fast2win]

I have used regular car wax's or polishes on the body work. If you have light scratches a polish will work, a buffing wheel helps to speed things up. I wouldn't be too afraid to try different types

[RideEcono]

This is an old thread but, the manual specifically states to use a Synthetic Motorcycle Lubricant, then use multi-grade if synthetic is not available. The manual also specifically states not to mix types of oils.