One For The Road
Member
Hi,
I was talking with the mechanic at a local bike shop yesterday. He told me not to run synthetic oil in a Harley motor. His argument is it is too slippery for roller type bearings. The oil is so slippery that the rolling elements can skid and damage the bearings. He tells me he has repaired many motors where the bearings were damaged by using synthetic oil.
He tells me synthetic is great for babbitt (shell type) type bearings but not for rollers. Is this guy just blowing smoke or does he have a point. I know lots of people use synthetic oil so there should be some evidence for it being good or bad.
I don't want to start any arguments over oil but would like to know what others have heard.
Thanks;
Steve
I was talking with the mechanic at a local bike shop yesterday. He told me not to run synthetic oil in a Harley motor. His argument is it is too slippery for roller type bearings. The oil is so slippery that the rolling elements can skid and damage the bearings. He tells me he has repaired many motors where the bearings were damaged by using synthetic oil.
He tells me synthetic is great for babbitt (shell type) type bearings but not for rollers. Is this guy just blowing smoke or does he have a point. I know lots of people use synthetic oil so there should be some evidence for it being good or bad.
I don't want to start any arguments over oil but would like to know what others have heard.
Thanks;
Steve