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SCREAMIN’ EAGLE® SYN3 SYNTHETIC
MOTORCYCLE LUBRICANT - FAQS
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Q: What are the key benefits
to using SYN3?
- A: SYN3 can be used in the engine, primary
chain case, and transmission. Consumer convenience of multi-use
product. Improved film strength for better wear protection at high
temperature, and improved deposit control for a cleaner engine,
transmission, and primary chain case. Reduced oil consumption,
improved wear protection, high temperature detergency, and overall
field performance. Use of one lubricant will lessen the chance of
mixing incompatible lubricants or filling a cavity with the wrong
product.
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Q: I keep hearing this
product referred to as SYN3, what does that mean?
- A: SYN3 it is a synthetic product that has
three uses, and is also produced from a proprietary three-synthetic
basestock formula.
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Q: Is SYN3 a full- or
semi-synthetic?
- A: SYN3 is a full synthetic lubricant. It
is the general practice in the industry that a "True Synthetic" is
formulated with Group IV Polyaplhaolefin (PAO) basestocks. SYN3 is
formulated with PAO basestocks and is a "True-Synthetic"
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Q: Who makes or blends this
product?
- A: SYN3 is a proprietary blend,
exclusively custom-blended for Harley-Davidson.
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Q: Why is Harley-Davidson
introducing a synthetic, when for years dealers and customers have
been told not to use a synthetic in HD/Buell motorcycles.
- A: The Motor Company has never supported
the use of synthetic products in our vehicles because there has
never been any test validations completed on the numerous
formulations in HD/Buell motorcycles. This product has been
exclusively designed for Harley-Davidson and is the only synthetic
product TESTED and CERTIFIED by Harley-Davidson engineering for use
in HD/Buell motorcycles.
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Q: What kind of testing was
done on SYN3?
- A: Over three years of laboratory bench
testing, dynamometer testing under accelerated conditions, open road
vehicle durability testing, closed course durability testing, and
wear and deposit rating analysis.
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Q: How many miles have been
put on motorcycles during development?
- A: In addition to the bench testing that
was completed during the formulation process, additional testing can
be broken down as follows: Engine Testing-230,000+ miles of
durability testing and 81 hrs. of dyno testing Transmission
Testing-200,000+ miles of durability testing and 430 hrs. of dyno
testing Clutch Testing-170,000+ miles of clutch testing.
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Q: Will HD360 be replaced by
SYN3?
- A: No, it is our intention to provide
customers an alternative lubricant product from Harley-Davidson, and
in particular a formula that is very effective for high performance
engines and hot climate applications. SYN3 is an alternative
lubricant product that will help keep those engines running
smoothly.
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Q: What vehicle powertrain
cavities can be filled with SYN3?
- A: SYN3 can be used in the engine, primary
chaincase, and transmission.
-
Q: What powertrains can this
product be used in?
- A: Evolution XL, Evolution1340, Twin Cam
88 (all displacements), Revolution, and all Buell models.
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Q: Can this product be used
in Shovelhead engines, 4-speed Big Twin transmissions, 4-speed XL
trans/primary, and early Shovelhead 5-speed transmissions?
- A: Harley-Davidson did not test SYN3 in
these engine configurations. There are a multitude of tests that
must be completed before a lubricant can be certified for use in
Harley-Davidson engines, primary chaincases and transmissions. Many
of these tests require that the components be brand new, then
dimensionally inspected (blueprinted) before testing begins in order
that the wear on each part can be measured. We were not able to
procure the required quantity of new Shovelhead engines, Big Twin
4-speed transmissions and pre-evolution XL engine assembles, and
therefore we were not able to conduct all of the testing required
for validation. SYN3 is approved for '86-'90 XL 4-Speed
Transmissions.
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Q: How can SYN3 withstand
being used in the transmission.
- A: The viscosity modifier included in this
product has improved shear stability.
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Q: Will the use of SYN3
lengthen my service intervals?
- A: No, we recommend that you still follow
your owner’s manual for the proper service schedule for your
vehicle.
-
Q: If this product is a high
performance lubricant, why would my service intervals not be extended?
- A: While SYN3 will help reduce the amount
of impurities to your engine, no lubricant product can reduce fuel
dilution (this happens every time you start your vehicle). As a
result, the regular service schedule is recommended for optimum
performance of your vehicle. Lubricants begin to break down the
moment the engine is started. The long molecular strands of the
lubricant begin to be sheared between the faces of gears, pistons or
other moving parts. SYN3 was tested to confirm that the lubricant
provides the protection required for the engine, primary chaincase
and transmission for the drain intervals specified in the Owner's
Manual.
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Q: Does SYN3 help with
anti-wear or roller bearing wear?
- A: SYN3 contains anti-wear formulations to
provide the proper lubricity for all moving parts.
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Q: A common concern with
other available synthetic oils is that roller bearings may "skate" or
"float" in the bearing race, and not actually rotate as designed. How
does SYN3 prevent this from happening?
- A: SYN3 was formulated to provide improved
high temperature stability, shear stability, proper lubricity for
anti-wear (without roller bearing "skate" or "float") and maintain
the coefficient of friction for proper clutch operation (without
clutch slippage). Harley-Davidson does not recommend any lubricants
that have not been tested and approved by Harley-Davidson
engineering because we do not control the formulations. Lubricants
are reformulated frequently to meet changing American Petroleum
Institute (API) Ratings. API Ratings are developed and tested for
use in water-cooled automotive engines and diesel applications.
There is not an API Rating (classification) for Motorcycle Engines.
Harley-Davidson, in close partnership with our suppliers, analyzed
available petrochemical technology and developed a custom-blended
candidate fluid that could be used in all three cavities of a
Harley-Davidson/Buell motorcycle.
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Q: Will I still need an oil
cooler on my high performance engine, or does SYN3 cool faster?
- A: One of the benefits of the
Harley-Davidson selected Premium Quality 3 Synthetic Basestocks,
Group IV Polyalphaolefin (PAO) and Additive Package is that they
offer improved lubrication and cooling. SYN3 has been tested at
temperatures up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, for extended periods of
time with no significant breakdown. If someone is interested in
running an oil cooler on their Harley-Davidson, a Genuine Motor
Accessory oil cooler is recommended for optimal proven performance.
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Q: Can a brand new bike have
its fluids drained and refilled with SYN3, without voiding the
warranty?
- A: Yes, this product can be used as a
first fill upon delivery of a new motorcycle. The formula is
approved by Harley-Davidson for use in all stages of engine life and
is not detrimental to the engine break-in cycle.
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Q: Do I need to completely
drain the cavities that are going to be filled with SYN3?
- A: Yes, we do not recommend mixing SYN3
with other lubricant products.
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Q: Since it is recommended
to not mix OEM fluids with SYN3, how do you suggest the technician or
consumer drain his vehicle to completely remove all OEM fluids?
- A: During servicing, a residual amount of
fluid will remain in the sumps. It is not required to "flush" out
the residual fluids. Testing was completed on this scenario and SYN3
is approved for replacement of factory fills.
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Q: Should I put a can of
additive in with each oil change?
- A: No, SYN3 is blended with an additive
package already included, and other additives are not needed and may
not be compatible with SYN3. In fact, oil additives may actually
dilute the SYN3 formulation.
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Q: If I’m on the road, and
realize I’m down a quart of engine oil, and cannot buy SYN3, what
should I use?
- A: If SYN3 is not available and addition
of motor oil is required, the first choice would be to add H-D 360
SAE 20W50 to the SYN3 for engine lubrication. Although H-D 360 is
compatible with SYN3, we suggest the mixture of the fluids be
changed as soon as possible. If H-D 360 is not available, the second
choice would be to add an acceptable diesel engine oil as listed in
the Owner's Manual, and again we suggest the mixture of the fluids
be changed as soon as possible. DO NOT add diesel engine oil to the
primary chaincase or transmission.
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Q: Can a quart of oil be
added to the Primary Chaincase or Transmission when SYN3 in not
available?
- A: If SYN3 is not available and addition
of lubricant to the Primary Chaincase (Evolution 1340 & Twin Cam 88)
is required, the first choice would be to add H-D Primary Chaincase
Lubricant. Although H-D Primary Chaincase Lubricant is compatible
with SYN3, we suggest the mixture of the fluids be changed as soon
as possible. If SYN3 is not available and addition of lubricant to
the Primary Chaincase and Transmission (common reservoir) for
Evolution XL and all Buell models is required, the first choice
would be to add H-D Sport-Trans Fluid. Although H-D Sport-Trans
Fluid is compatible with SYN3, we suggest the mixture of the fluids
be changed as soon as possible. If SYN3 is not available and
addition of lubricant to the Transmission (Evolution 1340 & Twin Cam
88) is required, DO NOT ADD H-D Semi-Synthetic Transmission
Lubricant as the two lubricants are NOT compatible.
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