Synthetic Oil Life Expectancy

G

Greyhairracer

Member
All,
Getting ready for my 2500 mile service on my '05 bulldog and had a question regarding switching to Mobil 1.
I'm sure this has been discussed previously - just to lazy to find it!!! Going to switch to Mobil 1 (I've got three cases in my garage sitting there never used - too expensive to throw out!!!) but have a question regarding expected mileage between changes.
Typically, Mobil 1 states you can run a car up to 10k miles before changing your oil. No one I know does this, typical runs between changes can be expected around 5k miles.
Question - BDM states 2500 miles service intervals - if switching to Mobil 1 can you extend your service interval to 5k miles?
Mobil 1 is way too expensive to change out every 2500 miles......

Thanks!!
 
W

woodbutcher

Mr. Old Fart member #145
Staff member
hope you are not planing on using Mobil 1 for cars in the bike. v-twin is a different formula.
 
1mndg

1mndg

RIDE IT HARD!!!
Theoretically synthetic oils never break down or loose viscosity. The problem is keeping it filtered and contamination free from piston blow by which starts to wash the oil out with fuel. You should be able to get more miles between oil changes but must still change the filter and top off. I have already pushed my vehicles past 10,000 miles but changed the filters with no problems. And Yes you can switch back and forth from Syn to Reg oils. Hope that helps you out.
 
oldmutt

oldmutt

Active Member
I run 5w30 in my truck and 20w50 in the bike. Change out truck at 5K and the bike at 3K. You have invested thousands in the bike, I few $$ to keep it safe is priceless.
 
BWG56

BWG56

Guru
$8.00/quart Mobil1(20-50) x 4 + $10K&N filter= cheap oil change in my mind. Every year or 2500 miles
 
G

Greyhairracer

Member
Thanks for the feedback....understand the differences between viscosity/thermal breakdown between conventional and synthetic oils - didn't consider the weight characteristics (5w-30 to 20w-50) - knew there was a reason I asked!!!
Hey Bob, don't know about you or what you've been told, but I've always been told never, ever switch back and forth between conventional and syn oils.....very bad for your motor!! Once you go syn stay syn!!! Different molecular structures/cleaning characteristics between the oils. Since S&S recommends Mobil 1 just thought I'd ask. Motor's got Red Line in it now.

Thanks all!!!
 
Mad Dog

Mad Dog

ValueTeck Enterprises
KnotSo said:
Ditch the throwaway filter and get something like this from ValueTeck (BDB Site Sponsor) :2thumbs: K&P Micronic Motorcycle Oil Filters and more at ValueTeck. Visit ValueTeck And Save!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the plug Wade. I have them available in 3 finishes on The Group Buy Page for less $$$. http://valuetec.startlogic.com//page12.html
Great filter, does a great job and will last the life of your Dog.
Check em out.:2thumbs:

As far as the oil being an AMSOIL dealer and knowing HD says to change every 5K I use the synthetic and still change every5K. It is said you can double the miles with synth. but I feel its good insurance to error on the side of caution. Rest assured i'll never have an oil related issue.
 
PaulHart

PaulHart

Well-Known Member
1mndg said:
Theoretically synthetic oils never break down or loose viscosity. The problem is keeping it filtered and contamination free from piston blow by which starts to wash the oil out with fuel. You should be able to get more miles between oil changes but must still change the filter and top off. I have already pushed my vehicles past 10,000 miles but changed the filters with no problems. And Yes you can switch back and forth from Syn to Reg oils. Hope that helps you out.
Click to expand...
This is good info here. I have 2 micron bypass system on the big truck and don't change the oil at all until a laboratory tells me to change it. Oil will get dirty long before it wears out. Switching back and forth as long as it's the same weight is no problem. I was using 15W-40 in my truck and switched to 5W-40 a synthetic oil three years ago because of better cold start properties and I was using it in a Genset already. I had a lot of oil use at first until the rings seated in with the new oil. Oil consumption went from 1 gal/12000 miles to 3 gal/12000 miles. It took about 60000 miles before I was back to normal again. Also a improvement in fuel mileage. This math makes sense when I'm turning 140000 miles a year and services are normally $300 bucks every 12/15000. Saves me a couple thousand a year.

I also run the K&P filter from Valuetec. Filtration is the key. But hey 3 quarts of oil. Dump it every 2500 anyway. Unless your just trying to save the planet how much you really saving anyway. Take your miles between oil changes and divide it by the cost of changing your oil. $40/2500 miles .016 per mile $40/5000 miles .008 were talking lees than a penny a mile here.
 
Mad Dog

Mad Dog

ValueTeck Enterprises
No I don't sell them at this time. I hear good things about them and the principal is sound. Removing all the dirty oil can only be a good thing.:2thumbs:
I should look into it.
 
Mad Dog

Mad Dog

ValueTeck Enterprises
I talked with Phil at Rouge Choppers today. I will be placing an order with him and will offer group buy pricing. Should have them next week sometime. I'll keep everyone posted. Won't jack this thread anymore. Check in the Group Buy section.
Thanks,
Don
 
Five Five

Five Five

Well-Known Member
Use Mobil-1 V-Twins change mine out every 2.5-K miles ...... I like the way the Mobil-1 maintains it's viscosity at high temps.... oil pressure never drops below 10 PSI while HOT and stuck in traffic at an idle .... where other oils have...
 
Nukeranger

Nukeranger

Nukeranger
PaulHart said:
This is good info here. I have 2 micron bypass system on the big truck and don't change the oil at all until a laboratory tells me to change it. Oil will get dirty long before it wears out. Switching back and forth as long as it's the same weight is no problem. I was using 15W-40 in my truck and switched to 5W-40 a synthetic oil three years ago because of better cold start properties and I was using it in a Genset already. I had a lot of oil use at first until the rings seated in with the new oil. Oil consumption went from 1 gal/12000 miles to 3 gal/12000 miles. It took about 60000 miles before I was back to normal again. Also a improvement in fuel mileage. This math makes sense when I'm turning 140000 miles a year and services are normally $300 bucks every 12/15000. Saves me a couple thousand a year.

I also run the K&P filter from Valuetec. Filtration is the key. But hey 3 quarts of oil. Dump it every 2500 anyway. Unless your just trying to save the planet how much you really saving anyway. Take your miles between oil changes and divide it by the cost of changing your oil. $40/2500 miles .016 per mile $40/5000 miles .008 were talking lees than a penny a mile here.
Click to expand...
:2thumbs:I like your math and the way you think.:2thumbs:
 
K9Anniv

K9Anniv

Well-Known Member
Changing oil is CHEAP INSURANCE for an air-cooled v-twin engine.

I run Amsoil and change it at out least twice a year.

That may be excessive, but I figure why take chances with that expensive S&S engine.
 
S

silver09

Active Member
We use alot of mobile 1 here at my shop seems to hold viscosity well alot of my customers go 5000 miles or more in the oil feild in chevy trucks.:cheers:
 
bruce

bruce

Active Member
I use mobil 1 v-twin 20w50 and change every 2500 miles. have over 30000 miles runs great and NO blow-by still, from engine wear. oil changes are cheap compared to new engine, more is better.with reuseable oil filter only cost me $21.00 and about 30 minutes.
 
Fibersnake

Fibersnake

Banjo Playing PsychoBilly
bruce said:
I use mobil 1 v-twin 20w50 and change every 2500 miles. have over 30000 miles runs great and NO blow-by still, from engine wear. oil changes are cheap compared to new engine, more is better.with reuseable oil filter only cost me $21.00 and about 30 minutes.
Click to expand...
:2thumbs::2thumbs::2thumbs:
 
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