Graham,
I haven't done it - yet - in my NH - however - I see no
reason the effect it had on my car engine wouldn't translate to an air
cooled engine. The reason behind the better gas mileage, more power,
lower operating temperature is very simple - reduced friction within
the engine. No one has been able to dispute that a synthetically
constructed lubricant has a lower friction point than a refined crude
based lubricant. I think the debate is really over if it is 'worth it'
either $$ wise or in engine life / performance.
That is really a question that as an Amsoil dealer I would
have told you yes - it was worth it. As an ordinary man to man, I
think it depends greatly on the situation, if its a leased vehicle
you're going to turn in and will then be someone elses problem -
probably not. If its a vehicle that has high mileage and is already
showing some issues - again - this isn't a magic cure-all for engine
problems. However, if your vehicle has moderate mileage and no obvious
known issues, Synthetic oil can provide some tangible benefits. Cold
starting (again, probably not relevant here) being the most obvious /
easiest to demonstrate.
One thing to be wary of - the 'Synthetic blend' oil -
these are synthetic additives on top of a crude oil. They generally
provide no mileage guarantee over a traditional oil and cost more. I
would make the statement that the additives are better - however, this
is is sort of like wearing half a leather jacket. It doesn't work too
well. I recommend either going fully synthetic or staying fully
traditional - either one is fine - both have their advantages and
disadvantages.
I will not go into the political realm that often comes
up in this area - I am trying to remain informative and neutral here.
I will make one comment on the subject of 'reducing our
dependency on foreign oil' - although I wouldn't make the statement
that all lubricating oil comes from overseas - it is safe to assume
that at least a fair percentage of it does. If we went to synthetic
lubricants, exclusively, from any manufacturer, we would reduce our
dependency on oil, foreign or domestic.
If anyone has further questions - I'll answer them off
list - I understand we're not in the business of using this list as a
soapbox for which sort of oil works best.
On a personal note - one earlier 'oil thread' lead me to
realize the problem I've been having with clutch slipping is directly
related to the cheap oils I've been using in the bike of late. I won't
be doing that again. Next time around, it will be a change of Amsoil.
-Joey
On Fri, Jun 25, 2010 at 6:09 PM, Graham Rogers <[email protected]> wrote:
> Very good Joey, do you think Amsoil would reducing engine temp in an air
> cooled m/cycle? I should say has anyone tested to see if it does reduce the
> engine temp? Graham
>
> On Jun 25, 2010, at 4:35 PM, Joey Kelley wrote:
>
>> Graham and All,
>> I am not a chemist - nor do I play one on TV - but - I do
>> live in one of the colder states in the US (by colder I mean that we
>> do get snow and that the winter temperatures often hover around or
>> below freezing) so I do have the occasion to see one of the major
>> benefits of Synthetic oil, cold weather starting. This doesn't apply
>> (I Hope!) to anyone on a motorcycle but it did prove the concept to
>> me.
>> First the background and financial benefits:
>> I used to have a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix with a 3.1L V6. I
>> ran 3000 miles on conventional oil changes for many miles. I began
>> looking at the prices one day on a Mobil 1 Synthetic change and
>> discovered that the price was less than double what my conventional
>> changes were costing me. In other words if I ran 6,000 mile changes, I
>> would be ahead of the game. I went for it. I only did two changes with
>> Mobil 1 and a friend, and Amsoil dealer, mentioned Amsoil to me and
>> offered me a case at a good price. I ran my first oil change 10,000
>> miles on Amsoil and the oil didn't appear to have broken down at all
>> on draining. I vowed to run that next change for 12,000 and wound up
>> trading the car in before I had to drain it again. I assume that the
>> oil would have been good as new. I determined that the Amsoil was
>> costing me approximately three times as much as a conventional name
>> brand oil - but I was running it four times longer. In effect, a 25%
>> savings.
>> Here was the difference in performance:
>> Operating temperature of engine:
>> Conventional - 210 degrees
>> Mobil 1 - 200 degrees
>> Amsoil - 190
>> Gas mileage increase:
>> Conventional - 0
>> Mobil 1 - 2 MPG average
>> Amsoil - 5 MPG average
>>
>> The real proof one day that the synthetic had superior
>> cold temperature performance was the day I went out to start the
>> Pontiac in -30 degrees F temperatures. I was running Severe Service
>> 0w30 Amsoil at the time and I put the key in the ignition and turned
>> it and the engine fired right up. Just like it was 50 degrees outside.
>> I left the engine idling for a few minutes and when I shifted the
>> automatic transmission (still conventional lube) into reverse it took
>> about 30 seconds to shift into gear. It hit hard when it did too.
>> I did have one experience a few years earlier with my
>> Dad's 1987 HD FLHTC. It had been modified with domed pistons and HI po
>> cams, valves, heads etc. (Stage II Screaming Eagle Kit) The starter on
>> the 87 Hogs was known to be weak and the bike would often have to be
>> jumped if it didn't fire right away. In an attempt to make it easier
>> to start, we put Mobil 1 V-Twin synthetic oil in to the old beast. Not
>> only did it improve the starting characteristics, we actually had to
>> drop the idle jet down by about 33 percent, proof that the reduced
>> friction was in fact working.
>> Just my thoughts and experiences - prices and such may
>> vary as all of this was at least three years ago.
>> -Joey
>>
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