Originally Posted By: SkipII
I have an Indian Chief Vintage, which is notorious for having a sticky gearbox when cold, and it is because the clutch plates get gummed up with cold oil in the first few minutes of operation. (Indian Thunderstroke engines have a shared sump with engine and gearbox, so they do want a specific motorcycle oil that does not have the friction inhibitors,but that seems separate than viscosity).
As well, if Bob is correct (and I think he is!), why do manufacturers persist in recommending 10W or even 20W (in the caae of Polaris/Indian) if the science shows that flow rate is too sluggish? And why does Indian (or others) recommend a blend?
Your over thinking things. The answer to your question is the manufacturer (Polaris) knows better then "Bob" who is nothing more then some stranger posting information on the internet.
Polaris designed and built your engine, they know best and want your engine to last as long as possible.
AS far as "blends" in fully synthetic oils (which is simply highly refined conventional oils) some good compounds are removed from the conventional oil when its refined into "synthetic" but additives are added back in to make up for the loss.
Yet, unlike some other thinking, there are some good qualities of conventional oil and with a blend you get both worlds.
Bottom line, both types of oils have good qualities, just because an oil is labeled synthetic does not mean there will be less wear. By the question you posted, it sounds like you are convinced your engine would experience less wear if you used synthetic oil, that is untrue.
I have an Indian Chief Vintage, which is notorious for having a sticky gearbox when cold, and it is because the clutch plates get gummed up with cold oil in the first few minutes of operation. (Indian Thunderstroke engines have a shared sump with engine and gearbox, so they do want a specific motorcycle oil that does not have the friction inhibitors,but that seems separate than viscosity).
As well, if Bob is correct (and I think he is!), why do manufacturers persist in recommending 10W or even 20W (in the caae of Polaris/Indian) if the science shows that flow rate is too sluggish? And why does Indian (or others) recommend a blend?
Your over thinking things. The answer to your question is the manufacturer (Polaris) knows better then "Bob" who is nothing more then some stranger posting information on the internet.
Polaris designed and built your engine, they know best and want your engine to last as long as possible.
AS far as "blends" in fully synthetic oils (which is simply highly refined conventional oils) some good compounds are removed from the conventional oil when its refined into "synthetic" but additives are added back in to make up for the loss.
Yet, unlike some other thinking, there are some good qualities of conventional oil and with a blend you get both worlds.
Bottom line, both types of oils have good qualities, just because an oil is labeled synthetic does not mean there will be less wear. By the question you posted, it sounds like you are convinced your engine would experience less wear if you used synthetic oil, that is untrue.
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