Put in synthetic tonite.....

fudd · 06-23-2011, 10:56 PM

Changed the oil in my '05 Nomad tonite. After much discussion (and a deal for tryin it) we opted for the NAPA synthetic 10-30. While it is at the low end of the recommended viscosities I thought it was worth a try. Bought the bike over a month ago and the original owner wasn't using synthetic. Took her for a shake-down afterward and my brain thought it was running quieter & smoother.........am I dreaming? Is it that noticeable? Also picked up a 2 wire trumpet horn that bolted right on fer $16......claims to be 121 db. Wasnt chrome......less to polish

cactusjack · 06-23-2011, 11:00 PM

You give no clue to your location, but in my opinion, 10W30 is too light to be using in the summer.

fudd · 06-23-2011, 11:08 PM

Southern IL. We debated whether or not it was too light........and would not have tried it if it had not been included as recommended in the owners manual. Heck, my Ford F150 v8 came with 5-30? Any other opinions.....everybody has one ya know..........

cactusjack · 06-23-2011, 11:29 PM

There's a big difference between a V8 with a large cooling system and a v-twin with a tiny cooling system. I have no idea how warm it gets in southern Illinois, but my dealer used to put 20W50 in my '07 when I was having them change my oil. Oh well, I hope it works well for you.

AlabamaNomadRider · 06-24-2011, 04:37 AM

My Chevy Impala recommends 5W-30 and that is what I use in it. I would use at least 10W-40 in the Nomad.

just call me Mr. Hibbs · 06-24-2011, 05:47 AM

I would never run 10W30 in my Nomad, I am running shell Rotella T6 5W40 synthetic, do not know anyone running 10W30 synthetic or dino in their Nomad. You may find this an interesting read, bit long but 10W30 is not recommended.

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html

recumbentbob · 06-24-2011, 07:45 AM

10w30 too light for the nomad.

**ringadingh** · 06-24-2011, 08:13 AM

I wouldn't use it either unless you were riding in cold weather. Its different in a car motor, because it doesn;t have the transmission sharing the same oil. Now being that its a synthetic oil may give you a higher shear strength, and definately a higher oil breakdown temp, which may work ok, but I still wouldn't do it to my bike.

fudd · 06-24-2011, 09:08 AM

ok..ok....I surrender......its coming out this weekend and something heavier going in.........guess that is what this board is for..........thanks for the advice

think i will catch it and use it in something else later....... ;-)

fudd · 06-24-2011, 07:10 PM

The beast has had a transusion. She is now pumping 15-50 through her veins. The day old oil rests back in jugs to be transfused into yet another victim on the farm. ps....the 1st one to tell me that that is too heavy gets it in the kisser! :-)

wiz · 06-24-2011, 08:39 PM

The manual says 10w-30 is OK as long as ther air temp is under 86°F. 10w-40 is good up to 104°F and 10 or 20w-50 for scorching hot temps. Avoid Energy Conserving rated oil too!

AlabamaNomadRider · 06-24-2011, 08:50 PM

Glad to hear you got the 10W-30 out of it. Think you are much better off now.

blackdogbrian · 06-24-2011, 09:29 PM

It's great to have folks like this to bounce ideas off.....
and even if you don't reuse the oil - an extra gallon of oil is a hell of alot cheaper then what it could cost if it really was too light of an oil.....

**ringadingh** · 06-24-2011, 09:32 PM

Put the 10W30 in your lawn tractor it will be happier there.

radco · 06-24-2011, 10:07 PM

The Lawn Mower/Tractor will LOVE the synthetic oil :) you will get better yardage by using it :)

06-23-2011, 10:56 PM	#1
fudd Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SE IL Posts: 183	Put in synthetic tonite..... Changed the oil in my '05 Nomad tonite. After much discussion (and a deal for tryin it) we opted for the NAPA synthetic 10-30. While it is at the low end of the recommended viscosities I thought it was worth a try. Bought the bike over a month ago and the original owner wasn't using synthetic. Took her for a shake-down afterward and my brain thought it was running quieter & smoother.........am I dreaming? Is it that noticeable? Also picked up a 2 wire trumpet horn that bolted right on fer $16......claims to be 121 db. Wasnt chrome......less to polish Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

06-23-2011, 11:00 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Put in synthetic tonite..... You give no clue to your location, but in my opinion, 10W30 is too light to be using in the summer. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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06-23-2011, 11:08 PM	#3
fudd Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SE IL Posts: 183	Put in synthetic tonite..... Southern IL. We debated whether or not it was too light........and would not have tried it if it had not been included as recommended in the owners manual. Heck, my Ford F150 v8 came with 5-30? Any other opinions.....everybody has one ya know..........
	0

06-23-2011, 11:29 PM	#4
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Put in synthetic tonite..... There's a big difference between a V8 with a large cooling system and a v-twin with a tiny cooling system. I have no idea how warm it gets in southern Illinois, but my dealer used to put 20W50 in my '07 when I was having them change my oil. Oh well, I hope it works well for you. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
	0

06-24-2011, 04:37 AM	#5
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Put in synthetic tonite..... My Chevy Impala recommends 5W-30 and that is what I use in it. I would use at least 10W-40 in the Nomad. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

06-24-2011, 05:47 AM	#6
just call me Mr. Hibbs Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 186	Put in synthetic tonite..... I would never run 10W30 in my Nomad, I am running shell Rotella T6 5W40 synthetic, do not know anyone running 10W30 synthetic or dino in their Nomad. You may find this an interesting read, bit long but 10W30 is not recommended. http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html
	0

06-24-2011, 07:45 AM	#7
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	Put in synthetic tonite..... 10w30 too light for the nomad. __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
	0

06-24-2011, 08:13 AM	#8
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Put in synthetic tonite..... I wouldn't use it either unless you were riding in cold weather. Its different in a car motor, because it doesn;t have the transmission sharing the same oil. Now being that its a synthetic oil may give you a higher shear strength, and definately a higher oil breakdown temp, which may work ok, but I still wouldn't do it to my bike. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

06-24-2011, 09:08 AM	#9
fudd Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SE IL Posts: 183	Put in synthetic tonite..... ok..ok....I surrender......its coming out this weekend and something heavier going in.........guess that is what this board is for..........thanks for the advice think i will catch it and use it in something else later....... ;-)
	0

06-24-2011, 07:10 PM	#10
fudd Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SE IL Posts: 183	Put in synthetic tonite..... The beast has had a transusion. She is now pumping 15-50 through her veins. The day old oil rests back in jugs to be transfused into yet another victim on the farm. ps....the 1st one to tell me that that is too heavy gets it in the kisser! :-)
	0

06-24-2011, 08:39 PM	#11
wiz Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 498	Put in synthetic tonite..... The manual says 10w-30 is OK as long as ther air temp is under 86°F. 10w-40 is good up to 104°F and 10 or 20w-50 for scorching hot temps. Avoid Energy Conserving rated oil too!
	0

06-24-2011, 08:50 PM	#12
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Put in synthetic tonite..... Glad to hear you got the 10W-30 out of it. Think you are much better off now. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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06-24-2011, 09:29 PM	#13
blackdogbrian Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edmonton Canada Posts: 384	Put in synthetic tonite..... It's great to have folks like this to bounce ideas off..... and even if you don't reuse the oil - an extra gallon of oil is a hell of alot cheaper then what it could cost if it really was too light of an oil..... __________________ Cheers, Brian 2004 1500fi - Blue and Grey Ultra Nomad - In progress CMC#12065 - Edmonton
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06-24-2011, 09:32 PM	#14
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Put in synthetic tonite..... Put the 10W30 in your lawn tractor it will be happier there. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

06-24-2011, 10:07 PM	#15
radco Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dedham Maine Posts: 4,199	Put in synthetic tonite..... The Lawn Mower/Tractor will LOVE the synthetic oil :) you will get better yardage by using it :) __________________
	0

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