Was it a Dream?

[clayton]

Ok long story short...kinda!!!
This past week I did the change to Synthetic Motor Oil.
After reading posts, info on the net and other resources I decided to go with something I know and have experience with.
For years I used Castrol GTX on all of my cars and trucks and have had no issues.
So I decied to use Castrol Syntec Full Synthetic Motor Oil in 10w-40.
I also decided to go with K&N for the oil filter. It is the same diameter as the stock and will not interfer with the brake line. It also has a niffty little 17mm end on it for a wrench to tighten or remove.
Anywayssss...
Yesterday I was able to take him out and play...
So I pulled him out and cranked him up...and a few minutes later I was ready.
I pulled in the clutch and popped him into gear...OH Snap!!! I lurched forward about 2 feet.
So I worked the clutch a few times and restarted the bike.
The 1st thing I noticed was the distance needed to engage the clutches was reduced at least 50%.
Got him out on the road and notice something different...not bad, but GOOD.
Pulled out onto the main road and I gave that throttle a good twist...WOW...is all I could say!!!
Throttle response was Right There!!!
The engine seemed to have more power.
The clutch seemed to be grabbing instead of that "mello" slip I was used to.
I also noticed that while I was on DINO I would get some gear lashing going from 1st to 2nd gear...now thats gone with Synthetic ;)
In the last 200 miles or so on DINO I was missing 3rd gear (using the heal shifter) knowing I did push down all the way each time it happened. No more miss with Synthetic. :)
I took him for a highway cruise and started "getting on it" coming on to the expressway and was up to 65 in 3rd and popped it into 4th and he took off like a rocket...
I dialed in to about 80 and placed him into 5th.
The engine sounds a lot more Beefy than it did before.
It feels honestly like the engine now has more compression.
Other than the "Rummble" of the pipes the engine also seems
to have gotten quieter.
I went several miles on the expressway and got off and headed to one of my favorite backroads for the hills and twists.
That particular backroad has a hill that normally I have to pop him into 3rd to make a nice casual ascent...this time I left him in 4th. He climbed that hill with no problems what so ever.
I decided to leave it in 4th to see if I would get "slippage" in the clutch going up...it never slipped once and honestly I hit the hill fast and tried to get him to slip...he did great.
So all in all I am Very satisfied with the outcome.
Thoughts? Was this a dream? :)

[Top Cat]

OK Clayton, lets start by saying GUYS do not call their bikes HIM. They are female gender. I thought everyone knew that. ;)
I think alot of your experience is because you wanted HER to be that way.
I know when I debaffled my bike I gained tons of torque and 15 miles an hour top end. ;)
When I added my luggage rack it changed the air flow and I picked up 5 more MPG.
My Guardian Bell made it handle so much better in the twisties.
Glad you like the Nomad. That's what it's all about.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

OK Clayton, lets start by saying GUYS do not call their bikes HIM. They are female gender. I thought everyone knew that. ;)
I think alot of your experience is because you wanted HER to be that way.
I know when I debaffled my bike I gained tons of torque and 15 miles an hour top end. ;)
When I added my luggage rack it changed the air flow and I picked up 5 more MPG.
My Guardian Bell made it handle so much better in the twisties.
Glad you like the Nomad. That's what it's all about.

Haha, I agree with TC (never thought I'd say that )

I found your reference to the bike as "him" to be interesting.

Most guys names their bikes after women, like Lucille, Betty, etc. What's your bike's name? Sven? Gustav?

Just having some fun here. No offense intended.

[blowndodge]

Unfortunately I agree with the gender issue on bikes. SWB and Todd are excused because they've admitted their love of all things male!!

Being from Ohio you've probably shoveled more snow than riding. When faced with this restriction each time on the bike is going to feel new and exciting.

Oil doesn't add power. But I know what you mean as far as a fresh oil, filter change always makes me feel the bike is running sweet!

[clayton]

Well I have been considering names some of the female gender some of the male...recently "Legion" has caught my attention.
The bike has Balls...literally...so if I name it a female name would it then be a transvestite? D'OH!!
:)

[clayton]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

Unfortunately I agree with the gender issue on bikes. SWB and Todd are excused because they've admitted their love of all things male!!

Being from Ohio you've probably shoveled more snow than riding. When faced with this restriction each time on the bike is going to feel new and exciting.

Oil doesn't add power. But I know what you mean as far as a fresh oil, filter change always makes me feel the bike is running sweet!

Yea BD you might be right...but it was a nice Dream :)

[phenrichs]

I have heard some say that the shifting is smoother on synth than on Dino. WHen I change this year I am going to use synth and see what happens

[lonewolf]

call it CHYNA a woman with balls !! lol

[classic1]

The lunge forward when you first put it in gear was probably from sitting and the plates were stuck together. Mine will do that after just sitting a few days. I always pump the clutch handle a few times every time I start to ride.

[waterman]

Clayton,

I don't think that you are crazy on the engine noise and shifting. I have noticed that also. Ok everyone, call me crazy. Last year, I changed oil prior to a trip to ES. I was getting close to the oil change interval and knew I would be way over by the time I got back. However, when I checked my stockpile I was short and couldn't get out to buy more so I put in dino. Call me crazy (again) but that was the worst gas mileage I have seen on my bike since I broke her in. Back to full synthetics this spring.

[clayton]

Originally Posted by lonewolf

call it CHYNA a woman with balls !! lol

LOL LMAO....thats great

[taranis]

You've got me wanting to do that air filter changeout with Chuckster's plates now.. dang it.

[clayton]

hehe...Sorry T....
You will have fun... :)

[caper]

Well when I am dreamin its hers....not hims LOL hahahahaahahah

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I am afraid to name mine anything othe than The Nomad. If I name it a ladies name I might get pulled over for riding her in public.