primary oil question : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

sessums · 08-12-2010, 06:30 PM

No this is not one of those questions asking what to use in it. I have read enough threads to make my own decision and I decided to go with ATF. When I drained the old oil out I only got about 1/2 a quart and it looked like it was in there for a hundred thousand miles. The stealership suposedly changed it when I had the 10K service and that was only 4K ago. Since I've never changed the primary myself I don't know if it should look that bad or not. And the service manual says fill with a quart. Do I fill it until it runs out the clutch inspection plate,and if so do I leave it on the kickstand or set it up straight and fill even with the inspection plate?:

Ridewv · 08-12-2010, 06:50 PM

The primary oil will become dark and worn looking pretty quickly, compared to the transmission oil for instance. There's supposed to be 1 qt plus 6 oz in my 09, so I'd be suspicious if just 1/2 qt came out. The bike should be upright, not leaned over on the side stand when draining and filling. As per the service manual, when checking "If the fluid level can be seen, it is adequate." And "Do not overfill the primary chaincase with lubricant."

sessums · 08-12-2010, 06:57 PM

Ridewv I got a measureing cup and measured the old oil and it was 26 ounces came out. My bike is a 2006 tc88 and the manual says 32 ounces so I guess 26 is close enough. Thanks for the reply. I now know it needs upright to fill it back

cata5803 · 08-12-2010, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sessums

No this is not one of those questions asking what to use in it. I have read enough threads to make my own decision and I decided to go with ATF. When I drained the old oil out I only got about 1/2 a quart and it looked like it was in there for a hundred thousand miles. The stealership suposedly changed it when I had the 10K service and that was only 4K ago. Since I've never changed the primary myself I don't know if it should look that bad or not. And the service manual says fill with a quart. Do I fill it until it runs out the clutch inspection plate,and if so do I leave it on the kickstand or set it up straight and fill even with the inspection plate?:

First what do you ride ?? If it's fairly newer, primary will be 38 oz. strait up.. Need a service manual !!

Sturge · 08-12-2010, 07:33 PM

Definately get a service manual for YOUR model. Mine has guidance to check it while on the kickstand. Different models = different guidance. Overfilling is just as bad as underfilling. And as mentioned above, the oil does get dark but should not be as BLACK as what comes out of the engine for an oil change - no combusion/carbon byproducts in the primary. Course...100K miles without a primary oil change...weeeellll...it may look BLACK!

sessums · 08-12-2010, 07:42 PM

Sorry guys I have a service manual for my bike and it don't say fill straight up or on the stand. the section for the transmission says straight up, but no specifics on the primary. I guess I need an off brand manual instead of this high dollar Harley manual I bought from the Stealership

berserker · 08-12-2010, 09:10 PM

Dump a quart in your inspection cover or derby and ride it. Look for leaks, if you don't see any, I wouldn't worry. If your bored, check in a few hundred or thousand miles./

TheNowhereman · 08-12-2010, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berserker

Dump a quart in your inspection cover or derby and ride it. Look for leaks, if you don't see any, I wouldn't worry. If your bored, check in a few hundred or thousand miles./

YUP....

RogerDodger · 08-13-2010, 09:43 AM

Different years take different amounts. If your manual says 32 oz. then put that much in, button it up and ride.
One of the nice thing about ATF is that it's cheap enough to change every oil change. I change mine out every other time and it always looks new. That's the way you want it to look.

hdmikeyb · 08-13-2010, 06:28 PM

The proper fill level with the motorcycle setting straight up is to the bottom edge of the clutch diaphram spring cover ( the small round ring with 6 bolts). Takes a flashlight and steep angle of inspection to see it properly. All of the companys factory service manuals that I have explain it fairly well. There is also a picture or diagram showing where the level is supposed to be. One of the contaminants that discolor the fluid is clutch lining.

RG50 · 08-14-2010, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sturge

the oil does get dark but should not be as BLACK as what comes out of the engine for an oil change - no combusion/carbon byproducts in the primary.

I change mine every 5000 miles.It has always been black when using Primary + or Valvoline 20W50 mc oil.
When changing the engine oil on mine(Mobil 1 V-Twin)every 5000 miles,it comes out dark brown not black.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdmikeyb

The proper fill level with the motorcycle setting straight up is to the bottom edge of the clutch diaphram spring cover ( the small round ring with 6 bolts).

I fill the primary on my '06 TC to the bottom of the spring.Takes about 36oz.

berserker · 08-14-2010, 09:59 AM

I had a leak on my primary few years ago. I found it easier to just change the fluid early, until I made it to winter. Checking the level on the primary is PIA.

TheNowhereman · 08-14-2010, 10:11 AM

For me, Every two engine oil changes, I pull the plug on the primary and drain it.
Then again I tend to get "wristy" and make the clutch work a little muuuhahahha.
I fell into a case of Mobil 1 syn ATF my kid bought sometime ago.
That stuff works real nice and the hotter it gets, the better it is.

Mohead1 · 08-14-2010, 01:13 PM

Bottom of clutch spring with bike level is the most accepted for most models. It may take 28oz. or maybe 32oz. As long as its just up to the spring. On my Fatboy it usually takes about 29-30oz. so I just put the whole quart into it, the extra 2oz. aint gonna hurt nuthin. On the Dyna, it seems to want more to get to the same level, but a quart makes it about right.

Boston Tom · 11-17-2012, 04:11 PM

Okay, I give up. What's the trick on getting the fresh oil into the primary drive? A funnel wasn't going to cut it, no way. There just isn't room next to the clutch once the derby cover is off. I ended up grabbing Pretty Wife's turkey baster and trickling it in there. Took a long time but I got er done. How do you guys do it?

I'll check back later for answers. Right now I gotta head to the kitchen aids department to make a purchase for somebody....