How to change transmission and primary oil?

[Paladin1]

This may be a pretty basic question, but.... i would like to change the transmissin and primary (?) oil in my 2002 Road King, and am not sure where the drain/fill plugs are, nor the amount of oil to add?

I think I know how to change the engine oil,assuming the drain plug is, in fact, a plug utilizing a 8 mm allan socket (?).

I tried to do a search, but neither "how" nor "oil" are accepted terms (too short). I did find a reference for manual, but thought perhaps there was a thread here somewhere explaining the steps??

Thanks, Greg

[Shaw_2112]

shall I be the first to say

hehehe, don't know about the RK but the drain plug on the FXST is dead center on the bottom of the tranny, mine only takes about a qt or so before it's full. check the dipstick on the right side of the clutch cover for the fill marks....Primary is just as easy, remove plug and drain, only fill oil to cover the bottom edge of the clutch basket... It's not brain surgery man, just use common sense.....


good luck!

[Paladin1]

Thanks Shaw, I may have to order a maintenance manual. On a couple other forum I am on (Honda , V Rod,and BMW) there are many threads showing various maintenance jobs in detail, often with handy tips. Its actually one of the significant benefits I usually get from these forums.

"Read the book", is also good advice, any specific recomendations?

thx

greg

[Shaw_2112]

the only think I can think of to watch out for is beware of overtightening both plugs, they're damn easy to strip. Use a little nylon thread tape when reinstalling too. Will help keep from leaking, especially when trying not to overtighten..

[gdkenoyer]

Three suggestions:
1) Get the service manual (already noted)
2) Read this thread
3) Use the search function ("drain plug", etc.) to find other threads such as:
- How to change the oil in your twin cam harley
- Oil drain plug location

[Shaw_2112]

Originally Posted by gdkenoyer

Three suggestions:
1) Get the service manual (already noted)
2) Read this thread
3) Use the search function ("drain plug", etc.) to find other threads such as:
- How to change the oil in your twin cam harley
- Oil drain plug location

Those would be great links if he was chaging the engine oil

[Shaw_2112]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

"Read the book", is also good advice, any specific recomendations?

thx

greg

almost missed this one....

Yeah pony up the $$$ to get HD manual, I've heard nothing but bad things about the Clymers...

You might be able to get one off eBay for cheap. Dealer is going to charge ya $50...

[gdkenoyer]

Originally Posted by Shaw_2112

Those would be great links if he was chaging the engine oil

1) do you often change the tranny oil w/o changing the engine oil?
2) hopefully he is smart enough the see the "etc" in the suggested search string and replace with "[tranny|primary|engine] oil", as needed.
3) if he is such a newbie that he needs to ask about this, isn't warning him to not undo the plug in the bottom-center of the crankcase 'goodness'?

ya dink.

[trooper113]

Originally Posted by Shaw_2112

almost missed this one....

Yeah pony up the $$$ to get HD manual, I've heard nothing but bad things about the Clymers...

You might be able to get one off eBay for cheap. Dealer is going to charge ya $50...

Agreed, but call any of the several 20% off dealers and get the manual from them. IMO, Jenni Sapyta at Charlie's H-D in Huntington, WV is the best parts person around. Try to have the part number you want, but she'll get that, too, if you don't have it. 20% off, no tax, actual freight. Order cable lube, oil filters and o-rings/gaskets at the same time to save freight. Their phone number can be found at the H-D site (Dealers).

[chrt396]

Look under the bike at the oil pan and you will see two bolts. One id closer to the right side of bike and it is mounted on the bottom of the pan. This is your transmission fluid drain. On the same oil pan on the left side..in the front and up on the side of the pan is the oil plug drain. The primary bolt..or screw actually...in just under the primary cover inspection plate.

[baggersport]

As a disclaimer, "Always refer to the H-D service manual".


Usually looking at the two drain plugs in the oil pan........the one in the front or forward is the engine oil drain and the one further back on the pan is the transmission. Helps you if you think of the engine in front of the transmission.




.

[Tet Vet]

I change engine, transmission, and primary every 4,000 miles. I use the same synthetic HD oil in all three. I know of some who change more often and some who change less often. Many do not change the trans and primary everytime they change the engine oil. I change the three o-rings on the drain plugs each time. I also use one wrap of teflon pipe joint tape (probably not necessary, it's just that I'm obsessive/complusive). On the 2007 and up there is no inspection plate to refill the primary and you must replace the primary cover o-ring. HD sells the three o-rings and the primary o-ring for about 4 dollars.

I found it better to use a 5/8 boxend wrench than the allen wrench....It's easy to strip out the allen.

[hogrida]

I know it's a bit late but this may help others doing an oil change.

[CHIPMAKER]

Worth a thousand words

[berserker]

I have never used the allen, 5/8 wrench. Probably better bight. 21 ftlbs, I think. Also my 01 touring tranny takes 20-24 ounces. Annoying #, with primary taking 32.

The tranny plug sorta lines up with the tranny dipstick too.

Now my 07, tranny takes 32 ounces, nice easy #. But the damn tranny takes 40 or something. They did go to a regular drain plug on primary in 07, like it better.

Also I keep on hand rubbe orings. Tranny and engine same on 01 and 07. For some reason my 01 eats rings. I have inspected, used tq wrench, tried differant orings. Lube it 1st. Dunno. But doesn't drip.


For adding oil to 01 primary I took a piece of clear tubing and stuck a funnel in it. I pour it in through the chain inspection cover.