Hey Guys

Bought my 1985 FLHTC in '85 and unblieveably I really haven't kept a good maintance record.
Maybe it has something to due with my being an ol' fart 72yrs.

Can you guys help me out with How & What you do when changing you Primary Oil
Here's The Questions Please:
1. Do you drain the p/oil when the bike is COLD/COOL ?
2. Do you change it when the bike is: WARM/HOT ?
3. How long do you wait to change the p/oil again ?

Thanks Guys

 

generally as a rule you would change your primary oil, transmission oil and main crank oil all at the same time. the factory service manual will have recomended milage intervals for oil change.

it is common practice to change oils while bike is still warm. if you dont already have one a factory service manual is definitly soemthing to invest in, it will have the service intervals by milage as well as a good break down of what you should be changing and checkign at each milage interval.

 

Hi Schooner. If you take the drain plug out one day and leave the bike overnight, it won't matter if the bike is cold or hot, the old oil will find its own way out! Service at the same time as your trans, it's all in your service manual.

 

my owners manual has the intervals as the following

oil @ 5,000
primary @ 10,000
transmission @ 20,000
I do oil and primary at 5,000 and trans at 10,000

 

The primary oil takes a beating and I wouldn't go any more than 5k (I change it with my oil @3-4k). The trans stays pretty good but don't go longer than 5k, but hell that's just me and I don't have plans to be buying another bike for a long time.

 

What about ATF for primary oil? I have been meaning to try it, But never have any when I change it (at around 10K). Doesn't take much to lube a chain, so I worry more about the wet clutch.

 

At first I couldn't believe there would be a thread on this, I mean Jeez...
But after trying Amzoil, Mobil1, Plain engine oil (nondetergent) and now tranny fluid, I have to say, just keep the miles low on it, use motor oil or tranny fluid (I feel no difference between them) and use 1 qt. each change (forget the book on this one; it's confusing). I'll try motor oil again just to see if I can detect any difference going back the other way, but the clutch loves the tranny fluid.
Over time, it may be that wear agents in motor oil may be more beneficial on the chain and sprockets. Again, no low-friction fuelsaver oil in there, unless you like slipping clutches.