So today I am going to change my Transmission fluid for the first time (by myself that is). I am still sort of new to bikes and i'll admit i dont know much. For a trans fluid change, is it really as simple as it seems? Drain the old fluid, replace the ring inside, put new oil in. Call it a day?


Btw, it's on a 2010 Iron 883

 

Sportsters do not use Transmission fluid, So calling it such can/could be confusing.

You can use either 75W90 gear oil or 20w50 motor oil. Pick your own poison.

I use 75W90 Mobil 1 Gear Oil.

As far as the process it self, you are correct..................

 

Theres a drain plug below your primary cover, unscrew that, let it drain into a pan. Make sure you position your bike upright and lean it side to side alittie to get all that primary/Trans fluid out. Next unscrew your primary cover, rescrew the drain plug back in, pour 1quart of primary/trans fluid into the side of the primary (very weird I know) while your bike is more upright so nothing pours back out of the primary cover. Then rescrew the primary cover back on, and your good to go

 

Just did mine yesterday. Very easy. while your there pull the little cover off and check the primary chain free play.

 

Your right in your explanation except for the fact that you do not remove the primary cover. You remove the inspection cover.

This is the primary cover in the picture. you just want to remove the little inspection cover at the top.

 

Sportsters transmissions and primarys are all lubricated by the same fluid. Your manual will just call it primary fluid since you pour it into your primary but it lubricates the Trans as well. On big v tiwns, primarys and Trans are seperated so you have to drain from two different places

 

you sure about that homes? Im not 100% sure, but I think that cover is only for the chain, idk how the hell your suppose to pour oil inside that little hole.

 

Lay the bike on its side and pour the oil in.............




Your kidding right?

Most gear oil has a spout tip on the quart. All others you just use a funnel.

Some people also just remove the clutch inspection cover.

 

Yes xFreeBirdx is correct. The whole item in the picture is the primary cover.
The smaller hole to the left of center is the chain inspection cover and the oil can be poured in there.
The larger round cover (6") to the right of center is called the Derby (clutch inspection) cover. This can also be removed for refilling the oil and adjusting the clutch. If you're not doing a clutch adjustment, it's easier to just refill the oil through the chain inspection cover.

 

That would be about the only way to do it if you removed the primary cover.