I'm getting ready to take my new Ultra in for the 1,000 mile service.I have decided to take my own oil into the dealer( Castrol Full Synthetic 20-50w) instead of using Harley oil.The book says 4 qt for engine 1 qt for tranny and approx 1.40 qt for the primary. I was always under the impression 6qt is enough but according to the book maybe not.What is the correct answer? Thanks

 

Depends. My bike only takes 3.5 for the motor so 6 would work for me. Others say they put 4 in the motor. If that's what the dealer does, then no 6 isn't enough.

You can save a ton of money by doing this for yourself after this one.

 

I'll bet they won't put the castrol synthetic for sure in the primary and tranny, maybe not engine either. Synthetic 20/50 of any kind is definitely not good for transmissions if you ride your bike hard.

 

Like Krazy, My motor took (3.5), tranny (1) and primary 38oz so 6 qts would be enough. Unless the Castrol 20w-50 syn is rated "energy conserving" which I don't think any 20w-50 is, I dunno why they couldn't use it in all 3 holes? Ideal ? Maybe not but H-D specifically makes their 20w-50 syn for all 3 holes but that will be the dealers call I guess...

 

Do not put car oil in your bike's transmission. Car oil was OK in bikes until circa the 1990s when Energy Conserving oil was invented for the new lighter and tighter car engines which do not require the "heavy" additives that the older engines did.

 

C908,

Yes, 6 quarts will be enough. AS you see there are many opinions on this topic. Im not a big fan of the Syn3, but maybe thats just me. I have used Mobil1 V-Twin 20w50 in the engine and primary and Mobil1 75w90 synthetic gear oil in the tranny of every Harley I've ever owned. They handle the heat great and are actually designed for all three holes on your harley, they even state that on the bottle of the Mobil1 v-twin 20w50. I chose to use the Mobile1 75w90 gear oil in the tranny because I feel it quietens it up a little. But as you can see there are many opinions on here. You will see on this forum that the top oils used are Mobil1 v-twin, Amsoil, and Redline. Typically, you cant go wrong with any of these three. Mobil1 v-twin will be the easiest of the three brands to find. Wal-mart and Autozone usually carry the mobil1 v-twin, while Amsoil and Redline can be a little more difficult to find.

PS If you look under the oil section in these forums you will see a great article on oils that has a lab result of many different types of oils. Maybe that will help you as well.

 

4 in the engine...1 in the transmission...and 38 oz in the primary...for all 6 speed touring bikes...That would be 6qts. and 6oz. ...You will need to buy 7 qts. to have enough to complete the service.

 

I'd say all of you had only better put 3 qts. in your crank case, and then run it a little bit. I'll bet you'll find it full.
Tranny fluid should be at least 75/140 weight.
Primary fluid should be as thick as the HD Formula plus.
That's what I use, I think that is better than is synthetic.
Save the rest of your oil for next oil change.

 

Are you checking your oil on the side stand?

 

Straight up and down on a bike lift.