Primary Fluid Level
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 58
From: Graysville, AL
Thanks for all the info! I put a few pieces of wood under the stand to get the bike close to level not completely level but pretty close. I then drained and refilled with 38oz.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 434
From: PA
So what Is the verdict? refill on the Jiffy stand? It makes a big difference between the two, I usually fill It until the oil reaches the clutch basket. I changed out my derby cover the other day while the bike was level and It looked like It needed oil, but when I lowered the bike back to the jiffy stand It was right on the money.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 58
From: Graysville, AL
When you say fill till the fluid reaches the clutch basket are you referring to the area the arrow is pointing at? If so the fluid reaches and covers that. I think I am good with the 38 oz. I just don't want to mess anything up. My OCD really kicks in when dealing with fluid levels.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 276
Likes: 43
From: Spokane, WA
So what Is the verdict? refill on the Jiffy stand? It makes a big difference between the two, I usually fill It until the oil reaches the clutch basket. I changed out my derby cover the other day while the bike was level and It looked like It needed oil, but when I lowered the bike back to the jiffy stand It was right on the money.
2. Insert drain plug
3. Pour in 38 oz
4. Ride
The instructions have changed with the new bikes. The newer manuals do not tell us to "fill until it reaches the basket or xxx". It just says add 38 oz. Period. DON'T EVEN LOOK IN THERE! It's a trap for OCD'ers!
Manuals say to fill w bike upright but that's only because gravity makes it difficult to fill when tilted to the left.
Norm
PS I'm reminded of my panhead and how it was designed to constantly drip oil on the primary chain for lubrication and then onto the ground via a drain. Yep, those old Harleys did more than their fair share to keep the asphalt lubricated.
Last edited by Norms 427; Jan 22, 2015 at 08:59 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 330
Likes: 3
From:
The logic behind filling the fluid with the bike level, would be that is the operating position. It's not about ease of filling . The clutch basket must be getting fluid on it when in the upright position, otherwise the fluid is just sitting there not lubricating a damn thing!
I can not speak about if it's in the owners manual or service manual, I don't know. What I do know is what I stated above.
Those of you who drain on the jiffy stand and put 38 ounces in while still on the stand, are, in my opinion, not doing it properly .
I can not speak about if it's in the owners manual or service manual, I don't know. What I do know is what I stated above.
Those of you who drain on the jiffy stand and put 38 ounces in while still on the stand, are, in my opinion, not doing it properly .
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 609
Likes: 14
From: Mount Airy, MD
Dealer changed mine at 1000 miles. At 5000 miles I removed the derby cover, took a picture of the fluid level with the bike upright, and then changed the fluid filling the primary to the level in the picture I took earlier in the process. It was more than 38oz. but I forget how much.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 282
From: Long Island NY
The logic behind filling the fluid with the bike level, would be that is the operating position. It's not about ease of filling . The clutch basket must be getting fluid on it when in the upright position, otherwise the fluid is just sitting there not lubricating a damn thing!
I can not speak about if it's in the owners manual or service manual, I don't know. What I do know is what I stated above.
Those of you who drain on the jiffy stand and put 38 ounces in while still on the stand, are, in my opinion, not doing it properly .
I can not speak about if it's in the owners manual or service manual, I don't know. What I do know is what I stated above.
Those of you who drain on the jiffy stand and put 38 ounces in while still on the stand, are, in my opinion, not doing it properly .
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 282
From: Long Island NY
Called the shop I deal with (thanks Gerard at Rolling Thunder Cycles), he said draining it on the sidestand is fine, you want to get as much oil out as possible. He said then add the 38 ozs., 45 ozs, is only if you pull the primary cover off. Good enough for me...thanks to all who gave advice.
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Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 58
From: Graysville, AL
Called the shop I deal with (thanks Gerard at Rolling Thunder Cycles), he said draining it on the sidestand is fine, you want to get as much oil out as possible. He said then add the 38 ozs., 45 ozs, is only if you pull the primary cover off. Good enough for me...thanks to all who gave advice.
Thanks! I know I am overthinking this. I would guess it would be fine even if it was over or under a ounce or so.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 282
From: Long Island NY
I agree, on any dipstick they give a full and add mark, I'm sure an ounce or two one way or the other doesn't mean anything, we're still within limits...safe riding!