Primary Fluid Level
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 60
From: here
I let mine drain for about 5 minutes and when I stood it straight up and poured about 34oz it was up to the lip and started dripping out.
I'm not sure if the low models have a different capacity or what but it wasn't even close. I ended up taking a bit out and buttoned it up. It just a bit unnerving that the manual says 38oz and I put about 32oz ... but the level is the level so I'm not going to over think it too much...
I'm not sure if the low models have a different capacity or what but it wasn't even close. I ended up taking a bit out and buttoned it up. It just a bit unnerving that the manual says 38oz and I put about 32oz ... but the level is the level so I'm not going to over think it too much...
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Andersonville, East TN.
I changed my primary oil today.
I took what oil came out and poured it into an empty 32 oz. SYN3 plastic bottle. It came very close to the top of the bottle-over 32 oz. obviously.
I opened a new bottle of SYN3 and filled it to the same level as the above with a 2nd bottle and then poured that whole extra full bottle in the primary. Looked like about 36 oz. (there was about 28 oz. left in the 2nd bottle) but it's the same amount I drained out.
I drained it with a 2x4 under the jiffy stand so it was close to upright.
I took what oil came out and poured it into an empty 32 oz. SYN3 plastic bottle. It came very close to the top of the bottle-over 32 oz. obviously.
I opened a new bottle of SYN3 and filled it to the same level as the above with a 2nd bottle and then poured that whole extra full bottle in the primary. Looked like about 36 oz. (there was about 28 oz. left in the 2nd bottle) but it's the same amount I drained out.
I drained it with a 2x4 under the jiffy stand so it was close to upright.
Last edited by Kilokato; May 16, 2015 at 10:34 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 10
From: SF Bay area
I let mine drain for about 5 minutes and when I stood it straight up and poured about 34oz it was up to the lip and started dripping out.
I'm not sure if the low models have a different capacity or what but it wasn't even close. I ended up taking a bit out and buttoned it up. It just a bit unnerving that the manual says 38oz and I put about 32oz ... but the level is the level so I'm not going to over think it too much...
I'm not sure if the low models have a different capacity or what but it wasn't even close. I ended up taking a bit out and buttoned it up. It just a bit unnerving that the manual says 38oz and I put about 32oz ... but the level is the level so I'm not going to over think it too much...
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 159
Likes: 2
From: the fringe of the Motor City suburbs
I'm not sure why you are posting, you couldn't be more wrong. The primary case is the one cavity where there is a significant amount of fluid that stays in it when just using the drain plug.
I agree with what many have stated, drain it and pour in 38 ounces when doing normal maintenance, but the primary has a total of 45 ounces when property filled, 7 of which are below the drain plug and only accessible if you remove the entire outer primary.
I agree with what many have stated, drain it and pour in 38 ounces when doing normal maintenance, but the primary has a total of 45 ounces when property filled, 7 of which are below the drain plug and only accessible if you remove the entire outer primary.
You could not be more wrong. Dry refers to the oil retained on the surface of the clutch and compensating sprocket. While I agree there is an extra amount in the very bottom of the primary case, it does not matter whether you drain it standing up or on the stand! Empty is empty. How many inner primary seals, clutches or compensating sprockets have you done?? I am a mechanic. What is your livelihood? Thanks Grant.
I didn't say anything about standing it up or on the stand, you are confused about that. You are correct that the extra 7 ounces is not all below the normal drain level. I oversimplified that. No, I do not make a living as a mechanic but I do all my own work. I am incredibly slow at it so fortunately I have other marketable skills.
Last edited by logical; May 16, 2015 at 10:41 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 313
Likes: 1
From: Kremmling,CO
I didn't say anything about standing it up or on the stand, you are confused about that. You are correct that the extra 7 ounces is not all below the normal drain level. I oversimplified that. No, I do not make a living as a mechanic but I do all my own work. I am incredibly slow at it so fortunately I have other marketable skills.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 158
From: East Coast
A few weeks ago i changed all three. Each time i warmed up the bike between draining the engine, trans and primary. It was a cool morning in the garage and i am slow, methodical. I actually enjoyed the 4 or 5 hours i spent changing the oil and cleaning a few things.
I put 38 ozs of Formula plus in the primary and it brought i up to where it was before i drained it. Another thread had a picture and it was about there, maybe and RCH below that, but no where near coming out of the derby cover.
My bike is in a HD chock stand in the garage so it is always standing straight up. I used the Harley funnel, really not needed but it work as advertised.
I put 38 ozs of Formula plus in the primary and it brought i up to where it was before i drained it. Another thread had a picture and it was about there, maybe and RCH below that, but no where near coming out of the derby cover.
My bike is in a HD chock stand in the garage so it is always standing straight up. I used the Harley funnel, really not needed but it work as advertised.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 159
Likes: 2
From: the fringe of the Motor City suburbs
Harley suddenly decided that one fluid was perfect for all 3 cavities. That never made sense to me. I use oil in the engine (I use Redline synthetic but won't try to change anyone's mind about Amsoil, Betray, Mobile 1 or Harley Branded oil...any good synthetic oil is fine) but I've used Redline MTL in my primaries and Redline Shockproof Heavy in the trans for 15 years. In every bike it has made shifting smoother and neutral much easier to find.
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