A Question about Transmissions
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 805
From: Washington
A Question about Transmissions
I have a question for you guys who change you tranny oil every 5K or 10 K miles. Why? When you buy a new bike part of the price is for engineering expertise that went into maintenance recommendations. In other words, you already bought and paid for a machinery engineer to give you professional advice, whether you follow it or not. In addition, just to make sure, they included a magnetic drain plug for any chit floating around. Now I am not an expert, I have only owned 3 Harleys, and I have only been reading the forum for 3+ years. But one thing I haven't read a lot about is Rushmore transmissoon failures. So what am I missing? Why are some of you guys changing tranny oil every 5 or 10K? Not trying to argue, just really thinking some of you are pissing away some money - why not just send me a case of beer? You'll feel better, with less work. Me too.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,224
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
i do to protect my investment. plus if you ride in cold weather, condensation becomes a problem. but i change all my fluids early in everything i own. best maintance you'll ever do.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 798
From: Bear Flag, lower end
You have a valid point, I have been changing all three holes every 5K miles for 10 years. The fluid that comes out of the trans looks just like when it went in. For me, if I am going to service the bike, I will do all three holes. Just do not post a thread on why some people change out both tires at the same time after 12K miles, ok.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 798
From: Bear Flag, lower end
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 767
Likes: 54
From: San Antonio, TX
While I am innately aware that the tranny oil is good for 20K, its cheap enough that when I change the crankcase oil I just do all three, keeps me from trying to remember when I did it last, even though its logged in my maintenance log, I don't have to worry and cheap insurance. Just my 2 cents.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 198
From: Ill Annoy
I don’t even ride 5000 mi/year (unfortunately). I just change everything right before I put the bike away for the winter, so’s i don’t have to remember any more damn details 
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 355
Likes: 85
From: Living 33yrs in Sunny Florida !!! Living the retirement dream....Love it!!!
It’s just a habit I’ve always done and it’s not that big of a deal .. When you get the dealer to do your oil change, I’m spending less money and changing all 3...to me it’s called preventative maintenance...I’ve been riding for 54 yrs and over 500k miles on 2 wheels and oil hasn’t always been like it is now, so you had to change it often..it might be pissing money away...in the realm of reality that’s not much money partner !!!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
I can afford to change the fluids any time I want, so that's what I do. Also, I wouldn't give the "engineers" at the MoCo credit for having enough sense to know when to wipe their own butts!
Screw the "beer money" - I quit drinking that **** decades ago, anyway.
Screw the "beer money" - I quit drinking that **** decades ago, anyway.
Last edited by jpooch00; Feb 17, 2018 at 06:58 AM.