Primary leaking
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 100
Likes: 40
From: merrillville, in
So I think I figured it out. I stopped at autozone by work and picked up some Lucas gear oil, 85w140. Figured that would be okay since the gear oil Harley is selling now for trans/ primary is 80w140. Had to do on jiffy stand since didnt have a helper but added a couple ounces and then retightened using a torx bit on a screwdriver. Even with same gasket, doesnt look like any new leaks on way home. Im never going to use electric screwdriver on that again. I think that was problem. Wrong sequence/ over tour queue. Also noticed a few fuel drops from under seat, but from what Ive heard, thats kind of normal.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
I don't have an 18 M8 engine but are there 2 or 3 holes? For the twin cam the primary was a 10w-40 NON energy conserving and the transmission uses the gear oil. Yes the method in post 10 will get you close and at least you can verify you are not dry but servicing with the correct amount is the proper way, not by visual level.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 2,310
From: Wisconsin
So I think I figured it out. I stopped at autozone by work and picked up some Lucas gear oil, 85w140. Figured that would be okay since the gear oil Harley is selling now for trans/ primary is 80w140. Had to do on jiffy stand since didnt have a helper but added a couple ounces and then retightened using a torx bit on a screwdriver. Even with same gasket, doesnt look like any new leaks on way home. Im never going to use electric screwdriver on that again. I think that was problem. Wrong sequence/ over tour queue. Also noticed a few fuel drops from under seat, but from what Ive heard, thats kind of normal.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,032
Likes: 12,560
From: South Carolina
A lot of the 75-85 w140 gear lubes out there are designed for limited slip pumpkins, so be careful with the assumption that all 75w140 gear lube is the same...
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jun 14, 2019 at 07:25 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,032
Likes: 12,560
From: South Carolina
The visual method will get you to the exact level as required in the Factory Service Manual.
The only objective is to get the lube to the correct level, not fret about 32 oz, 48 oz.etc...
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jun 14, 2019 at 07:37 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 5,315
Likes: 4,272
From: Granville New York
I don't have an 18 M8 engine but are there 2 or 3 holes? For the twin cam the primary was a 10w-40 NON energy conserving and the transmission uses the gear oil. Yes the method in post 10 will get you close and at least you can verify you are not dry but servicing with the correct amount is the proper way, not by visual level.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 2,310
From: Wisconsin
Make sure that gear lube does not contain friction modifier for limited slip differentials, if it does it is not the right lube for you primary.
A lot of the 75-85 w140 gear lubes out there are designed for limited slip pumpkins, so be careful with the assumption that all 75w140 gear lube is the same...
A lot of the 75-85 w140 gear lubes out there are designed for limited slip pumpkins, so be careful with the assumption that all 75w140 gear lube is the same...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
Survey says....eeerrr...wrong answer. Imagine this ...do you think you drain the same exact amount each time you do the primary? So let's say you just fill it each time with 36 ounces but when you drain you're only getting 32...after a few changes you'll be over filled. It's your bike you do as you like but I like checking mine by looking...just like when I fill the tranny and crankcase...i look at the dipstick and I don't just drop in 3.5 quarts. To the op...carry a few basic tools with you and you could have checked you primary level in about 2 minutes. But what the hell do I know?
The OP issue was the primary leaking and I'd like all these experts to show me a picture of a dipstick on a primary. OP also made reference to adding 85w-140, gear oil to the primary and a bunch of maintenance wizards cautioning about friction miodifiers for gear oil. WRONG lube to the WRONG hole.
I do my own servicing and am consistent with my procedures when I service them. I also have REAL HD service manuals that I use for servicing guidance. I add the prescribed amounts and never had any clutch, or shifting issues. Only been working on my own vehicles for several decades but what he hell do I know?