Harley Davidson Forums

2018+ Softail Models Breakout

Transmission fluid

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 24, 2023 | 03:03 PM
Share
  #1  
stepbill's Avatar
stepbill
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 57
Likes: 25
From: Aberdeen, NC
Default Transmission fluid
I bought my bike 2 weeks ago and decided to check the transmission fluid as I thought I was hearing a clanking noise. I checked it cold and the fluid was at the add line. Don't understand this as it was a certified bike. What fluid do you recommend to use and how much should it take to raise from the add to full line?
 
Reply
0
Old Apr 24, 2023 | 03:08 PM
Share
  #2  
702's Avatar
702
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,142
From: Las Vegas
Default
If you don't know what's in it, you should drain and refill. If you mix synthetic with real oil HD says bad things will happen.
 
Reply
3
Old Apr 24, 2023 | 03:15 PM
Share
  #3  
702's Avatar
702
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,142
From: Las Vegas
Default

 
Reply
1
Old Apr 24, 2023 | 03:30 PM
Share
  #4  
stepbill's Avatar
stepbill
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 57
Likes: 25
From: Aberdeen, NC
Default
I just called the dealership service dept., and he said that it should have HD Formula Plus in it since the bike only has 300 miles on it.
 
Reply
0
Old Apr 24, 2023 | 03:39 PM
Share
  #5  
M Oclaf's Avatar
M Oclaf
Grand HDF Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 5,889
From: Knoxville
Default
Originally Posted by stepbill
I just called the dealership service dept., and he said that it should have HD Formula Plus in it since the bike only has 300 miles on it.
Thats a confident response, not! See above, drain it, put in what you want at the required amount and ride on. No doubt what is in it then, no worries.
 
Reply
2
Old Apr 24, 2023 | 04:43 PM
Share
  #6  
strych9's Avatar
strych9
Seasoned HDF Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,322
Likes: 11,741
From: Omaha,NE
Default
Originally Posted by M Oclaf
Thats a confident response, not! See above, drain it, put in what you want at the required amount and ride on. No doubt what is in it then, no worries.
If it's a new bike it has Formula+ in it. No mystery there.
 
Reply
0
Old Apr 25, 2023 | 01:16 AM
Share
  #7  
Glenn Gorman's Avatar
Glenn Gorman
Stellar HDF Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2,288
Likes: 1,793
From: space
Default
Was the bike on the kickstand when you checked it?
 
Reply
0

Trending Topics

Old Apr 25, 2023 | 02:39 AM
Share
  #8  
OldMike's Avatar
OldMike
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,641
Likes: 1,985
From: Cleveland Zoo
Default
Originally Posted by stepbill
I bought my bike 2 weeks ago and decided to check the transmission fluid as I thought I was hearing a clanking noise. I checked it cold and the fluid was at the add line. Don't understand this as it was a certified bike. What fluid do you recommend to use and how much should it take to raise from the add to full line?
The fluid I recommend is oil.
The clanking might be caused because Formula+ is light weight oil that I use in the primary, being at add mark for transmission is not an emergency.
I use gear oil in my transmission, smooth and quiet operation.



 
Reply
3
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 25, 2023 | 07:44 AM
Share
  #9  
stepbill's Avatar
stepbill
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 57
Likes: 25
From: Aberdeen, NC
Default
Glenn, yes, it was on the kickstand.

Mike, thanks! I believe that I am going to drain and replace with the gear oil.
 
Reply
2
Old Apr 25, 2023 | 12:30 PM
Share
  #10  
NZLowrider's Avatar
NZLowrider
Tourer
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 449
Likes: 302
From: New Zealand
Default
Originally Posted by stepbill
Glenn, yes, it was on the kickstand.

Mike, thanks! I believe that I am going to drain and replace with the gear oil.
wont they change the tranny oil in your 1st service anyway?
 
Reply
0



Advanced Search
Reply Closed Thread Share
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:35 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE