I agree 100% on most of your statement. Not sure what that has to do with what I have said or even what the jest of this thread is about. (primary). I have just been stating engineering facts for some who may fall for typical Harley bullshit. We all understand at the beginning of each day, we all do what we want to do.

 

Ripsaw , thanks for the fill level tip. Before I started troubleshooting this, I read in my service manual that my symptoms can be caused by excessive fill, so you are spot on. I am not positive on the initial formula + fill level (I just drained it before I opened the Derby cover), but I only filled the 20w50 to the point of touching the cage with the bike vertical, and I did the same with the ATF.
I am fairly comfortable adjusting the clutch, as I have done a number of them before on my other bikes without issue, so I don't feel that is the problem either.

If I venture back to a thicker primary oil again, I will test the fill level again because that seems to be the logical cause.

 

========================================

" a lot off cars also use ATF in their gearboxes these days, just run what makes you happy. "

BINGO!

BTW, i realize this is an older thread but i had to make a point nobody has addressed on the ATF in HD prim case subject so here goes.

The newer gen cars/trucks etc that use ATF in man trans apps have transmissions & x-fer cases specifically designed with proper clearances and bearings to be safely lubed by ATF vs the inner prim bearing and compensator in a TC HD motor primary case that was not designed by HD to be lubed by ATF thats got a significantly diff base oil & chem additive pkg then the prim case HD recs which is a key point.

And to add to that fact an oil engineer was contacted at an oil mfg & stated ATF was not a good choice for lubing the lrg IPB in an HD primary case let along the compensator too that was posted a while back in another thread here in HDFroums.

Theres no doubt ATF makes for much better clutch plate release & quieter shifting ,but as far as ATF being best choice for long term /80-100k + miles protection of the IPB & compensator is questionable esp since the ATF rec not using it an HD primary case due to concern it wouldn't properly lube the lrg IPB due to the properties on ATF by design.

I have to admit i have been very tempted to tyr ATF to quiet clunk when shifting ,but with a expert at the ATF-oil mfg stating ATF is worng choice for HD prim case (esp for IPB) along with other posts i have seen w-pics of cond inside prim using atf with low mile compensator looking dirty/brown & or rusted & prematurly worn on trq ramps with low miles on the comp thats stopping me from trying ATF.

And what also helped me decide not to try ATF to reduce shifting clunk noise is quite a few guys have also posted in some of the "ATF use in primary case threads " i have read here that they have used std 85w prim oil in their prim cases that gives you the ST HD clunk when shifting for 90-100k+ miles without any trans issues associated to the shifting clunk for 100k+ miles using HD's rec prim case oil thats not ATF.

I have only seen 1 maybe 2 guys post here in hdforums that they have been using ATF in the prim case in the same bike for 30k miles or so without any issues thus far.

I would not trust ATF in my HD's prim case until i read quite a few threads where guys ran ATF in a TC motor's primary with no issues (Esp not having any IPB & Comp failure) for 75-80k+ miles or more like i have read has been the case when guys posted they ran HD's rec lube for TC motor prim case with no problems (esp with trans) clunking with every shift for 100k miles.

As always,JMHO & $.02.

Scott

 

I had a clunk shifting to first on my 14' FXDF since new. Mentioned it at the 1k service end of last year. They changed the oil and said the clunk was normal so I rode it all season. No issue.
At the end of this season I switched from forward controls to mid controls and in doing so, replaced the oil in the primary with Amsoil 10w-40 motorcycle oil. I used it because I had it on hand and only figured I'd do a few more rides before the end of the season. Low and behold, the clunk is completely gone.....go figure.

 

Mobil 1 syn ATF in the primary for about 10,000 miles now. Zero wear, no cold start KLUNK, smooth shifting, easy to find neutral.

I wouldn't run anything else.

Some reading material...

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...les-later.html

__________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

 

I tried some ATF, and also Trick-Shift in the primary. What I did notice is great clutch operation... but also an increase in particulate, I will assume from lack of lubrication in other areas.

I have also ran about everything else that people said was the ****....

I'm now running the same oil I use in the crank... Mobile-1 Vtwin 20/50. and Mobil75-140 in the tranny ( 75-90 in the winter).

Won't change again.

 

I have been running Syn-3 in all 3 holes. I just reassembled my inner/outer after getting them powdered. My wrench suggested using a Dexron Mercon ATF and ride for 30 miles to cleanse the parts. Then I'll drain and replace with Belray primary fluid. I didn't get to ride yet, as I developed a short In A turn signal that blew a fuse and killed my running lights. As soon as I ride I'll update with some feedback.

 

Long as you're putting some ATF in there, try the Mobil 1... you can get it at Autozone.

 

I used valvoline.

 

I just finished a 30 mile ride with ATF in the primary. I have been running syn3 for 2 years prior. My immediate feedback is that it went into gear so smooth that I almost couldn't tell if I was actually in gear.