Four Speed Trans
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Ohio
Four Speed Trans
Just pick up a '85 softail heritage with a four speed kicker transmission. Started puking trany fluid, looking to drain the fluid and begin digging in. Several questions. First can't locate a drain plug? SM states drain plug bottom right side between the struts. I see nothing. Motorcycle on a stand, I've used mirrors, cameras everything I can think of? I'm must be blind, can it be possible there is no drain plug. Second question, the previous owner had little info on this bike, Evo was allegedly rebuilt 10k ago, but I'm looking for information on the trans to order new seals and gaskets. Found a stamp BX9135, any ideas on what that indicates?
Last edited by Houstons4; Jun 10, 2015 at 09:03 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,195
Likes: 3,085
From: NW AR
4 speed transmissions are the same from like the 30's until they stopped making them.
First off, you need a factory shop manual, is that what you have? It will have everything you need including a complete rebuild on the transmission. Drain plug is under there, you just need to find it. Next find out where it is leaking from. A common problem with the 4 speed is the main seal on the output shaft, and the little inner seal between the input and output shafts. Clean everything really well, put fluid in, see if you can find the leak.
Cool bike.
First off, you need a factory shop manual, is that what you have? It will have everything you need including a complete rebuild on the transmission. Drain plug is under there, you just need to find it. Next find out where it is leaking from. A common problem with the 4 speed is the main seal on the output shaft, and the little inner seal between the input and output shafts. Clean everything really well, put fluid in, see if you can find the leak.
Cool bike.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,324
Likes: 3,571
From: Picayune, Ms.
The picture appears to be the top left side of the transmission. Wrong side.
Look on the right/back side, the drain plug is at the bottom of the transmission; not under.
You will need a 5/8(?) socket with all the extensions you got plus an universal joint to get to it.
Tape the universal joint so it is slightly immobilized to be able to go from the right side of the rear wheel and below level with the transmission.
To get the correct amount of fluid in remove the allen screw on the right side of the transmission and fill until fluid seeps out, bike level. This may be the reason you have a "leak' also because the box was overfilled.
An easy way to but the plug back in is to tear off a small corner of paper towel, lay it across the socket and push the plug into the socket jamming it with the paper towel. Start the plug in the trans. and remove the socket to remove the paper towel then continue to snug up the plug.
After you find the plug this may all make sense to you :-) good luck.
Look on the right/back side, the drain plug is at the bottom of the transmission; not under.
You will need a 5/8(?) socket with all the extensions you got plus an universal joint to get to it.
Tape the universal joint so it is slightly immobilized to be able to go from the right side of the rear wheel and below level with the transmission.
To get the correct amount of fluid in remove the allen screw on the right side of the transmission and fill until fluid seeps out, bike level. This may be the reason you have a "leak' also because the box was overfilled.
An easy way to but the plug back in is to tear off a small corner of paper towel, lay it across the socket and push the plug into the socket jamming it with the paper towel. Start the plug in the trans. and remove the socket to remove the paper towel then continue to snug up the plug.
After you find the plug this may all make sense to you :-) good luck.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
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From: Farmington ,MS
Never seen a drain plug in the kicker cover...it is on the bottom pretty much under the shock...and they never made a heritage in 85
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Ohio
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,324
Likes: 3,571
From: Picayune, Ms.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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I was going to make the same point - the first year for the Heritage was 1986, and it had a 5 speed, like all 86 and up softails. Somebody could have changed the fenders and stuff to make it look like a Heritage, but none were factory built in 1985.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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the drain plug is the one pictured above.
