maintanance, '97 Bad Boy
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Cruiser
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maintanance, '97 Bad Boy
Before I get the manual, can someone tell me the ins and outs of changing the primary fluid? Is there a gear oil also that can be changed? I've changed motor oil many times on other evos, just not these other fluids. Thanks
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Richmond, VA
Theres a small plug on the bottom rear of the primary. Thats the drain. You pull the primary cover to refill. I recommend buying a new gasket at the moco since you have no idea how long the old ones been reused. I have been able to reuse a new one a few times without issues, some people prefer a new gasket each and every time. I use Harley primary/tranny fluid because it contains no friction modifiers that can be found in many motor oils. ATF seems to be all the rage as well.
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Cruiser
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Thanks guys. I did it. Had a new gasket in hand but when I pulled the cover, there wasn't any gasket - there was an O ring that looked good. Since it wasn't leaking before I just went that way and left out the gasket. Seems all good now. How often do you all change the tranny fluid? Mine seemed cleaned and was at the dipstick mark so I left it alone. Oh, and I noticed that the break pads on the front were wearing unevenly. Normal? Thanks.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Granite Falls, NC
A manual will be the best investment ever made. You've got to know how much of each of the fluids that you need to replace.
I believe the 1997 primary is 32 oz in the primary, 1998 was 26 oz, lubricant should be level with the bottom edge of the clutch diaphragm spring.
Engine oil is 3 quarts
Transmission is 24 oz
Enjoy
I believe the 1997 primary is 32 oz in the primary, 1998 was 26 oz, lubricant should be level with the bottom edge of the clutch diaphragm spring.
Engine oil is 3 quarts
Transmission is 24 oz
Enjoy
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
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From: Richmond, VA
I usually change all three at the same time. Totally unnecessary, but I do it anyways. Changing the tranny and primary once for every 2 oil changes really is good enough but if your way to fanatical about you bike like me, you do nothing but waste a few bucks by changing them all every time. I gave myself nervous fits when I changed JUST my oil the other day and nothing else (first time ever), but its been triple digits here and I put some super hard two up miles on her last month in that mega heat. So I changed "just" the motor oil at 1000. First time for everything. At least my experience with pads wearing uneven can be corrected by pulling the pins, wire wheeling them, adding a touch of grease, reinstalling new pads and bleeding the brakes till fresh fluid comes out. It works for me anyways.
Last edited by bikerlaw; Aug 9, 2010 at 07:20 PM.
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From: Upstate New York
If you grease the brake caliper pins, be careful what you use. Harley says to use "Dow-Corning Moly 44", which is a silicone grease. The dealer sells it in tiny packets for an absurd price.
I made the mistake of substituting "brake caliper pin grease" from the auto parts store and had the pleasure of having both brakes sieze because the grease made the rubber o-rings and seals on which the pins slide swell up, locking up the calipers. I had to replace all the rubber parts and relubricate using the correct product.
I change my engine oil and filter every 2500 miles. I change primary oil, tranny oil and fork oil every second oil change or 5,000 miles. I flush the brake lines and refill with fresh DOT 5 fluid onced a year. I have 160,000 miles on my bike now, and my tranny has never been apart, so I must be doing okay.
Oh yeah, the transmission drain plug is on the right side of the transmission, on the "trap door", right underneath the chrome end cover.
I made the mistake of substituting "brake caliper pin grease" from the auto parts store and had the pleasure of having both brakes sieze because the grease made the rubber o-rings and seals on which the pins slide swell up, locking up the calipers. I had to replace all the rubber parts and relubricate using the correct product.
I change my engine oil and filter every 2500 miles. I change primary oil, tranny oil and fork oil every second oil change or 5,000 miles. I flush the brake lines and refill with fresh DOT 5 fluid onced a year. I have 160,000 miles on my bike now, and my tranny has never been apart, so I must be doing okay.
Oh yeah, the transmission drain plug is on the right side of the transmission, on the "trap door", right underneath the chrome end cover.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Aug 9, 2010 at 08:54 PM.
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