1986 Harley FLST primary oil level
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
Johnny, early Evos used the shovel dry sump chaincase, they were not actually dry. The oil pump fed oil to the chain and pumped it out again. A daft system frankly, as it was dependent on being air-tight - if there was an air leak the oil was not evacuated properly and built up, wetting the 'dry' friction plates.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Haslet Texas
Hell I was surprised too!!!!!
I can't say I liked it one bit.
Just pouring fluid in and not being able to see it to verify at what level it is at is kinda unnerving !!!!!
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
On the topic of filling the primary:
My experience is that even with a good funnel it's hard to get the oil into the clutch access derby cover opening without it running all over the place. This is another reason why adding it into the large, un-obscured adjustment / inspection opening works well.
Why there isn't a primary filler hole with a dipstick is anybody's guess.
My experience is that even with a good funnel it's hard to get the oil into the clutch access derby cover opening without it running all over the place. This is another reason why adding it into the large, un-obscured adjustment / inspection opening works well.
Why there isn't a primary filler hole with a dipstick is anybody's guess.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
On the topic of filling the primary:
My experience is that even with a good funnel it's hard to get the oil into the clutch access derby cover opening without it running all over the place. This is another reason why adding it into the large, un-obscured adjustment / inspection opening works well.
Why there isn't a primary filler hole with a dipstick is anybody's guess.
My experience is that even with a good funnel it's hard to get the oil into the clutch access derby cover opening without it running all over the place. This is another reason why adding it into the large, un-obscured adjustment / inspection opening works well.
Why there isn't a primary filler hole with a dipstick is anybody's guess.
I just pour it straight out of the bottle.
No problems so far.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
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From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
Actually it's the mounting holes for the cover that my oil seems to seep out of when I pour to quickly and get it running down the inside of the opening.
And it's a valid point that later models don't even have the chain adjustment opening.
Don't you agree though it still would be easier all the way around if they had designed a filler hole with a dipstick?
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Joined: May 2008
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From: South Carolina
The level according to the service manual changed for the `90 model year, although I always have set my primary level to just touch the outside of the clutch shell, it worked fine for as long as I had that type clutch in my `89 Softail (it is currently running a `90-`93 type clutch along with a late model 5 speed gearset).
This was true for the early 5 speeds, that used the older shovelhead type clutch.
All diaphragm spring type clutches use a sealed, isolated primary using its own oil bath.
Johnny, early Evos used the shovel dry sump chaincase, they were not actually dry. The oil pump fed oil to the chain and pumped it out again. A daft system frankly, as it was dependent on being air-tight - if there was an air leak the oil was not evacuated properly and built up, wetting the 'dry' friction plates.
All diaphragm spring type clutches use a sealed, isolated primary using its own oil bath.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Agree completely! We Evo owners have the means of checking level easily for all three oils, so if it is no longer possible to check the level in the chaincase then we need something.
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From: Honah Lee
Forget the amount other then using it as a guide on how much to buy. With bike level, fill to outside edge of the spring, so the clutch disks are not running in oil. As low as the chain dips down on the tensioner and the ring gear, it's like a dish washer in there, and at this level, it will clack less on cold start ups going into gear.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Sep 14, 2018 at 10:26 AM.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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This is the primary of my 1986 FLST.
If I fill the oil level to the bottom of the clutch diaphragm spring level then it seems like it would be pretty low given that the chain sits quite high on the chain adjuster unit.
If I fill the primary to the bottom of the chain adjuster inspection cover then the level of the primary oil is right about where the chain sits on the white plastic part of the adjuster..but the clutch plates are sitting in the primary all half the time.
What seems correct??
Is it OK for the clutch plates to sit in the primary oil?
If I fill the oil level to the bottom of the clutch diaphragm spring level then it seems like it would be pretty low given that the chain sits quite high on the chain adjuster unit.
If I fill the primary to the bottom of the chain adjuster inspection cover then the level of the primary oil is right about where the chain sits on the white plastic part of the adjuster..but the clutch plates are sitting in the primary all half the time.
What seems correct??
Is it OK for the clutch plates to sit in the primary oil?