Changing tranny fluid

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Sep 2, 2015 | 04:06 PM

#11

soft 02

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2007

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From: TOAK western branch

Only reason I would do it hot would be to suspend any metal particles.

Sep 2, 2015 | 04:56 PM

#12

sixguns

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Joined: Nov 2013

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From: SW Washington State

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartanden

another caveat..... if you ride the bike 10-15 miles before change, you will make sure any and all debris or contaminants are in suspension....that is fully mixed with the oil. also condensation will be burnt off or absorbed in the oil. Then when you put fresh fluid in, you know you got all the crap out.

That right there is the reason for draining hot. Best practice is to plan ahead, drain after your last ride. I don't ride much on weekends, so Friday night when I get home I pop the plugs and fill it up the next day.

Sep 2, 2015 | 06:40 PM

#13

seniorsuperglideE8

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Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 15,788

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From: along the shore of Mishigami

+1 with Spartaden, drain while hot, it removes all the suspended contaniments, won't go into detail about getting your bike upright off the jiffy stand while draining.

Sep 2, 2015 | 08:10 PM

#14

checkers

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 5,016

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From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartanden

This is the #1 reason to run the bike in gear to warm the fluid and get the debris suspended and allow it to drain. Thumbs up!

Sep 2, 2015 | 09:34 PM

#15

oct1949

Club Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 145,895

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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..

Naw.. its probably still hot from the last run you did...

just let it drain for 24 hrs and you'll get about the same results...

Sep 2, 2015 | 10:51 PM

#16

Fishrrman

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 1,510

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From: Connecticut

Ride the bike 20 miles or so. It will warm the fluids up well enough.

I buy Mobil 1 75w/90 synthetic gear oil. Comes in a bottle with a handy "pointy" tip so that you don't need a funnel to pour it in.

Service manual for my 07 Road Glide says 32oz. required, so I just pour the whole bottle in, then close things up. Runs fine 'til next time...

Sep 3, 2015 | 09:07 AM

#17

Uncle G.

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 9,332

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From: Upstate New York

With my Softail I change the engine oil hot to make sure as much oil is in the tank as possible. Primary and transmission I don't worry about, as by the time I get to doing them during a service, they've cooled off again. I just open the plug and let them drain while I'm doing something else.

I have 198,000 miles on the original transmission, so if I was doing it wrong, I'd know it by now.

Sep 3, 2015 | 11:35 AM

#18

chromepony

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Joined: Apr 2007

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Edited.

Last edited by chromepony; Sep 3, 2015 at 03:23 PM.

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Sep 3, 2015 | 03:39 PM

#19

Loc_Tite

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Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 1,392

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From: Delaware

Changing tranny fluid

I drain mine hot enough to be uncomfortable touching the plug with the bike on a jack so it's level. That's the only way I found an entire quart fills it exactly to the top of the hashmarks. Did it in winter once with a brief warm-up and couldn't get 3/4 of a quart in there. It certainly has to do with viscosity of different fluids- I use Red line which is really thick when it's cold.