I have an 06 Harley Davidson XL883C and under "Safe Operating Maintenance" in the owners manual (p 103) it says:
"2. Belt and primary chain for proper tension, wear or damage."
Also:
"6. Engine oil and primary chaincase/transmission fluid levels."

My bike has a belt and not a chain, so I have no idea what "primary chain" is or "primary chaincase".
I can't check it, if I don't know what/where it is.
Thanks for any help you can give.

 

The primary chain case contains the primary chain and its related hardware (tensioner, sprockets, etc). The primary chain is what connects the engine to the transmission (the drive belt then connects the transmission to the rear wheel).

The primary is located on the left side of the bike, if you're sitting on it. It's the oblong case that you see from the bottom of the "V" shape of your engine and runs towards the back of the bike.

That's the simplest explanation I can give. I'm sure someone can come along with a much more technical explanation.

 

The belt goes from the transmission to the rear sprocket.

The primary chain goes from the engine to the transmission.

You need to buy a factory service manual because if you lack knowledge of something so basic, you will be lost for something more advanced.

 

The OP is making quotes from the Owner's Manual.

Does Harley expect people to shell out another 100- for a book just to understand the terminology from the Owner's Manual?

 

No, they don't that's why they price them so high. Harley knows that probably 90% of riders today don't work on their own bikes so they have to jack the price on the other 10%. And no, adjusting your mirrors or putting air in your tires does not qualify as "working" on your bike.

 

I think some YouTube videos would help you out.
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...XL883C+primary

 

Apparently his owners manual lacks pictures showing the primary chain.

The point is it sounds like he plans on working on his bike himself which means there is information in there he will need later on. In a sense, the book pays for itself by not having to pay the dealer or someone to do stuff.

I guess I am so used to messing with older bikes that I consider a factory service manual one of the most important tools in the tool box.

Generally, owners manuals cover operations and basic maintenance like tire pressure and service manuals cover service all the way to a complete rebuild.

 

YOU do not belong riding a Harley!!!

 

While a shop manual is a good investment.. with today information on the web, using google is a wise thing to learn how to do...

you will learn you can find almost anything and everything on U-tube to figure out how and what to do when it comes to working on your bike...

 

Lighten up Francis. The guy is jus trying to learn about his bike and has asked for some help.

OP stick around, there's a lot of good help here along with the usual internet geniuses and ball-busters.