Primary Oil Fill Level???

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Aug 17, 2014 | 01:19 PM

hoethree

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From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico

Primary Oil Fill Level???

Ok, so the Service Manual for my GF's 2009 Softail Deluxe calls for 32 oz of fluid in the primary after service. This is a stock 96 in motor.

The Service Manual for my 2010 StreetGlide calls for 38 oz of fluid in the primary after service. This too is a stock 96 in motor.

Same motors, same primary case, same transmission.

Why the difference in fluid capacity? This is driving me nuts and I cant seem to get a straight answer from any HD techs. Most common answer is fill to where you can see the fluid just at the bottem of the primary opening.

What say you?

Aug 17, 2014 | 01:22 PM

Leftcoaster

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From: Pacific Northwest

Simple enough - the motors are not identical, neither are the primaries. Put in the amounts the manuals for each call for.

Aug 17, 2014 | 01:28 PM

hoethree

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From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leftcoaster

Simple enough - the motors are not identical, neither are the primaries. Put in the amounts the manuals for each call for.

I have always wondered if they were indeed identical motors, etc.
Does this have anything to do with the fact the Softail is counterbalanced (the B version) while the StreetGlide is not (the A version).

I am with you on following the manual's direction but this has often concerned me when I service both of them together.

Any other thoughts?

thanks

Aug 17, 2014 | 02:45 PM

seniorsuperglideE8

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From: along the shore of Mishigami

Isn't the softtail a "B" engine and the Streetglide an "A" engine? If so they aren't identical. Bottom of the clutch basket is sufficient.

Aug 17, 2014 | 03:00 PM

Uncle G.

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From: Upstate New York

The primary cases are completely different between the Softails and the touring bikes. As it is, I never measure the quantity, I fill the primary to the indicated level as shown in the service manual.

Aug 17, 2014 | 03:23 PM

electricstart

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38 oz in my 13 street glide ,32 in my 09 softail .

Aug 17, 2014 | 03:23 PM

qtrracer

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From: SoCal

The primaries have been different before the softail went to a counterbalanced configuration. There were Harley's being built before hd started making the softail b motor, lol.

Last edited by qtrracer; Aug 17, 2014 at 03:51 PM.