Checking oil levels on a conversion
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,393
Likes: 2,060
From: N. Atlanta Burbs
Checking oil levels on a conversion
Before the conversion...
Tranny.. check the oil level with the dipstick resting on the threads when on the Jiffy stand.
Motor... check the oil level with the dipstick all the way in when on the Jiffy stand, motor hot.
After the conversion....OK, well where should the levels show when you are converted to a trike?
I had the Champions reverse installed. I noticed the 07 six speed slapping gears more than normal. Checked the level this morning and it is just touching the dipstick but the trike is level. The way I see it, if it is level, the oil level should be higher on the dip stick.
Tri Glide owners, a little help from your manual please?
Other thoughts/help?
I'm going to drain the tranny today and measure it. I'll put new oil back in and recheck the dip stick and report back.
Thanks
Tranny.. check the oil level with the dipstick resting on the threads when on the Jiffy stand.
Motor... check the oil level with the dipstick all the way in when on the Jiffy stand, motor hot.
After the conversion....OK, well where should the levels show when you are converted to a trike?
I had the Champions reverse installed. I noticed the 07 six speed slapping gears more than normal. Checked the level this morning and it is just touching the dipstick but the trike is level. The way I see it, if it is level, the oil level should be higher on the dip stick.
Tri Glide owners, a little help from your manual please?
Other thoughts/help?
I'm going to drain the tranny today and measure it. I'll put new oil back in and recheck the dip stick and report back.
Thanks
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,393
Likes: 2,060
From: N. Atlanta Burbs
OK.. here we go.
I was able to get to it this afternoon. Drained all the tranny lube and let it set for a few hours to get every drop I could.
I refilled the tranny with 32oz (per the manual) and went around the block. I checked it hot and cold.. got the same levels both times.
The new lube fill gave me about the width of this dash _ on the bottom of the dipstick. The old lube gave me about the width of this period . on the bottom of the dipstick. The full mark on the dipstick is about ( ) this far from the actual lube level.
I measured the lube that I removed. It was 26oz. No leaks anywhere.
I measured the lube with the trike level. It would seem to me that with the trike being level lube would higher than the full mark but no.... seems to be short on lube. Would the Champions reverse installation cause it to take more fluid or am I just going crazy?
Any thoughts or help?
I was able to get to it this afternoon. Drained all the tranny lube and let it set for a few hours to get every drop I could.
I refilled the tranny with 32oz (per the manual) and went around the block. I checked it hot and cold.. got the same levels both times.
The new lube fill gave me about the width of this dash _ on the bottom of the dipstick. The old lube gave me about the width of this period . on the bottom of the dipstick. The full mark on the dipstick is about ( ) this far from the actual lube level.
I measured the lube that I removed. It was 26oz. No leaks anywhere.
I measured the lube with the trike level. It would seem to me that with the trike being level lube would higher than the full mark but no.... seems to be short on lube. Would the Champions reverse installation cause it to take more fluid or am I just going crazy?
Any thoughts or help?
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Banks, Alabama
Mr. Wizard, my 07 manual had the correct oil level reading points in it under side car levels. I figured it to be the same as a trike? You have me wondering if I need to check mine again? I put in 32oz? of 75W90 mobile one into my trans. It was reading very close to the manual level. I just had the 5000 miles service done on mine at HD. I will be draining the trans and filling it back up with the mobile one. Seemed to shift better and much quieter.
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,393
Likes: 2,060
From: N. Atlanta Burbs
Thanks bdn...
I looked in my 07 shop and owners manual but couldn't find what you found so I....
Called Champion. They said there is no oil added with their reverse kit. This information is also in the installation manual.
I called my trike builder. He said the fluid level should be exactly between the add/full mark when cold and level but it is OK if it is at the full mark since a trike rides level all the time. No leakage will occur. I almost asked him why there was only 26oz in it when I picked up but being a good boy I kept my mouth shut on that.
So, to bring the level between the add/full mark I had to add 6oz. or a grand total = 38oz
I will ride it later today and tomorrow and follow up.
I looked in my 07 shop and owners manual but couldn't find what you found so I....
Called Champion. They said there is no oil added with their reverse kit. This information is also in the installation manual.
I called my trike builder. He said the fluid level should be exactly between the add/full mark when cold and level but it is OK if it is at the full mark since a trike rides level all the time. No leakage will occur. I almost asked him why there was only 26oz in it when I picked up but being a good boy I kept my mouth shut on that.
So, to bring the level between the add/full mark I had to add 6oz. or a grand total = 38oz
I will ride it later today and tomorrow and follow up.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Banks, Alabama
Mr. Wizard, I found the info in my 2008 Owners Manual. I think the 2007 should be the same? There is a warning about the trans oil level. 32oz maximum or leakage could occur. I would double check yours.
I have attached 2 pics from the manual. One is the oil level on a jiffy stand, the other is oil level with a sidecar. I hope this helps. Thanks for the info in the pm.
I have attached 2 pics from the manual. One is the oil level on a jiffy stand, the other is oil level with a sidecar. I hope this helps. Thanks for the info in the pm.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Banks, Alabama
I just remembered, using my unscientific pea brain, the trans hold about 1/4 the oil the motor does. I use 1/4 the correction I use on the engine oil when checking the trans. Does that make any sense? It doesn't to me but it works. I don't like things complicated so I just add 32oz and ride.
Last edited by bdn56; Mar 22, 2009 at 07:21 AM. Reason: I woke up.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,393
Likes: 2,060
From: N. Atlanta Burbs
Yep... talking about two different animals bdn... motor oil 4 qts, tranny 1 qt.
Champions called me back again last evening and another tech said there is a small amount to add when installing a reverse kit. He said to just fill it until it shows full on the dipstick. He went on to say the installation instructions for the reverse kit should be changed but it won't hurt anything if it's low...
Hummm... well, doesn't really matter now cause I'll be using 38oz from now on unless I see leakage somewhere.
Sorry about the PM being so long Mr. B. Hope it was all clear.
Champions called me back again last evening and another tech said there is a small amount to add when installing a reverse kit. He said to just fill it until it shows full on the dipstick. He went on to say the installation instructions for the reverse kit should be changed but it won't hurt anything if it's low...
Hummm... well, doesn't really matter now cause I'll be using 38oz from now on unless I see leakage somewhere.
Sorry about the PM being so long Mr. B. Hope it was all clear.
Last edited by Mr. Wizard; Mar 22, 2009 at 06:45 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 1
From: Central Virginia
For checking engine oil engine oil, the opposite side of the dipstick has a small diamond shape higher up on the stick than the full mark on the normal side. That's the full mark when checking it level when hot.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 6
From: SC
I had an idea after reading this, when you change the fluids and run the bike for a few minutes re-check the levels and make a mark on the plastic dipstick for the motor oil now that it has the correct amount in it and one on the Transmission dipstick.
Then you know from the beginning were your fluid levels should be
Then you know from the beginning were your fluid levels should be