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Jul 6, 2010 | 05:37 PM

RoyB

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 137

Likes: 20

From: Chicago Burbs.

HD newbie

Hey all. Finally got 1000 miles on the bike so I decided to change the oil. I've repaired transmissions on sportbikes and done major engine and trans work to my old transam. This harley has me a bit worried I am going to screw something up though. I've done some searches but I am having a hard time understanding.

I drained 2 plugs on my 2010 Road King. The forward facing one is the engine oil and the bottom facing one is the transmission, correct?

The engine oil dipstick show empty after I drained the engine, and the allen dipstick next to the engine oil is the trans I thought...Well, it shows there is some oil in there still- is that normal? It also looks very clean, where the oil drained from the bottom was dirty. What am I missing? The pictures I have seen online show people re-filling the trans from the cover on the left side. Is this normal practice or do people re-fill from the dipstick? Is that cover even for the trans? In sportbikes It is all one oil from the clutch, trans, and engine with one plug and one fill.

Sorry for what seems like simple answers, but I am a bit confused by this beast.

I have read 20/50 for the engine oil and 75/90 for the trans oil, correct?

thanks for the help!

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Jul 6, 2010 | 08:21 PM

Pine Tree

MODERATOR

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 4,108

Likes: 1,964

From: New England

Your second picture shows the drain for the primary...not the transmission (drained through the bottom).

Remove the derby cover bolts (with the correct tors bit) before draining the primary. If you snap one of the little bolts, they're a bugger to get out.

The primary is filled through the side cover (aka derby cover) and that requires a wet-clutch compatible oil in the 10w40 to 20w50 range (some even use ATF).

Hope that helps...

Last edited by Pine Tree; Jul 6, 2010 at 08:25 PM.

Jul 6, 2010 | 08:26 PM

lo-rider

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 4,990

Likes: 9

From: Marina del Rey

manual

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyB

...I drained 2 plugs on my 2010 Road King. The forward facing one is the engine oil and the bottom facing one is the transmission, correct?

The engine oil dipstick show empty after I drained the engine, and the allen dipstick next to the engine oil is the trans I thought...Well, it shows there is some oil in there still- is that normal? It also looks very clean, where the oil drained from the bottom was dirty. What am I missing? The pictures I have seen online show people re-filling the trans from the cover on the left side. Is this normal practice or do people re-fill from the dipstick? Is that cover even for the trans? In sportbikes It is all one oil from the clutch, trans, and engine with one plug and one fill.

Sorry for what seems like simple answers, but I am a bit confused by this beast.

I have read 20/50 for the engine oil and 75/90 for the trans oil, correct?..

I'm going to take a chance and guess that you've never read your owners manual, and also suggest you purchase the service manual.

Jul 6, 2010 | 09:27 PM

RoyB

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 137

Likes: 20

From: Chicago Burbs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pine Tree

That makes sense. I did not realize that the clutch and trans were separate. I actually took the derby cover off after I took the picture to look around a bit. So where is the trans drained from? Is it even necessary to change the trans after 1000 miles? Looks super clean. How do you check the level in the primary then?

Thanks so much for the help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lo-rider

I'm going to take a chance and guess that you've never read your owners manual, and also suggest you purchase the service manual.

Nope. Owners manual is in the office somewhere, but I am refinishing my floors upstairs so everything from my kitchen, living room, and dining room are now sitting in my office and bedroom. Also having a hard time finding a service manual (cylmers or other) since apparently all the auto stores around here only care about gm and ford. I remember picking up one for my sport bike at a pepboys quite some time back. I appreciate the sarcasm, now I remember why I got rid of my vette

Jul 7, 2010 | 02:53 AM

95custmz

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 851

Likes: 1

From: Indiana

You check your primary fluid level by taking off the round derby cover. With the bike held upright or on a bike jack the fluid level should be just below the lower lip of the derby cover cutout.

Jul 7, 2010 | 06:14 AM

Pine Tree

MODERATOR

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 4,108

Likes: 1,964

From: New England

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyB

...So where is the trans drained from? Is it even necessary to change the trans after 1000 miles? Looks super clean.

Looking under the bike from the right side, you should see two 5/8" external hex plugs. The one on the far side of the rear pan (pointing forward) drains the motor oil...it contains a small o-ring so make sure it comes out with the plug. Have replacement o-rings available in case one tears.

The other external hex (also 5/8's) near the rear and facing straight down drains the transmission. It also contains an o-ring making same statement above apply.

As the tranny fluid can last a long time...change it the first time with a good gear oil (75w140 is ok) and be done with it for another 10,000 miles.

NOTE: when changing the motor oil, not all of it will drain out leaving as much as 1 quart remaining. When refilling with fresh oil, add one qt at a time checking often. Over filling will cause some issues including oil being forced out the air cleaner and making a great mess. Many find leaving the "HOT" level at the lower end of the stick helps oil bypass problems.

Normally the primary fluid is added through the derby cover with the bike upright. Just add the appropriate amount (usually a quart plus a few ounces) and you'll be good to go. Don't twist the cover gasket or it will leak.

Hope that helps!

Jul 10, 2010 | 02:02 PM

RoyB

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 137

Likes: 20

From: Chicago Burbs.

thanks for the help. Finally got some time to get the oil back in the bike. Still don't see the trans drain though :shrug: I'll have to check it out when I get some more motivation. Picked up the trans fluid for when I do find it though

Little over a quart into the primary and I Think almost 3 went into the engine. Came out perfect after running. Right in the middle of the hot operating. Thanks for the help again, who woulda thought there would be so many place to fill on a bike lol.