So I changed the oil in my primary the other day. The manual calls for 38 fl oz (wet) of Formula + transmission primary chain lubricant. Or 45 fl oz dry screaming eagle syn3 full synthetic motorcycle lubricant 20w50.
What is (wet) and (dry) mean?
I used 20w50 synthetic. I used 32oz and it seems to be shifting a little harder than what it was before I changed it. Any help would be great thanks

 

I think you misunderstood. It's 38 ounces when wet which means if you're just changing the fluid by rhe drain plug and that's 38 ounces. Dry is when you're taking your rimary cover completely off and emptying everything insid. Now it's empty or dry and needs 45 ounces to fill it. Also using the 20-50 in the primary probably is why you're experiencing a different feel. Formula + is better for the primary. How I use Shell Rotella T in the primary and that stuff works great.

And why would you use 32 ounces when it calls for 38 wet or 45 dry?

 

Your manual has an illustration that shows what the proper level should be......

 

Thanks for the response guy's. I purchased the oil from our local dealer. He had me use the 20w50 and as well told me one bottle of oil is all I needed. After the change and riding it all day I noticed the difference in the shifting and decided to pull out the manual. Hear is a picture of what my manual read's. If I'm reading this correctly, when I take bolt 1,2,3,4,5 off. And pull drain plug. That is a wet change?

 

The dealer suggested you use 20w50 in your primary?? 20w50 is usually, from my experience anyway, engine oil, not primary oil.
That's why manufacturers make oil called primary oil.

And yes, if you pull the drain plug, and the inspection cover bolts, that is the wet change.

And do yourself a favor, get a service manual and use that and not your local dealer as a resource.

 

That is correct. Where your dealer went wrong is there are different capacities of primary oil in HD's. I believe my 06 is 26 ounces wet and my 09 is 32. Both Softails

 

Don't go by ounces...go by the oil level just barely touching the clutch diaphragm spring with the bike on a level surface standing straight up. YD

 

I'm with Lakerat and Yankee. The quantities in the manual simply give you a guide to how much oil you need beside you before you start. Then fill to the correct level! Same comment applies to the brake fluid reservoirs, engine oil tank and transmission oil.

 

OK, here is a question. I drained my fluid hot two days ago. I zip-tied my clutch to the bars so fluid would drain from the clutch plates. It (as of right now) is still in that same position. So after that kind of drain, is it wet or dry? (it's an 09' Ultra)

 

It's still a wet change.