Primary oil change
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,523
Likes: 6,406
From: Honah Lee
Is it not in the owners manual? If you do not have one, go here. https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson....cle/lookupForm
It truly makes sense to do it with bike level (after all that is how most people ride down the road) and to the bottom of the diaphragm spring on the clutch. However, this is difficult to see and understand. Pretty sure on your bike, Harley just states amount. And that amount put's it a little higher then as in the past to give the compensator a little more splash and yet not bury the clutch too much. Just make sure you drain it out while the bike is level to make sure it is all out.
It truly makes sense to do it with bike level (after all that is how most people ride down the road) and to the bottom of the diaphragm spring on the clutch. However, this is difficult to see and understand. Pretty sure on your bike, Harley just states amount. And that amount put's it a little higher then as in the past to give the compensator a little more splash and yet not bury the clutch too much. Just make sure you drain it out while the bike is level to make sure it is all out.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7,855
Likes: 4,414
From: Texas
Plain Jane simple answer is put the bike level and fill the primary up to the bottom of the clutch basket. Don't worry about how many ounces it takes, just get it to where it needs to be.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 834
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Plain answer is most people work on their bike, when it is on the stand.
Unless there was some change to the new frame, I call BS to this. Why anyone would even think about it is beyond me.
Next time before you drain it, take the derby off, I think you will see nothing happens, when it is on the stand.
Again unless something has changed, this is just silly. I have 5 and 6 speed on old frame FLH, you can take derby off and chain inspect off, which is even lower on 5 speed.
Look how big the primary is. You think that little bit of fluid will that up to that point? Look how small the bottle is.
Unless I got a leak, I never look at level. I put in what the manual says.
Unless there was some change to the new frame, I call BS to this. Why anyone would even think about it is beyond me.
Next time before you drain it, take the derby off, I think you will see nothing happens, when it is on the stand.
Again unless something has changed, this is just silly. I have 5 and 6 speed on old frame FLH, you can take derby off and chain inspect off, which is even lower on 5 speed.
Look how big the primary is. You think that little bit of fluid will that up to that point? Look how small the bottle is.
Unless I got a leak, I never look at level. I put in what the manual says.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Jun 14, 2017 at 09:21 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 123
From: Spokane, WA
Bike is now 95% (give or take) level and more than stable enough to pull 3 plugs and change all 3 fluids.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7,855
Likes: 4,414
From: Texas
Does the manual say that the bike needs to be on the stand to drain the lubricant? If it says to upright the bike and then drain oil, and add an APPROX. 34 oz., you'll need to adjust your amount of lubricant based on how you drain your lubricant, as the results will vary - draining it on the stand may reduce the residual amount, therefore, leaving you adding less than needed. This is probably why they say the amount to add is APPROX., and to ensure the level is to the bottom of the clutch basket.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 834
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
It is a gear bath. I don't think you can tell 1 ounce plus or minus. But you are probably right the plug is low enough for the primary to get most of it out. I just prefer to lean something towards the plug. But probably doesn't matter much.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
As I stated earlier, I agree. Where the primary drain plug is located, common sense tells me to have bike on side stand to drain the most fluid.