Trying to get an idea of the fluids for my 1980 FXE, most of this is in my book but it recommends all HD and doesn't give the volumes needed

Engine oil: Weight and volume ?
Tranny: Weight and volume ?
Isolated primary: Weight and volume ?
Front forks: Been told same as tranny oil but thought I would check on weight and volume
Brakes: Front and rear?

Hmmm what else am I missing

TIA

Chris

 

Engine 50wt average or 60 wt if you have a hot summer happening 3 1/2 qts . People will tell you use 20-50 multi's , don't older bikes will run ok but rattle to beat hell you won't like it .

Tranny I use 50 wt motor oil and have for years with no issues and the trans shift's better than with 80-90 gear oil . All the older service books called for the motor oil so I never saw a reason to change what worked .

Primary that's been sealed I'll use Dexron ATF of HD primary oil , stand the bike upright and add only enough to come up to the bottom of the clutch pac not into it . The chain will stay lubed fine and the plates won't foul .

You put motor or tranny oil in narrow glide forks it will be like riding a brick , way to heavy . Run a mid range fork oil like 15 wt or similar and get yourself a factory manual not a Clymers or chiltons it will have all the volumes listed for these .

That bike still uses DOT 3 brake fluid so don't mix it with DOT 5 , they don't play well together .

Don't use synthetics in an older bike it will start leaking like a sieve everywhere , stick with dino based only you'll do fine .

 

Thanks for the help.

When filling the forks do you go all the way up....top them off or just enough to build pressure

 

do NOT fill it all the way up! I don't know how much oil your forks take, but I'm sure someone here will be able to help. Only put in what they call for, because if you overfill them you may blow out the fork seals.

 

Dude read what I said about a manual that's no joke please you seriously need one to do the basic types maintenance you want to do and you last statement about filling the forks up just reinforces that your going to cost your self a lot of money and maybe pain if you don't . Forks take ounces of fluid not quarts ok ? and each model is a little different and it's in that MANUAL I keep telling you about get one please you'll save a lot money and grief .

 

Thanks for the help, I have the factory manual ordered just waiting for it to show up.

The statement about filling the forks probably sounds like I don't know jack...which I don't, but enough common sense to not do anything to this bike without the proper knowledge behind it...Thanks again this board is alot of help

 

Manual came in the mail yesterday

Front fork oil:
wet: 5 oz
dry: 6 oz

 

Heck, that looks backwards.

 

It is Dry is 6 oz
Wet is 5oz