Primary oil level?
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 578
Likes: 522
From: Durango CO
In this next picture the green line shows where the bottom of the derby opening is. You have to look down into primary case to see the oil level. The red line is where the oil level should be.
It would be nice if there was a better way to check the level. Some cycles have a tiny window to check engine oil. That would be nice for the primary.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
HK, if you warm primary oil and drain it on the side stand and install 1 qt (32 oz) and install primary cover, it will operate fine. No need to look at level. Or you can do the other 5+ versions and have a potential issue.. My 05 was an 88/5spd, 07 an 11's were 96/6spd Any non energy saving multi vis dino motor will perform well. I buy my qt of Rotella T for about $4. Changing primary and trans fluid at 3000 miles is overkill. The manuals do vary between models.
Last edited by checkers; Mar 12, 2017 at 11:26 AM.
Stage I
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: California
On a 2009 Street Glide - Changing the primary fluid, I measured the primary oil OUT, "60 oz." yes 60. I asked the part guy at HD dealer, he said it's possible to have a leak from the Engine seal to the primary. I did not messure the engine oil out, but remember it did seam low. This kind of makes sense. How can you have so much fluid in the primary case? Anyone else experience this issue?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,174
Likes: 1,960
From: Great State of Canada
On a 2009 Street Glide - Changing the primary fluid, I measured the primary oil OUT, "60 oz." yes 60. I asked the part guy at HD dealer, he said it's possible to have a leak from the Engine seal to the primary. I did not messure the engine oil out, but remember it did seam low. This kind of makes sense. How can you have so much fluid in the primary case? Anyone else experience this issue?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
On a 2009 Street Glide - Changing the primary fluid, I measured the primary oil OUT, "60 oz." yes 60. I asked the part guy at HD dealer, he said it's possible to have a leak from the Engine seal to the primary. I did not messure the engine oil out, but remember it did seam low. This kind of makes sense. How can you have so much fluid in the primary case? Anyone else experience this issue?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22,998
Likes: 11,439
Serious issue . As others have said change both. Watch it what is missing from the oil will likely show up in Primary.
One of the things I had a few warn me about with my 07. For what ever reason I never had it happen but know someone that did.
One of the things I had a few warn me about with my 07. For what ever reason I never had it happen but know someone that did.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 372
Likes: 82
From: FL East Coast /Western NC
You asked and I will tell you what I have done on my last 4 TC's, 2005 FLHR, 2007 Ultra, 2011 FLSTC and my 2011 FLHR since 2005 and 108,000 miles: I remove my primary cover first, then drain it. I am on a jack and bike is level. I install 1 qt (32 oz) of Shell Rotella T Dino oil. Done, I don't check it, I have never replaced a compensator little to no metal on drain and no silver color in oil. It has very little clunk into gear and a firm engagement (no slippage) when starting from a stop. I change it once a year late fall.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 1,219
From: Dubuque, IA
Well my genuine FSM for my '13 FLSTC says 32oz wet, 40oz dry. Instructions say fill with specified amount. See table 1-9. Table 1-9 says 32oz wet, 40 oz dry.
To say this has anything to do with compensator issues is absurd.
To say this has anything to do with compensator issues is absurd.