Fluid Change Question
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 80
Likes: 13
From: Southwest Virginia
Fluid Change Question
According to the owners manual, the Primary needs changed at 10,000 miles and the Transmission at 20,000 miles. A friend just bought a used 2007 Heritage Softail. It has 5,000 original miles. Previous owner was an older man who rarely rode but did take well care of the bike. The bike is 11 years old, so my thoughts are that the Transmission and Primary should be changed just due to age. My friend plans to go by the owners manual and wait for the mileage requirements. He says the local Harley dealer advised him to go by miles. This just doesn't sound right to me. Doesn't oil break down over time?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 700
Likes: 312
From: southwest Va.
Both bikes I have now I bought used. Had no reason to question the previous owners statements on maintenance but I changed all oils in both right out the gate. One had 15K + and the other 5K + mileage. I've always been particular on oils in any vehicle
or equipment through the years.
or equipment through the years.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 900
From: Omaha
First off why isn't your friend posting this question?
Tell them to get on the website.
Other than a service manual, this website is the best tool a Harley owner can have.
Now to your question;
A responsible motorcycle rider always knows the complete status of their bike.
The bike needs to be thoroughly inspected for any damage or wear.
Just because it only has 5000 miles on it doesn't mean ****.
Its still an 11 year old mechanical/electrical machine.
The inspection needs to include all cables, electrical connections, tires, all fluids and a general over all physical inspection.
The cables, electrical connections, tires and physical inspection can easily be performed visually, however the fluids can not.
Tell you friend to change all the fluids to include the brake fluid.
Then they will know the complete status of their bike.
IMO; if your friend doesn't change all the fluids then they are not responsible enough to riding on 2 wheels and should sell the bike.
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Tell them to get on the website.
Other than a service manual, this website is the best tool a Harley owner can have.
Now to your question;
A responsible motorcycle rider always knows the complete status of their bike.
The bike needs to be thoroughly inspected for any damage or wear.
Just because it only has 5000 miles on it doesn't mean ****.
Its still an 11 year old mechanical/electrical machine.
The inspection needs to include all cables, electrical connections, tires, all fluids and a general over all physical inspection.
The cables, electrical connections, tires and physical inspection can easily be performed visually, however the fluids can not.
Tell you friend to change all the fluids to include the brake fluid.
Then they will know the complete status of their bike.
IMO; if your friend doesn't change all the fluids then they are not responsible enough to riding on 2 wheels and should sell the bike.
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*
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,075
Likes: 11,096
From: San Diego, CA
Well.... yes and no....
Some of the biggest causes of oil degradation are Oxidation, Moisture, High Heat, Viscosity Loss, and Fuel Dilution.
When a vehicle just sits, it's oil is still exposed to Oxidation (interaction between oxygen molecules and oil molecules) and Moisture (more so than a vehicle driven frequently and brought up to operating temp).
Both Oxidation and Moisture can lead to harmful deposits and sludge.
Most manufacturers will have a mileage AND time limit for oil changes while under warranty. I suspect, some of those limits are manipulated for service marketing purposes, but having a time limit certainly makes sense...
I would be willing to bet, that marketing issues aside, no one has a time limit of 7 years for a fluid change...
Depending on how and where the bike was stored, and the temp swings, your friend could be fine waiting until he reaches the required mileage before changing his primary & trans fluids.....
But why take the chance!?!?!
It's such a minor investment to start with fresh fluids, on a fresh time clock...
especially in the primary which gets dirty quickly.....
FWIW.... I have 3 Harleys. I ride all three, but the mileage they get varies. I change the oil/primary every 5K miles (I use synthetic oil), and the trans every 20K miles..... OR... every 18-24 months...
Except for the bagger, most fluids are changed due to time....
Cheap insurance...
PS- as noted above by Bluraven, the brake fluid, by anybody's standard, is WAY overdue for a flush/replacement...
Some of the biggest causes of oil degradation are Oxidation, Moisture, High Heat, Viscosity Loss, and Fuel Dilution.
When a vehicle just sits, it's oil is still exposed to Oxidation (interaction between oxygen molecules and oil molecules) and Moisture (more so than a vehicle driven frequently and brought up to operating temp).
Both Oxidation and Moisture can lead to harmful deposits and sludge.
Most manufacturers will have a mileage AND time limit for oil changes while under warranty. I suspect, some of those limits are manipulated for service marketing purposes, but having a time limit certainly makes sense...
I would be willing to bet, that marketing issues aside, no one has a time limit of 7 years for a fluid change...
Depending on how and where the bike was stored, and the temp swings, your friend could be fine waiting until he reaches the required mileage before changing his primary & trans fluids.....
But why take the chance!?!?!
It's such a minor investment to start with fresh fluids, on a fresh time clock...
especially in the primary which gets dirty quickly.....
FWIW.... I have 3 Harleys. I ride all three, but the mileage they get varies. I change the oil/primary every 5K miles (I use synthetic oil), and the trans every 20K miles..... OR... every 18-24 months...
Except for the bagger, most fluids are changed due to time....
Cheap insurance...
PS- as noted above by Bluraven, the brake fluid, by anybody's standard, is WAY overdue for a flush/replacement...
Last edited by hattitude; Apr 17, 2018 at 09:09 AM.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 280
Likes: 103
From: Manitoba
For what it costs, just change the damn fluids and be done with it. It will help him get up close and personal with his new ride and give piece of mind.
I wouldnt think twice.
I wouldnt think twice.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 80
Likes: 13
From: Southwest Virginia
First off why isn't your friend posting this question?
Tell them to get on the website.
Other than a service manual, this website is the best tool a Harley owner can have.
Now to your question;
A responsible motorcycle rider always knows the complete status of their bike.
The bike needs to be thoroughly inspected for any damage or wear.
Just because it only has 5000 miles on it doesn't mean ****.
Its still an 11 year old mechanical/electrical machine.
The inspection needs to include all cables, electrical connections, tires, all fluids and a general over all physical inspection.
The cables, electrical connections, tires and physical inspection can easily be performed visually, however the fluids can not.
Tell you friend to change all the fluids to include the brake fluid.
Then they will know the complete status of their bike.
IMO; if your friend doesn't change all the fluids then they are not responsible enough to riding on 2 wheels and should sell the bike.
*
*
*
Tell them to get on the website.
Other than a service manual, this website is the best tool a Harley owner can have.
Now to your question;
A responsible motorcycle rider always knows the complete status of their bike.
The bike needs to be thoroughly inspected for any damage or wear.
Just because it only has 5000 miles on it doesn't mean ****.
Its still an 11 year old mechanical/electrical machine.
The inspection needs to include all cables, electrical connections, tires, all fluids and a general over all physical inspection.
The cables, electrical connections, tires and physical inspection can easily be performed visually, however the fluids can not.
Tell you friend to change all the fluids to include the brake fluid.
Then they will know the complete status of their bike.
IMO; if your friend doesn't change all the fluids then they are not responsible enough to riding on 2 wheels and should sell the bike.
*
*
*
