I'm sure I will get flamed for this.
No, don't have a service manual yet.
Yes, I know I should have one, and it's on my list.
Ok, 2008 Heritage Softail Classic:
I assume that the large allen head in the upper, center of my photo is the tranny dipstick.
My question is: how in the heck are supposed to get a wrench on that?! Do I need a special tool?
Arrgh...

 

Any allen will work, you only get 1/8-1/4 turn but it is finger tight after breaking it loose. has an o ring on it. Ive use allen or a socket and extension.

Check it on jiffy stand, dont screw the dip stick (plug) in just rest on threads and check

 

On my bike that plug is a PITA to remove, but if you've got a grinder? (No not for your bike) Find the Allen that fits, use the right one, no slop, don't want to round the head. Due to the fitment, can't get a ratchet in there so I ground down the Allen until it slides in and acts like an extension, then I use a regular wrench that fits the Allen and use that to turn it loose or tighten it back in.

 

On the Allen, I went up to the auto parts store and bought me one that's the right size. Brought it home and ground it down so that it will easily fit the dipstick. I also made "handle" end shorter to get more rotation. Problem solved. On the level, if the tranny is not leaking, just put a quart in and forget about it until the next fluid change. The drain is inbetween the two rear shocks..

 

Thank you for the responses!
I just can't believe the poor engineering that was behind this design.

 

A ball allen fits in there nicely with no grief.

 

I will pick one up today!

 

It`s has nothing to do with poor engineering, there is only so much room for a dipstick to fit in a small transmission like this...
It`s a motorcycle, not everything is easy to get at or work on.

 

Not picking on you (yes I am) If you cant finger out how to get the dip stick out maybe you should only go to a shop before you F------- something up.

 

Responses such as take it to a mechanic show up here all the time, why bother having a forum if this is the type answer you will get?

Not every one knows it all, although there is no shortage of know it all`s...

The guy didn`t go hacking around with who knows what tools that could bugger up the allen feature on the dipstick, he first asked the question how.

That is how you work on mechanical things, if you don`t know, ask.