basic fluid check question
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,666
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From: TEXAS
basic fluid check question
I am servicing a 2002 heritage for a good friend of mine that has been sick for a long time, he is now recovering and wants to get back on the bike
Ive done a full service and have basic question.
final engine oil check how to: on side stand or level
transmission check, sidestand or level, on edge of threads or screwed in
on the engine oil, I put in 2.5 qts
on transmission I put in 22 Oz
on primary I put in just under 1 qt
Ive done a full service and have basic question.
final engine oil check how to: on side stand or level
transmission check, sidestand or level, on edge of threads or screwed in
on the engine oil, I put in 2.5 qts
on transmission I put in 22 Oz
on primary I put in just under 1 qt
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 486
Likes: 41
From: north jersey
Oil check is with bike level and engine warm. This I am certain of.
Trans fluid is also level and just edge of threads. This I am only fairly certain of. Memory...
You're quantities added sound ok IIRC
Trans fluid is also level and just edge of threads. This I am only fairly certain of. Memory...
You're quantities added sound ok IIRC
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,144
Likes: 11,219
From: San Diego, CA
As mentioned, make sure to run a softail engine for a minute or two before checking the oil.... It is a dry sump oil system. When they sit for awhile, they will sometimes allow oil to leak past the oil pump, and into the sump... it will give a false oil level reading unless you start the engine and allow the scavenging side of the oil pump to clear the sump and pump all the oil back into the oil tank. If you should top off the oil tank, when there is oil in the sump of the engine, it won't be long after you start it that the oil dipstick will pop out and oil will come out the tank like a volcano.... don't ask how I learned this.... 
This is from the cheat sheet I made for my 2003 Heritage... info from the Owner's/Service manuals...
ENGINE OIL: 3.5 QTS. W/ FILTER
This is from the cheat sheet I made for my 2003 Heritage... info from the Owner's/Service manuals...
ENGINE OIL: 3.5 QTS. W/ FILTER
- start w/ 2.5 qts and fill per dipstick
- check w/ vehicle level
- dipstick cap inserted into filler neck
- oil plug, 1/4 hex, 14-21 ft-lb
- start w/ 20 oz and fill per dipstick
- check w/ vehicle level
- dipstick cap resting on threads
- plug on bottom of case between shocks
- plug, 1/4 hex, 14-21 ft-lb
- dipstick cap, 3/8 hex, 25-75 in-lb
- Fill to bottom of clutch basket / level
- drain plug, tighten until it projects .160-.180 in from bottom of case
- inspection cover 84-108 in-lb
- clutch cover 84-108 in-lb
- clutch cover / 27 torx
Last edited by hattitude; Feb 20, 2020 at 11:47 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 655
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From: Coconino County AZ
Don't forget the blinker fluid. Revzilla has a special: https://www.revzilla.com/common-trea...-blinker-fluid
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,144
Likes: 11,219
From: San Diego, CA
That's where I usually end up too....
As far as the cheat sheet.... I have 3 Harleys... subtle differences between the three. I have the cheat sheets mounted inside a cabinet door, where I store fluids and filters.... when doing a service I can glance at the cheat sheet as a reminder, so I don't have to dig through the Service Manuals...
Last edited by hattitude; Feb 21, 2020 at 09:47 AM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2019
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From: Utrecht, Netherlands
Ohhh ****, I've done it wrong all along 
Followed Hayes stupid manual (dont buy this one, also showed me wrong torque sequences in some cases) which says on the sidestand with the stick resting but not pushed down. Always showed on the low side but oil seeping from the rocker boxes! Now it stoped seeping and oil stick are almost on max with bike warm, level and dipstick pushed all the way down. Can overfilling cause leaking rocker boxes? Did I possible damage anything by running it that way?
Followed Hayes stupid manual (dont buy this one, also showed me wrong torque sequences in some cases) which says on the sidestand with the stick resting but not pushed down. Always showed on the low side but oil seeping from the rocker boxes! Now it stoped seeping and oil stick are almost on max with bike warm, level and dipstick pushed all the way down. Can overfilling cause leaking rocker boxes? Did I possible damage anything by running it that way?Last edited by HarleyViking; Feb 23, 2020 at 02:33 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,144
Likes: 11,219
From: San Diego, CA
Ohhh ****, I've done it wrong all along Followed Hayes stupid manual (dont buy this one, also showed me wrong torque sequences in some cases) which says on the sidestand with the stick resting but not pushed down. Always showed on the low side but oil seeping from the rocker boxes! Now it stoped seeping and oil stick are almost on max with bike warm, level and dipstick pushed all the way down. Can overfilling cause leaking rocker boxes? Did I possible damage anything by running it that way?
Followed Hayes stupid manual (dont buy this one, also showed me wrong torque sequences in some cases) which says on the sidestand with the stick resting but not pushed down. Always showed on the low side but oil seeping from the rocker boxes! Now it stoped seeping and oil stick are almost on max with bike warm, level and dipstick pushed all the way down. Can overfilling cause leaking rocker boxes? Did I possible damage anything by running it that way?In my experiences, the rocker gaskets leak or not... I suppose the oil level can affect them, but probably shouldn't....
I doubt you have any internal engine damage, breather seems to be working as designed... but I'm sure you're engine ingested more oil mist through the intake than normal, could have some extra carbon build up on the pistons... I always vent my engines to the air, instead of the intake... just don't think oil mist has any place in the intake... IMHO
As for the manuals, I learned long ago not use a Hayes, Chiltons, or any other non-factory service manuals for any of my vehicles. Especially for my Harleys, I use nothing but factory Service manuals.. I also buy a parts manual and Electronic Diagnostic Manual fo reach year Harley I've owned... they end up being great references, and I never sell them... I never know when I might want to get another shovel head, or EVO... I've amassed a decent library for just a private owner who maintains his own bikes...
Even the Harley Factory manuals will have a mistake or two, or need to be updated from changes in a procedure, like Service Bulletin M1416, dated November 4, 2015, 2008-2016 Harley-Davidson Touring Literature Update. Luckily, if you keep track of the Service Bulletins, you can adjust your old manuals to reflect changes