I took my bike into my dealer at 7,000 miles for a tire change. Service manager told me I needed new rear brakes too. I finally changed them at 21,000 and there was still pad left. No more dealer work for me either.

 

Interesting...

2013 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SOFTAIL FAT BOY – SPECIFICATIONS

DIMENSIONS
Length 94.3 in. (2395 mm)
Overall Width 39 in. (990 mm)
Overall Height 43.1 in. (1095 mm)
Seat Height:
• Laden2 24.25 in. (616 mm)
• Unladen 26.4 in. (670 mm)
Ground Clearance 4.8 in. (122 mm)
Rake (steering head) 31.6°
Fork Angle 31.6°
Trail 5.8 in. (147 mm)
Wheelbase 64.5 in. (1638 mm)
Tires (Dunlop® Harley-Davidson® Series, radial blackwall front and rear):
• Front – D408F 140/75R17 67V
• Rear – D407 200/55R17 78V
Fuel Capacity 5 gal. (18.9 L) (warning light at approximately 1.0 gal.)
Oil Capacity (w/filter) 3.5 qts. (3.3 L)
Transmission Capacity 1 qt. (1 L)
Primary Chain
Case Capacity 1 qt. (.95 L)
Weight:
• As Shipped 690 lbs. (313 kg)
• In Running Order 728 lbs. (330 kg)
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 1160 lbs. (526 kg)
• Gross Axle Weight Rating:
• Front 430 lbs. (195 kg)
• Rear 730 lbs. (331 kg)
ENGINE
Engine Air-cooled, Twin Cam 103BTM
Valves Pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters; two valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke 3.875 in. x 4.38 in. (98.4 mm x 111.1 mm)
Displacement 103 cu. in. (1690 cc)
Compression Ratio 9.6:1
Fuel System3 Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Air Cleaner Paper, washable
Lubrication System Pressurized, dry-sump

 

On page 106 of the 2013 Softail Models owners manual (bottom section) it reads.........
"Fill the transmission with 28 oz (0.83L) of recommended Harley-Davidson
lubricant. Refer to Table 27".

 

Thanks for all your comments. The bottom line is that my oil level is now at the recommended level and second is to check your bike after service (like many of you have said) to make sure all is well.

 

Transmissions have been taking 1qt, 32oz since at least 84.....

What changed in '13 to make them drop 4oz or did they typo a bunch of owners manuals?

 

My 06 softail (5 speed) manual calls for 20-24 oz's. I just did mine thinking it was 32. Looked overfilled. I checked the manual and learned that it was. My 09 Heritage takes 32 oz.

 

I gotta say that my dealer is very good at servicing my King. Ain't cheap.
This is not an advertisement for them...Herritage HD.
I've known the owner since she was a kid.

 

You're absolutely correct and thank you for pointing this out, as it's apparently changed for most, if not all Softails for 2013. While the max capacity has remained unchanged at 32 ounces, they have changed the fill amount to 28 ounces as you point out, and also changed how the dipstick is placed for proper indication of fluid level. For my model year (2011) the dipstick is screwed in until the o-ring makes contact. For the 2013 models, the dipstick is inserted just to the point where it rests on the lip of the opening, which would account for the overfill situation you mentioned. Thanks a bunch!

 

You are 100% correct in that there are both good and bad mechanics at both dealerships and indies. The thing is that the good mechanic at the dealerships is that their hands are tied by the person who owns the dealership and their unGodly prices. Some dealerships motto may be no matter what the customer is right. Then there are those who's motto is F*#@ the customer at every chance they get. The main thing for me is when I get poor work done at a dealership and go back it's everyone's fault but theirs and they want to screw you a little more. It's like pulling teeth to get something fixed right once they screwed it up. Dealerships are also notorious for trying to sell you something that you really don't need. My indy guy? Great guy, tells you like it is, fixes only what needs fixing and he does it right the 1st time for a fee that blows most dealerships out of the water. I also know if there was ever a problem with something he worked on or fixed and it wasn't right? No questions asked, bring it back at NO ADDITIONAL FEE'S!!!! I now have friends or people I met on here that now goes to my indy guy, some up to 100 miles away passing many dealerships and other indies to get to this shop. They also come back so that alone speaks volumes as to why and or why not. It's not a personal attack to any 1 mechanic at any 1 given dealership or shop. It's just straight answers, great work and at a fair price that drives my decisions as to why and where I take my bike. In nearly 40 years and all over this country have I ever found a dealership that I have NOT had problems with. That also speaks volumes too.

 

It also states that to check level you screw the dipstick until the o-ring set but not to tighten it.