Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Difference between primary and engine for lube

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 7, 2013 | 10:00 PM
  #1  
Cmonks91's Avatar
Cmonks91
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
Default Difference between primary and engine for lube

Ive read a lot on what oil to use for which, a lot of guys are using the same for all 3 holes, some guys buy 3 different.. My question is what is the difference in your engine oil and primary oil. What kind of oils should they be?

Im running redline shockproof in my trans and most likely mobil 1 v-twin 20 50 but im not certain on what i should put in the primary. What is the "primary" exactly? Just my cluch ?

Thanks guys
 
Reply
Old May 7, 2013 | 10:19 PM
  #2  
Midgard's Avatar
Midgard
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 0
From: BC
Default

Originally Posted by Cmonks91
what oil to use for which, a lot of guys are using the same for all 3 holes, some guys buy 3 different..

where we could go with this lol
 
Reply
Old May 7, 2013 | 10:39 PM
  #3  
Cmonks91's Avatar
Cmonks91
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
Default

Thanks for your detailed reply
 
Reply
Old May 7, 2013 | 10:40 PM
  #4  
Midgard's Avatar
Midgard
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 0
From: BC
Default

Originally Posted by Cmonks91
Thanks for your detailed reply

You are very welcome!

ps; try the search feature
 
Reply
Old May 8, 2013 | 04:08 AM
  #5  
goats's Avatar
goats
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 523
Likes: 1
From: kingston ontario
Default

lol

oils are widely debated with many different opinions and preferences.

the primary is where you do your clutch adjustment, the big round removable derby cover is the part you remove for this adjustment and also where you pour the oil in after you have drained it. look on the left hand side of the bike.
 

Last edited by goats; May 8, 2013 at 04:10 AM.
Reply
Old May 8, 2013 | 08:46 AM
  #6  
hdgzr's Avatar
hdgzr
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,618
Likes: 5,144
From: Green Country
Default

The owner's manual also answers your question. Anything that meets the recommended specs should be fine. Some use ATF, some use diesel-rated engine oil...and some even use what The Factory recommends; the same for all three holes.
 
Reply
Old May 8, 2013 | 09:11 AM
  #7  
Misbehaven's Avatar
Misbehaven
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,501
Likes: 26
From: Sheboygan,Wi
Default

I have always used the same lube in the engine and primary. A for the gearbox I have always used a heavier gear lube like Redline or Amsoil.
 
Reply
Old May 8, 2013 | 10:08 AM
  #8  
t03cutt3r's Avatar
t03cutt3r
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
From: Northern VA
Default

My flavor choices. The Tranny juice really smoothed out the shifting as many will attest to.

Mobil 1
V-Twin 20W-50 in thecrank

Amsoil
75w-140 Severe Gear in the trans
10W-40 MCF in the primary
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 8, 2013 | 12:20 PM
  #9  
2006FLST's Avatar
2006FLST
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 8
From: Powder Springs, GA
Default

When I used fluid in my primary it was mobil 1.
 
Reply
Old May 8, 2013 | 02:22 PM
  #10  
TheTroupe's Avatar
TheTroupe
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
Default

All Mobil 1
V-Twin 20W-50 in the crank
75w-90 Gear Oil in the trans
(I live in New England, you may want a thicker oil where you live)
Racing 4T 10W-40 MCF in the primary


There is a reason for three holes and an oil for each hole. That is not to say you can't put the same oil in each, many people do, I just don't agree with them.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:20 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE