Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Fluid capacity help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 7, 2017 | 06:41 AM
  #1  
Hammerhead Pat's Avatar
Hammerhead Pat
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,590
Likes: 1,151
From: Brandon,Fl
Default Fluid capacity help

Kid at work has an 03 1200 and doesn't have a clue about it. I told him I would change his fluids and go over the bike for him. Can someone help me out with the capacities? Thx from the Touring section...
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2017 | 07:56 AM
  #2  
hexnut's Avatar
hexnut
Banned
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 226
From: middle Tennessee
Default

Trans and primary takes 1 quart. Engine takes 2.8 quarts. Put two quarts in the oil tank then start it for a minute then add oil till its half way on the dip stick. And if you have never done this get a manual.
 

Last edited by hexnut; Jan 7, 2017 at 08:04 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2017 | 08:48 AM
  #3  
Hammerhead Pat's Avatar
Hammerhead Pat
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,590
Likes: 1,151
From: Brandon,Fl
Default

Thx for response! As I stated, it's not my bike so I don't have a manual for it, that's why I was asking..
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2017 | 10:19 AM
  #4  
John Harper's Avatar
John Harper
HDF Community Team
10 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,598
Likes: 4,029
From: San Diego, CA
Community Team
Default

The transmission/primary drains from a hex plug on the bottom of the primary case, near the back of the engine. The nut and screw underneath and near the front of engine case is your primary chain tension adjuster, DO NOT mess with it! Refill through the small inspection cover on the upper outer side of primary.

There is a drain hose/plug from the oil tank, look under the bike. That's how you drain the oil, then remove filter. The engine is dry sump lubrication, little oil remains in the case, it's in the tank or in the filter. Be sure to ride the bike about 20 minutes so any oil that might have drained into the engine (through oil pump tolerances) during inactivity has chance to be pumped out and back to tank. Change oil when engine warm, obviously.

Good luck.

John
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2017 | 11:11 AM
  #5  
Hammerhead Pat's Avatar
Hammerhead Pat
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,590
Likes: 1,151
From: Brandon,Fl
Default

Originally Posted by John Harper
The transmission/primary drains from a hex plug on the bottom of the primary case, near the back of the engine. The nut and screw underneath and near the front of engine case is your primary chain tension adjuster, DO NOT mess with it! Refill through the small inspection cover on the upper outer side of primary.

There is a drain hose/plug from the oil tank, look under the bike. That's how you drain the oil, then remove filter. The engine is dry sump lubrication, little oil remains in the case, it's in the tank or in the filter. Be sure to ride the bike about 20 minutes so any oil that might have drained into the engine (through oil pump tolerances) during inactivity has chance to be pumped out and back to tank. Change oil when engine warm, obviously.

Good luck.

John
Thanks for the refresher, I used to have a sporty so it won't be a new experience for me. My 05 didn't have the small inspection cover so I had to pull the inspection cover.
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2017 | 02:13 PM
  #6  
sawka's Avatar
sawka
Tourer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 359
Likes: 56
From: Dallas
Default

I realize it isnt your bike so I recommend you pass this info on. Especially if he has no idea about the bike. Tell him to get a manual, they arent expensive off ebay especially for a bike that age. He will get a better idea how to work on the bike and by reading it he will soon be comfortable working on it. (Id watch him try everything the first time as my Dad did for me.) And I dont mean the owners manual, the shop manual is the one he wants. For this change itself I think you above info should get you where you need to be.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
lagunatic
Ironhead
4
Aug 23, 2009 02:41 PM
grdiperna
Oil Archive (no new posts)
3
May 29, 2009 09:19 PM
rustyironhead
Ironhead
5
Mar 6, 2008 06:57 AM
texfatboy
Softail Models
20
Apr 3, 2007 02:49 AM
ZX2BY2U
Sportster Models
4
Sep 1, 2005 08:16 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:28 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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