primary oil
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 340
Likes: 26
From: New Jersey
Alright..I called Harley Davidson Motors in Milwaukee.. I have now been Corrected...Engine oil is just that..for the engine....The primary lubricates the primary the clutch and the transmission...I am waiting for them to send me proof..if that ever happens..John you are right..even after 29 years...lol. But I did ask the same exact question that I asked the 2 service centers which was..." Does the engine oil lubricate only the engine or does it also lubricate the transmission..not including the primary and clutch.." Pretty simple question..2 answers...Milwaukee was the only one that said that the engine oil only lubricates the engine, the other 2 service centers said it also lubricates the transmission but not the primary and clutch !!! Go figure .
The clutch inspection cover is located on the primary side of the case. The transmission is on the other side of that case. So, given all that, I infer that the engine doesn't share oil with the transmission.
I know,
, but I certainly feel better now! 
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,609
Likes: 694
From: over the mountain
You are right. I turned 75 back in July.. I ride as much as I can and will till I cant ride any more. Actually I got my first 2 wheels in 1958. It was a 1955 Vespa scooter,. I rode that scooter hard for 2 years then got the Harley. You didn't need a license if it was under 5 HP. The Vespa qualified. I ride the heck out of my hot rod Sportster. I still work on it as well. I did all the Hammer build on it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 1,202
From: river
You are right. I turned 75 back in July.. I ride as much as I can and will till I cant ride any more. Actually I got my first 2 wheels in 1958. It was a 1955 Vespa scooter,. I rode that scooter hard for 2 years then got the Harley. You didn't need a license if it was under 5 HP. The Vespa qualified. I ride the heck out of my hot rod Sportster. I still work on it as well. I did all the Hammer build on it.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 270
Likes: 64
From: Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines
You are right. I turned 75 back in July.. I ride as much as I can and will till I cant ride any more. Actually I got my first 2 wheels in 1958. It was a 1955 Vespa scooter,. I rode that scooter hard for 2 years then got the Harley. You didn't need a license if it was under 5 HP. The Vespa qualified. I ride the heck out of my hot rod Sportster. I still work on it as well. I did all the Hammer build on it.
Good bunch here. Really enjoying the Sportster side after a little while in the softail side...
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 592
From: Philly PA
Having taken the engine from my 2006 Sportster apart I can confirm there are openings in the bottom of the primary to allow the primary fluid to flow into the transmission.
I can try to take photos tonight of my case (if I remember)
Having said that, I am amazed the dealerships were so wrong on that.
I can try to take photos tonight of my case (if I remember)
Having said that, I am amazed the dealerships were so wrong on that.
Last edited by cacomly; Sep 26, 2019 at 08:01 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,255
Likes: 4,947
From: England
Thanks Chris. With the help of others and a look at the FSM I can see I had got it wrong.
It seems I was not the only one with confusion added by Delboy and a couple of dealers.
It seems I was not the only one with confusion added by Delboy and a couple of dealers.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Sep 26, 2019 at 08:02 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 592
From: Philly PA
I revised my post as you were replying and will try to remember to take photos of my cases tonight as they are sitting in a box under my workbench waiting for me to rebuild the engine
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,255
Likes: 4,947
From: England
Midpegs posted a picture with just the primary cover off which prompted my first post here but a picture of a disassembled case would be very useful, thank you.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 270
Likes: 64
From: Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines
Cacomly, Thanks for that first hand info!! I am also very concerned that the info is so widely confused particularly within the HD shops.
It makes the most sense with it as you say, but there are many things within the confines of HD land that don't make sense, so I was almost ready to accept that they had messed up the way it should be.
Thanks!!
It makes the most sense with it as you say, but there are many things within the confines of HD land that don't make sense, so I was almost ready to accept that they had messed up the way it should be.
Thanks!!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,598
Likes: 4,028
From: San Diego, CA
Why don't you ask HD why the Sportster engine is sometimes called a "tractor" motor? I've never been able to figure out that reference.
Calling the oil tank an "oil bag" is an equally bizarre stretch.
John