I have a 2001 Harley Davidson sportster 883. I was having shifting issues, the noticed I had a small leak coming from the tranny area. I read some wrong information and tried to fill my tranny fluid and ended up over filling. Didn't know I overfilled until riding to work and my bike puked fluid which blew all over of course while I was going down the road. What should I do to fix this issue? Simply drain and refill with proper amount? And could I have damaged anything by overfilling and riding? Any help and suggestions is highly appreciated. This is my first Harley ad I've only owner it 2 days and now this...

 

I checked my transmission while the engine was warm last week, and when it cooled down it was overfilled.

I drained it down to the correct level with a turkey baster. I had to buy some tubing to extend it. IDK if you damaged anything. Hopefully you’ll get some better responses.

 

If all Sportsters are the same don't forget to check the level with the bike upright on flat level ground.

Taken from HD FSM, "Overfilling can cause rough clutch engagement, incomplete disengagement, clutch drag and maybe difficulty in finding neutral at engine idle."

 

I don't know how much you know so I may be saying something obvious to you here.
Your bike has two areas where oil lives...
1) The engine. You fill and check the level at the oil tank on the right side of the bike. (check it when warm)
2) The primary and transmission. You fill and check the fluid level by removing the big round access cover on the primary.

I would drain the primary and start over. First remove the access cover to be sure that you can get it off. Only then remove the drain plug below the cover at the rear of the primary.
With bike upright, fill so that the fluid touches the bottom of the clutch basket. It should only hold about 3/4 of a quart. Do not overfill it. Running it low is better than running it too full. An overfilled primary will cause weird shifting and finding neutral issues. Good luck.

 

A quart is just fine. It's easy to drain the transmission/primary. Look for the drainplug under the big round "derby" cover. You don't need to pull the cover itself. Refill through the small chain inspection hole cover. Add one quart, and don't obsess over checking the level by removing the derby cover. I've got a 1991, which is basically the same as your bike. One quart of primary fluid (I use Bel Ray Sport Trans) and don't quibble over a couple ounces or so.

John