checking primary (updated! new question!)
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Outstanding HDF Member
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From: fegfsg
checking primary (updated! new question!)
i want to inspect the primary chain and check my oil level.
i dont have the manual.
this is what my primary looks like
how the hell do i get those two inspection covers off????????
thanks
EDIT
How do i take off my derby cover? I look at the new sportsters and I see screws holding it on, but when i look at mine it seems like its part of the huge primary cover. even where the clutch cable enters, you can see its all the same cover.
does this come off on an '88?
look where the clutch enters, also note where the seam stops, a few mm away from the clutch entry. it seems like one big piece. does it even come off?
i dont have the manual.
this is what my primary looks like
how the hell do i get those two inspection covers off????????
thanks
EDIT
How do i take off my derby cover? I look at the new sportsters and I see screws holding it on, but when i look at mine it seems like its part of the huge primary cover. even where the clutch cable enters, you can see its all the same cover.
does this come off on an '88?
look where the clutch enters, also note where the seam stops, a few mm away from the clutch entry. it seems like one big piece. does it even come off?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: fegfsg
RE: checking primary
thanks, I got some needle nose pliers, put the tips into the long sides of the covers, and twisted and they came right off. filled up with about an ounce of harleys tranny fluid, which i suspected is the amount of that leaked out since the clutch was fixed a few weeks ago. found this out by measuring how much dripped every hour and averaging it the two weeks since i got my bike back, came up to about an ounce
anyway after a test ride it shifts way easier and is queiter.
its already too dark, but my primary chain moves about a half an inch, isnt 1/4 inch spec?
how do I adjust tension on a 88 sportster? ill do it tomorrow during the day.
anyway after a test ride it shifts way easier and is queiter.
its already too dark, but my primary chain moves about a half an inch, isnt 1/4 inch spec?
how do I adjust tension on a 88 sportster? ill do it tomorrow during the day.
RE: checking primary
for a 2002 ...
cold.... 3/8 - 1/2"
hot...... 1/4 - 3/8"
primary adjustment for a 2002 is under left foot peg(mids)...
turn clockwise to reduce play(counter to increase play). if too tight, you'll hear a whistle sound.
also, with primay fluid, fluid should be just below clutch assembly
cold.... 3/8 - 1/2"
hot...... 1/4 - 3/8"
primary adjustment for a 2002 is under left foot peg(mids)...
turn clockwise to reduce play(counter to increase play). if too tight, you'll hear a whistle sound.
also, with primay fluid, fluid should be just below clutch assembly
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: fegfsg
RE: checking primary
ORIGINAL: ride2tires
for a 2002 ...
cold.... 3/8 - 1/2"
hot...... 1/4 - 3/8"
primary adjustment for a 2002 is under left foot peg(mids)...
turn clockwise to reduce play(counter to increase play). if too tight, you'll hear a whistle sound.
also, with primay fluid, fluid should be just below clutch assembly
for a 2002 ...
cold.... 3/8 - 1/2"
hot...... 1/4 - 3/8"
primary adjustment for a 2002 is under left foot peg(mids)...
turn clockwise to reduce play(counter to increase play). if too tight, you'll hear a whistle sound.
also, with primay fluid, fluid should be just below clutch assembly
After a few hours of google searching, I found this thread on XLforum, which I'm now considering registering for, but I dislike being on alot of websites. anyways, here is the thread. http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...ad.php?t=49677
"Chrishajer" on that site says he has an '88 as well, and to fill it up to the correct amount you get the bike vertical, unscrew a small phillips head screw near the front of the primary, (which is actually RIGHT behind the rubber part of the gear shift lever in my photo I uploaded) and pour in your oil, and when it leaks out the hole it's the correct amount. makes filling up alot more easy than checking the level.
anyone else with an 88 or close know this to be true? is that the purpose of that screw?
also, the bolt to adjust primary chain tension. I beleive the one you are talking about is visible slightly in my photo, right between the gear shift lever and where the clutch cable enters the primary. this is it? do I just tighten it?
thanks for your help guys
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 657
Likes: 4
From: Daytona Beach
RE: checking primary
It's good to seesomeone else is still riding an early EVO.I have a '90 XLH1200.Same bike.When I fill mine ,I fill until the fluid starts comming out and then add a little extra.It winds up to be about 3/4+ of a quart.I don't know the exact amount of Oz.'s but this has always worked well for me and is how I was taught.
The adjustment nut is underneath and is not visible in your photo.Just look underneath about halfway between peg and shifter peg ,it's pointing straight down.It's a threaded bolt with nut on it.The bottom of the bolt has an allen head(it just looks like a piece of allthread)Take off your inspection cover(front)and feel tension of chain.Loosen nut slightly and turn allen counter clockwise until you reach proper tension.
Hope this helps
The adjustment nut is underneath and is not visible in your photo.Just look underneath about halfway between peg and shifter peg ,it's pointing straight down.It's a threaded bolt with nut on it.The bottom of the bolt has an allen head(it just looks like a piece of allthread)Take off your inspection cover(front)and feel tension of chain.Loosen nut slightly and turn allen counter clockwise until you reach proper tension.
Hope this helps
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: fegfsg
RE: checking primary
ORIGINAL: FandA M
It's good to seesomeone else is still riding an early EVO.I have a '90 XLH1200.Same bike.When I fill mine ,I fill until the fluid starts comming out and then add a little extra.It winds up to be about 3/4+ of a quart.I don't know the exact amount of Oz.'s but this has always worked well for me and is how I was taught.
The adjustment nut is underneath and is not visible in your photo.Just look underneath about halfway between peg and shifter peg ,it's pointing straight down.It's a threaded bolt with nut on it.The bottom of the bolt has an allen head(it just looks like a piece of allthread)Take off your inspection cover(front)and feel tension of chain.Loosen nut slightly and turn allen counter clockwise until you reach proper tension.
Hope this helps
It's good to seesomeone else is still riding an early EVO.I have a '90 XLH1200.Same bike.When I fill mine ,I fill until the fluid starts comming out and then add a little extra.It winds up to be about 3/4+ of a quart.I don't know the exact amount of Oz.'s but this has always worked well for me and is how I was taught.
The adjustment nut is underneath and is not visible in your photo.Just look underneath about halfway between peg and shifter peg ,it's pointing straight down.It's a threaded bolt with nut on it.The bottom of the bolt has an allen head(it just looks like a piece of allthread)Take off your inspection cover(front)and feel tension of chain.Loosen nut slightly and turn allen counter clockwise until you reach proper tension.
Hope this helps
btw, nice bike
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Road Captain
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From: Daytona Beach
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Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: fegfsg
RE: checking primary
Alright, just did it. Pulled off the inspection cover, checked the tension, it was about 3/4ths inch cold. didnt start bike yet.
i rolled it around in gear and checked different spots in the chain, same all around,
I used the adjuster and made it 1/2 inch tight since the bike was still cold, then tightened the nylock, put the cover on and started the bike. already i could hear that it was quieter, the other day I heard the loud sound of a noisy running chain inside the primary, now its much lower. ill go take it for a ride to warm it up and see how tight it is then. hopefully still in spec.
thanks for the help
i rolled it around in gear and checked different spots in the chain, same all around,
I used the adjuster and made it 1/2 inch tight since the bike was still cold, then tightened the nylock, put the cover on and started the bike. already i could hear that it was quieter, the other day I heard the loud sound of a noisy running chain inside the primary, now its much lower. ill go take it for a ride to warm it up and see how tight it is then. hopefully still in spec.
thanks for the help