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

Gear Oil

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 23, 2008 | 10:04 AM
  #1  
nolafishr's Avatar
nolafishr
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Default Gear Oil

I am getting a 2001 Sportster 1200 with 3000 miles and want to change the gear oil in it, I am aware of how to change the engine oil and filter. I need some info on this, I would like to find out where the fill and drain plugs are for the gear case and how much oil it holds. What is the recommended oil? I read to use 75/90 gear oil. Can someone help out with this and possibly have some pics on this? I will get me a manual once I have the bike.
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2008 | 10:55 AM
  #2  
NYSportster's Avatar
NYSportster
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Default RE: Gear Oil

Not sure if it's the same for a 2001, but on my '06 there's a drain plug on the bottom of the engine. Dump out all the oil. Open the primary inspection cover, put in a quart of Mobil 75/90. Anyway, that's what I've been doing.
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2008 | 11:26 AM
  #3  
nolafishr's Avatar
nolafishr
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Default RE: Gear Oil

Thanks for the Info, I will pick me up a owners manual and look it up more, I am getting the Bike used but in like new shape, I like to change the oil out as I don't know what is in there or when the last time it was changed. I am not sure what Harley calls for on the service intervals but will have to find all of this out. I like to know that the oil change is done and what is in there and like to do most of my own maintenance as much as possible.
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2008 | 11:32 AM
  #4  
Terp84Alum's Avatar
Terp84Alum
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 763
Likes: 1
From: Middletown, MD USA
Default RE: Gear Oil

I have an 02 and the drain plug is direcly below the clutch inspection cover. As posted above, drain your oil and remove the cover to refill. You may want to pick up a new o ring for the cover.
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2008 | 01:08 PM
  #5  
jag1886's Avatar
jag1886
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,122
Likes: 44
From: Boise Idaho
Default RE: Gear Oil

The drain plug is on the bottom of the primary straight below the derby cover it's 5/8's wrench size. Just pull the plug to drain, you need to remove the derby cover to refill the primary/transmission you don't need a new o-ring I've had Sportsters foryears and never needed a new o-ring, you do need a quart of either HarleySport Trans(worst choice), Harley 20-50 Syn (better choice), or if you want something good in there put in some Amsoil 20-50 motorcycle oil.
Do not just dump in a quart it doesn't hold a quart it holds 28oz's at best when you put to much in your year bike it makes it shift hard and it a real bitch trying to fine neutral.
Do not put 75-90 in youryear that's for 04 and newer bikes.
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2008 | 01:25 PM
  #6  
Mykey's Avatar
Mykey
Novice
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default RE: Gear Oil

This is what I do.Ride for about 20 or 30 min.Take out the drain plug.Pour the gear oil into a quart plastic oil bottle that has the markings in ozs 4,8,12,16 etc.Then put the same amount back into the bike.It should be about 24 to 26 ozs.It's never overfilled or underfilled.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LivingTheDream007
Oil Archive (no new posts)
5
Aug 12, 2013 10:02 AM
londonking
Oil Archive (no new posts)
6
Jul 9, 2009 09:47 PM
tperk100
Oil Archive (no new posts)
3
Mar 13, 2008 05:25 PM
yar
Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
15
Oct 24, 2007 05:49 PM
bigdog75x
Sportster Models
4
Mar 30, 2006 02:22 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:28 PM.

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