Dumb oil changing question...
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Myself, and many other members here with a lot more knowledge about the molecular structure of oils run Mobil-1 gear oil 75w90 in the tranny. One quart. Just pull the primary chain inspection cover and pour in the oil. No need to remove the derby cover.
You can use any regular synthetic motor oil. I just think it makes since to run motor oil in the motor, and gear oil in the tranny. That is also HD's current recommendation.
You can use any regular synthetic motor oil. I just think it makes since to run motor oil in the motor, and gear oil in the tranny. That is also HD's current recommendation.
This is exactly what I was questioning: I took the sporty in for 15k service and they used the synthetic oil in both the engine AND the primary at the dealership. Their reasoning was...only using one type of fluid.
So when I change the primary this next time, should I switch back to gear oil or continue to use 20W50 synthetic - or does it even matter?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
Take some gear oil with you. They will put HD syn motor oil in there if you don't.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Well this is nice to know...
I think I will be doing my own services now anyways and will be using a good mobil 1 synthetic.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Vernon Hills, IL
Well, got service schedule next Tuesday, do you think they'd give me greif for bringing in my own fluids?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
They might. Just depends on the dealer. If they do, tell them to kiss your ***. It's your bike. And at this point, you have given them enough information that they wont honor any warranty issues involved with that part of the bike.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
I have my 883c for about 2 weeks now, I was told by several harley riders (The really big bikes) that the drain plug was for the engine oil, but fortunately I wanted to be sure myself so I looked here in this forum and found the plastic plug with the hose clamp snapped under the frame. I drained the oil and changed the filter with no problems, now I still have to get some tranny gear oil, is synthetic or regular 75w90 best? I really don't want to pull the primary cover because of the troublesome gasket, so will it be safe to drain all the fluid, and just put a quart back in the inspection cover?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
I was wondering Brainfrz, how many times did you change the oil, and if more than once did oil drain from the primary the second time?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 1
From: New Brunswick, C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Been there, done that. But I realized my mistake when I saw the clear oil coming out, like only 1 quart, and the oil in the resevoir hadn't dropped a bit. Running without oil and it still runs....tough bike, I saw a commercial a long time ago that did just that-drained the oil and ran the engine. It actually worked but I wouldn't want to try it. Let us know what the dealer inspection says. GOOD LUCK!
