primary fluid check?
primary fluid check?
stupid question but i wanna check the fluid in my primary on my 05 883 sportster if i remove the inspection plate while someones holding the bike striaght up were should the fluid level be?
Novice
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
Paraphrasing the manual:
- Ride for 10 minutes and shift through all gears
- Park upright and let oil settle to case (not on stand)
- Remove inspection cover (Be Careful, heard screws are easy to strip)
- Oil level should be even with the bottom of the clutch diaphragm spring
- If oil is low, add but don't overfill
Make sure primary ring is seated in groove of primary cover. Tighten primary retaining screws to 84-108 IN-LB using a crosswise pattern.
Hope this helps!
SR
- Ride for 10 minutes and shift through all gears
- Park upright and let oil settle to case (not on stand)
- Remove inspection cover (Be Careful, heard screws are easy to strip)
- Oil level should be even with the bottom of the clutch diaphragm spring
- If oil is low, add but don't overfill
Make sure primary ring is seated in groove of primary cover. Tighten primary retaining screws to 84-108 IN-LB using a crosswise pattern.
Hope this helps!
SR
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
Likes: 394
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
It's a whole lot easier to just change it thru the chain inspection cover than to remove the primary to check it.
Drain it, add the correct amount thru the inspection cover and you know you have the correct amount of nice fresh fluid, then don't worry about the level again till you change it next time, if it's not leaking the level is fine.
Drain it, add the correct amount thru the inspection cover and you know you have the correct amount of nice fresh fluid, then don't worry about the level again till you change it next time, if it's not leaking the level is fine.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
I just read a thread on this somewhere. The OP suggested using a popsicle stick(Haggen Daz) if I remember correctly. In a nut shell-- drain, refill through chain inspection cover, insert said stick through inspection cover and mark both the top and the fluid level. When you want to check it, just insert said stick again and check your marks.
I heard of a similar method using a DOVE bar stick, but I'm not sure the process is the same or if it is as accurate as the Haggen Daz stick. lol
I heard of a similar method using a DOVE bar stick, but I'm not sure the process is the same or if it is as accurate as the Haggen Daz stick. lol
Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 606
Likes: 2
Yes, a dumb idea.
Just drain the old fluid out, refill with a quart of whatever you want to use
(bel ray, the Harley stuff, 75w90, etc.)
I have changed the lube 2 times trying different lube types, the oil does not get burnt up, and if its not leaking on the ground, there is no place for it to go, it does not get used up....
I have not removed the clutch cover, only the chain inspection cover, and the chain needed adjustment quite early, but seems to be stable since.
I have reused the gasket and have no leaks, had the cover off at least 5 times...
The first change (1000 miles), there was some fuzz on the drain plug magnet, none after that.
If you put a quart in, after 5000 miles, you will get a quart out, unless you have puddles of oil under the bike...
Brett
Just drain the old fluid out, refill with a quart of whatever you want to use
(bel ray, the Harley stuff, 75w90, etc.)
I have changed the lube 2 times trying different lube types, the oil does not get burnt up, and if its not leaking on the ground, there is no place for it to go, it does not get used up....
I have not removed the clutch cover, only the chain inspection cover, and the chain needed adjustment quite early, but seems to be stable since.
I have reused the gasket and have no leaks, had the cover off at least 5 times...
The first change (1000 miles), there was some fuzz on the drain plug magnet, none after that.
If you put a quart in, after 5000 miles, you will get a quart out, unless you have puddles of oil under the bike...
Brett
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 9
From: Streetsboro, Oh
It's a whole lot easier to just change it thru the chain inspection cover than to remove the primary to check it.
Drain it, add the correct amount thru the inspection cover and you know you have the correct amount of nice fresh fluid, then don't worry about the level again till you change it next time, if it's not leaking the level is fine.
Drain it, add the correct amount thru the inspection cover and you know you have the correct amount of nice fresh fluid, then don't worry about the level again till you change it next time, if it's not leaking the level is fine.
I agree 100% and that is what I do unless i'm doing a clutch adjustment. It's qucik and easy. The Primary takes 1 qt of Formula Plus. make sure to get new drain plug O-ring and wipe the tip of the drain plug off before putting it back in. Or you can do it the way the book says. If you are going to remove the derby cover you might as well adjust the clutch while in there and change the fuild at the same time.
I see a lil bit of oil coming out of the shifter shaft ,so i can just take the bolt outta the bottom of the primary cover and drain it and refill it with just 1 quart threw the insepection hole?
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 723
Likes: 2
From: Nc
That would be the easiest way. Sounds like you need a new shifter shaft seal.
Last edited by turn8a; Sep 3, 2010 at 02:48 PM.
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