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derby fluid loss

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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 07:22 PM
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Default derby fluid loss

Just pulled the derby cover off my 2013 883 and a ton of fluid drained out? Me being new to the harley davidson world is this normal? id say about 3/4 of a quart of fluid came out on to the floor. Should i replace this fluid?


thanks!
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 07:29 PM
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Yes, you should replace it. If you're going to take the derby cover off, you need to let the bike cool and tilt it opposite the side the jiffy stand is on. Having someone hold it or leaning it against/securing it with something is the easy way to accomplish this.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...rby-cover.html
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 07:40 PM
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That thread suggest that if fluid comes out then it was too full? my bike has 100 miles and this is the first time the cover has been off. The bike was leaned twords the cover when I unbolted it. I dare not try starting it
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 07:49 PM
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If the bike is upright (vertical), no fluid should drain. If you took it off while on the jiffy stand, then you lost some primary/transmission fluid and will need to replace it.

You really should get a service manual before you start messing with the bike. Why were you getting under the derby cover at only 100 miles?
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 07:54 PM
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i was switching it out with a "fancy" new derby cover.
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 08:05 PM
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ok just looked at the owners manual and to replace said fluid i havta remove the derby cover again and then add?


sorry for being such a noob
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by brummet24
ok just looked at the owners manual and to replace said fluid i havta remove the derby cover again and then add?


sorry for being such a noob

your primary/tranny takes exactly 1 qt of fluid. If you drain out all the fluid using the drain plug underneath the tranny you can add exactly 1 qt through the primary chain inspection cover (the small silver cover that is directly forward of your derby cover and is held on by 2 screws). You do not need to remove the derby cover again as long as you have removed all the old fluid and put 1 qt back in. If you do this make sure the o ring on the drain plug is in good condition (if it is not replace it), and use a high temp automotive thread sealant on the threads.
 

Last edited by Mich; Oct 15, 2012 at 09:01 PM.
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 09:01 PM
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Also bring the bike up to temp before draining it. This will get more of it out of there at a quicker rate.
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 09:10 PM
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Awesome! thank you all so much for the help!
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 09:29 PM
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LOL that's the best part of the forum, The knowledge everyone has here. I've learned a lot from these pages.
 
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