Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Primary fluid change

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 4, 2015 | 11:50 PM
  #11  
SafetyMan's Avatar
SafetyMan
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,970
Likes: 85
From: San Antone
Default

The torx are T-27, NOT T-25.

If you have the right bit, and are careful, push in hard as you turn to avoid slippage, you should have no problem.

Newer bikes don't need anti-seize, the older ones were ferrous fasteners threaded into aluminum, and did.
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 01:02 AM
  #12  
Sam2010's Avatar
Sam2010
Outstanding HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 217
From: Puyallup Wa.
Default

The funnel that attaches to primary opening works good and use 2 by under kick stand. All good.
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 05:34 AM
  #13  
HD94's Avatar
HD94
Novice
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: North East OK.
Default

Originally Posted by Fishrrman
I use a brick under the jiffy stand to get the bike -almost- upright.
It still leans a few degrees to the left, enough to get the job done.

Additional thoughts:
- DO NOT take out the drain bolt UNTIL you have "broken" EVERY ONE of the 5 bolts that hold the derby cover on. You want to know they will come out before you drain the oil. Otherwise you could end up with an empty primary and no way to get the oil back in!

- I would suggest that you take one of the derby cover bolts to a good hardware store (or Home Depot or Lowe's) and replace them with allen-head bolts. I like the button head ones. Better than TORX, and I'm not the only one who thinks this way.



- Do not, repeat, DO NOT use a torque wrench on ANY of these bolts! Don't even use a full-sized 5/8" wrench on the drain bolt when you put it back in. Instead, use a 1/4" allen head in the little hole on the bolt. Get it "nice and tight" with your hand. Re-check it the next day, just for good measure.

- I just measure out 38 ounces of oil and pour it in. I use a small file card to guide the oil in. Refilling the primary is a slow process, if I try to pour it too quickly it will spill on the floor. Patience is required, just sit there and grin.

- Do not use Loctite on ANY of these bolts, either. See next paragraph.

- Get some Permatex anti-seize and put it on the derby cover bolts before you put them back in. Again, use a small wrench to snug them up. You don't want to strip these. Check 'em again a day or two later.
I prefer torx over the Allen head. If using the correct size bit, it should not strip out. Also,I believe the advice not to torque your screws is bad advice. Screws & bolts are engineered to be torqued to a specific spec. If you go by the HD Service Manual specs,& use a quality torque wrench(preferably certified).I believe,by experience,you won't have any problems. Also, if initially torqued correctly, there is no reason for a re torque unless specified by the manual.

Just my .02
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 05:59 AM
  #14  
TheGrandPoohBah's Avatar
TheGrandPoohBah
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,535
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
Default



I prefer bike level, anti seize on threads, proper torx driver, hand tight NOT OVER TIGHTENED. Insure proper level by diagram above WITH BIKE LEVEL.
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 06:56 AM
  #15  
TcHunter's Avatar
TcHunter
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 23
From: Michigan
Default

I will add, when you put you derby covery back on make sure you fasten in the pattern they suggest in the manual, star pattern.
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 07:14 AM
  #16  
bagga's Avatar
bagga
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 606
From:
Default

2x4 under the kick stand, take the derby cover off, look to see the oil level, drain it, refill to the same level, put things back together and you're done.
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 07:35 AM
  #17  
RG Pilot's Avatar
RG Pilot
Road Warrior
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 320
From: Vancouver, WA
Default

Originally Posted by bagga
2x4 under the kick stand, take the derby cover off, look to see the oil level, drain it, refill to the same level, put things back together and you're done.
That's only if it was filled correctly to begin with. The clutch feel and primary noise is directly associated with that fluid level. Either fill exactly to the specified level by sight or let it completely drain out (get it good and hot first) and add a measured 38 oz of fluid.
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 07:37 AM
  #18  
Vernal's Avatar
Vernal
Club Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,675
Likes: 8,401
From: Utah
Riders Club Member
Default

Originally Posted by HD94
I prefer torx over the Allen head. If using the correct size bit, it should not strip out. Also,I believe the advice not to torque your screws is bad advice. Screws & bolts are engineered to be torqued to a specific spec. If you go by the HD Service Manual specs,& use a quality torque wrench(preferably certified).I believe,by experience,you won't have any problems. Also, if initially torqued correctly, there is no reason for a re torque unless specified by the manual.

Just my .02
Sage advice from HD94
Follow the manual.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 07:52 AM
  #19  
HD94's Avatar
HD94
Novice
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: North East OK.
Default

Originally Posted by tchunter
i will add, when you put you derby covery back on make sure you fasten in the pattern they suggest in the manual, star pattern.

^^^^^^^ + 1
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2015 | 10:27 AM
  #20  
Vernal's Avatar
Vernal
Club Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,675
Likes: 8,401
From: Utah
Riders Club Member
Default

Originally Posted by SafetyMan
The torx are T-27, NOT T-25.



Newer bikes don't need anti-seize, the older ones were ferrous fasteners threaded into aluminum, and did.

Not sure I follow you here, my case is Aluminum and my bolts are steel but i'm still not going to use anti-seize.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:48 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE