Primary fluid change
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 8
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From: Avondale, Arizona
Primary fluid change
Getting ready to change fluids before long for the first time on my 2015 Ultra Limited. I have noticed that the manual says to have the bike upright when refilling the primary. Wanted to know if I can leave it on the side stand to refill it, since i'll be by myself. Thought I would take the cover off and look at the level before draining and then just refill to the same level. Hopefully 38 oz. Will that work or is there a reason it needs to be "upright"?
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 20
From: Reno
Yes you can
I would suggest, getting it near level with a couple pieces of lumber, but ultimately... It REALLY does t matter in that the lean angle doesn't afford you to pour in the correct quantity without any spilling.
Been there and done that moons ago. Have a jack now but like I said... You Will be fine with a couple pieces of wood to level it a little.
Been there and done that moons ago. Have a jack now but like I said... You Will be fine with a couple pieces of wood to level it a little.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
I've done several of my bike noumerous times on there side and its fine as long as you have a good look in there and check where the levels at with the angle. If you not comftorable with that , sit on it and tip it up vertical and look with a flash light.
Put a 2 x 6 under the kickstand & that will raise it enough for the 38oz. It will also help to get a drip pan under the Primary. Just did my 14 SG this past weekend, no dribbles.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,510
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From: Connecticut
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.
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.
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Avondale, Arizona
After I posted the question, I thought about placing something under the side stand to straighten it up some, as many of you suggested. I do have one of those funnels made to attach to the primary opening, if they work as advertised. I appreciate the replies. Guess I will go with wood under the side stand and being very careful not to tip the bike and not to strip any screws. Thanks again.