Drained wrong primary plug. Now what?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 668
From: Rolla
I wish someone would ban that ignorant *** photo, it has been posted so many times and only one thing on it is correct, the transmission drain plug location. That pic is not only worthless, its dangerous and damage causing.
If you pulled the one that says "primary 1 of 2" then you opened the engine sump plug. You probably need a pint or so of engine oil put back in the engine oil fill. Start it and run it till warm, shut off then immediately check the level to determine how much you need.
Transmission drain is right about where that photo shows but will be accessed through an opening in the frame crossmember or just in front of it (like the pic). The actual primary drain is on the left side, under the large derby cover on the primary. The engine drain plug is the one marked "(mag plug)" in the pic.
Engine, trans and primary drain plugs will ALL be the same with a 5/8" hex and an allen wrench hole in the center. If any plug you want to remove under the bike does not have the hex AND the allen hole in the center, its the wrong one.
If you pulled the one that says "primary 1 of 2" then you opened the engine sump plug. You probably need a pint or so of engine oil put back in the engine oil fill. Start it and run it till warm, shut off then immediately check the level to determine how much you need.
Transmission drain is right about where that photo shows but will be accessed through an opening in the frame crossmember or just in front of it (like the pic). The actual primary drain is on the left side, under the large derby cover on the primary. The engine drain plug is the one marked "(mag plug)" in the pic.
Engine, trans and primary drain plugs will ALL be the same with a 5/8" hex and an allen wrench hole in the center. If any plug you want to remove under the bike does not have the hex AND the allen hole in the center, its the wrong one.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
Maybe. But since the same problem is all over the various forums already and people generally don't look until after they have undone the wrong plug, I fear not...
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 685
Likes: 348
From: Central Utah
"That pic is not only worthless, it's dangerous..."
It was just a matter of time this confusing pic would bite someone.
And don't pull that plug marked "crank" either.
Get a service manual for your bike too, best money you'll spend on it.
It was just a matter of time this confusing pic would bite someone.
And don't pull that plug marked "crank" either.
Get a service manual for your bike too, best money you'll spend on it.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 822
Likes: 61
From: Northern Kentucky
Trust me that you aren't the only or first one to make this mistake, please don't ask me how I know
I generally purchase a shop or service manual at or before I purchase a bike. I take the manual to Fedex/Kinko's and have them cut the back off and put in a muti-ring system then you can lay open the manual and the pages don't try to close up.
Bill
I generally purchase a shop or service manual at or before I purchase a bike. I take the manual to Fedex/Kinko's and have them cut the back off and put in a muti-ring system then you can lay open the manual and the pages don't try to close up.Bill
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 646
From: Santa Clarita
Trust me that you aren't the only or first one to make this mistake, please don't ask me how I know I generally purchase a shop or service manual at or before I purchase a bike. I take the manual to Fedex/Kinko's and have them cut the back off and put in a muti-ring system then you can lay open the manual and the pages don't try to close up.
Bill
I generally purchase a shop or service manual at or before I purchase a bike. I take the manual to Fedex/Kinko's and have them cut the back off and put in a muti-ring system then you can lay open the manual and the pages don't try to close up.Bill
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
Yes, that works well, or what I've done in the past, is when the spine deteriorates, I pick the pages out, use a three ring hole punch and a three ring binder so it will do the same thing. You can even be super OCE and use plastic page covers and eliminate the oily fingers issue.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
wtf
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