Too much oil in primary?

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Apr 27, 2008 | 08:35 PM

cwickgo9

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Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2007

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From: Texas

Too much oil in primary?

I tried my first maintenance wrenching today, changing the oil in the tranny and primary. I'm reading the manual where it says it takes one quart for the primary. However, after putting a quart in, it did not look as full as it did when I drained it. I measured what came out of it and sure enough, it was closer to 40 oz rather than 32. What's the deal - why would it be so different?
Went with Mobil 1 V-Twin 20-50 in the primary and 75-140 in the tranny.

Apr 27, 2008 | 08:43 PM

CrackOfDawn

Road Captain

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 599

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From: In a van, down by the river.

RE: Too much oil in primary?

I did my first change a week or so ago. Factory had tranny and primary over-filled. Mine shifts much smoother now. Go by the manual and follow the level check procedures and you should be fine.

Funny side note: Jackass at the dealer that sold me the oil says, "four in the crank, one and one in the tranny and primary." Uh, ok. Primary takes about 38. They don't give a ****.

Apr 27, 2008 | 08:54 PM

singlepin

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Joined: Oct 2007

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From:

RE: Too much oil in primary?

Glad I'm not the only one who read it that way.Manual says 38oz in the Primary and 32oz in the Transmission. In both the Primary and Transmission sections; the manual is giving the Part Number for a Quart --not saying to put in a Quart.

Had several guys clear that up for me.

Apr 27, 2008 | 09:01 PM

HDRider#1

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 316

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From: Mission B.C. Canada

RE: Too much oil in primary?

Just did my primary and tranny oil changes today. Primary takes 32oz or .95 liters and thats what my bottle of Amzoil 20/50 said it was...so one bottle into the primary, thenchecked the level...perfect. For the tranny my 02 myFLHTC takes 20-24 oz or .59-.71 liters. That takes a bit more checking as I fill the tranny. As for what was in your bike, I have found many times that dealers overfill.

Apr 27, 2008 | 09:02 PM

cwickgo9

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Joined: Jul 2007

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From: Texas

RE: Too much oil in primary?

The shop manual for my 05 says 32 oz for the primary ("pour 32 ounces of Harley blah, blah, blah" in the primary inspection window...")and 20-24 in the tranny. The tranny was pretty close to the max, but, like I said, the primary took nearly 25% more.

Apr 27, 2008 | 09:22 PM

oldfartjc

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 3,116

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From: Glendale, AZ.

RE: Too much oil in primary?

Your '05 and my '06 have the same primary and the service manual calls for 32oz but I found mine had closer to 37oz in it. I didn't have any problems shifting or finding neutral so I put the same back in. At first I put in 32oz and it didn't look as full so a few day's later I measured what I took out and added the extra 5oz or so. It worked the same either way. I did drain it very throughly with it on the jiffy stand. I think the2007 and 2008 touring models call for 38oz in their primary's so they are different then the previous years.

Apr 27, 2008 | 09:38 PM

Velocity1

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Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 270

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From: Northern MD

RE: Too much oil in primary?

I've run 42-44 ozs. of HD primary lube in my Softail primary since day one. I run a Barnett extra disc carbon fiber clutch and HD-SE clutch pressure plate, custom Baker primary chain tensioner shoe and a 23 comp and 37 tooth clutch basket, Compu-Fire 10/84 starter gear set. Never a problem and quiet as a church mouse... I believe in more oil is better as it lubes better and affords more cooling effect of the components inside the primary, including the seals. I know what the FSMsays, although I took exception to it and have had good results. JMHO....