Checking primary oil level
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: California
Checking primary oil level
I am new to H-D. I have a two week old RKC. I was reading the owner's manual about checking the fluids in the bike.
There is a dip stick for the engine oil. Turn it by hand and remove it. Need a little oil?, put it in, screw on the top.
There is a dip stick for the tranny. Use an allen wrench, turn it and remove it. Need a little oil in the tranny? Put a little in. Use an allen wrench to replace the dip stick.
The primary... Remove the cover??? (The clutch inspection plate.) Buy a new "O" ring. Install the new "O" ring. Replace the cover. Need a little oil? Jamb an oil can into the opening and dump it in.
Why is there not a simple way to check the primary oil and top it off if necessary?
At one point I had a bike that had an inspection window for the engine oil. You simply looked at the window. If you could see the oil, if it lined up with the little red mark in the glass, it was at the correct level.
There is a dip stick for the engine oil. Turn it by hand and remove it. Need a little oil?, put it in, screw on the top.
There is a dip stick for the tranny. Use an allen wrench, turn it and remove it. Need a little oil in the tranny? Put a little in. Use an allen wrench to replace the dip stick.
The primary... Remove the cover??? (The clutch inspection plate.) Buy a new "O" ring. Install the new "O" ring. Replace the cover. Need a little oil? Jamb an oil can into the opening and dump it in.
Why is there not a simple way to check the primary oil and top it off if necessary?
At one point I had a bike that had an inspection window for the engine oil. You simply looked at the window. If you could see the oil, if it lined up with the little red mark in the glass, it was at the correct level.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 2
From: AZ
I had a VSTAR 1100, I hated the inspection window. Laying on the ground and having the bike's kick stand on a block of wood to keep it level.
I do hate the idea of having to replace gaskets just to do a oil level check.
I do hate the idea of having to replace gaskets just to do a oil level check.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,228
Likes: 3,238
From: west Michigan
I'd just change the primary oil and not worry about the level unless there's a leak. This way, you'll know what you've got. I don't usually replace un-damaged O rings but I do keep spares. I can get the 3/8" tip of a funnel into the primary of my '04 next to the clutch in order to add oil without spilling.
Last edited by RK4ME; Jun 12, 2011 at 12:02 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 3
From: NYC
Harley oil servicing is a funny thing. fill it by the book and you have leaks. fill it to the low hot side book level and you have no leaks. ditto on the whole primary refill process. someone is going to come a long with a case mod to drill thru the tranny and primary case and just connect the two chambers. Oil wt is another story. seems like if you put 10w/40w in your primary, it seeps out over time (I lost a pint over a year), but if you go 20W/50W or higher, then you have the rusty compenator inner race problem.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
I have never changed a primary o ring in over 80,000 mi of tourer riding. Dont worry about it.
Primaries arent that sensitive to oil level anyhow, again it aint worth worrying about. Just as long as there is some black stuff in there she will go for a bit longer.
Primaries arent that sensitive to oil level anyhow, again it aint worth worrying about. Just as long as there is some black stuff in there she will go for a bit longer.
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,723
Likes: 233
From: Altoona, Pa.
As said above, no need for a new o ring. Just another statement in the book for a un needed purchase.
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I'd just change the primary oil and not worry about the level unless there's a leak. This way, you'll know what you've got. I don't usually replace un-damaged O rings but I do keep spares. I can get the 3/8" tip of a funnel into the primary of my '04 next to the clutch in order to add oil without spilling.
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