Transmission fluid question
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 155
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque
Transmission fluid question
Are the HD fluids (tranny, motor, brake) better or required, Or can I use any rated fluids for each? What is everyone else using?
I check my motor oil everyother time I fill up with gas. How often should I be checking the other fluids?
I check my motor oil everyother time I fill up with gas. How often should I be checking the other fluids?
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 155
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque
Don't know if it makes a difference, but I'm riding a '11 Ultra Limited 103/ABS
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: California
A new or older engine will use oil differently than one that is seated. You need to check it based on the age and condition of your bike. The tranny and engine are easy to do. The primary is suppose to have a new gasket whenever you open it up. That means a $7 or $8 part each time you check it. Once you check your oils for a while you should become familiar with how your engine uses the oils. If any. As you maintain your bike you will become familiar with it's needs as they change with age. (NO comments related to relationships here gentlemen. Ladies either.)
All fluids should be checked in accordance with the owner's manual. A service manual is handy if you like to do these things yourself. I have found mine has paid for itself many times over.
Of course HD would like to have you ride in and pay them for each and every little item done to your bike... beyond filling it with gas. And purchase their products to do so. I suppose some people might do that with everything they own. However, it is my understanding that thanks to Magnuson-Moss there are things related to warranties that we can do. And limitations to what a manufacturer can require.
It is my understanding that as long as we use products that meet a manufacturer's requirements, when they are required as per the manufacturer's schedule, we can do the work ourselves or have other independant companies do the work and use products we choose.
Personally, I use AMSOIL in my machines.
All fluids should be checked in accordance with the owner's manual. A service manual is handy if you like to do these things yourself. I have found mine has paid for itself many times over.
Of course HD would like to have you ride in and pay them for each and every little item done to your bike... beyond filling it with gas. And purchase their products to do so. I suppose some people might do that with everything they own. However, it is my understanding that thanks to Magnuson-Moss there are things related to warranties that we can do. And limitations to what a manufacturer can require.
It is my understanding that as long as we use products that meet a manufacturer's requirements, when they are required as per the manufacturer's schedule, we can do the work ourselves or have other independant companies do the work and use products we choose.
Personally, I use AMSOIL in my machines.
Last edited by Matt0987; Jul 3, 2012 at 05:42 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 739
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis
The HD fluids are neither better or required. (just overpriced) There are better substitutes that work considerably better. You'll get numerous opinions on what is best or better, and all of them have their pros and cons. Synthetics are pretty much a given for the crankcase and tranny. Usually a quality dino oil in the primary will suffice. (nothing marked Energy Conserving as they contain additives that are not compatable with the wet clutch) Most run Amsoil, Mobil 1 or other higher end synthetics in the crankcase, synthetic gear oil in the tranny and a good dino motor oil in the Primary (Rotella T 15w40 is popular because of it's superior additive package for Diesel engines)
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Redline Shockproof for the tranny.
Amsoil 20w-50 for the crank and primary.
But that's just me.
I rarely check the tranny or the primary level. Use the digital stick to check the oil level most of the time.
Amsoil 20w-50 for the crank and primary.
But that's just me.
I rarely check the tranny or the primary level. Use the digital stick to check the oil level most of the time.
K. As far as oil goes ANY 20w-50 oil is fine. Don't buy in to the bullcrap overpriced v-twin oils. They were created for shared sump bikes,not Harleys.
As far as your primary goes you don't need any overpriced synthetic oil. I use rotella t 15w-40 conventional. You can use any fluid that has the JASO spec on the back of the bottle.
I use red line shockproof heavy gear oil in the tranny. Gear oil is made for an application just like the Harley tranny. I've also had good results with royal purple max gear.
Don't buy into the synthetic hype. I've spent countless hours researching the subject and if you are going to change the oil at 3000 miles or earlier a synthetic is a waste of money. And synthetic isn't more slick or slippery,it's oil,period.
If you are going to use a conventional oil then a safe oil change interval is every 3000 miles. If your going to run a synthetic then a 5000 mile interval is adequate.
Your bike won't know the difference. Just pick an oil with the coolest picture on it and use it.
I've used every oil out there. In my experience mobil 1 made my top end unbearably loud and noisy. Amsoil,royal purple,motul and red line all made my top end quiet. Pennzoil was the best bang for the buck( as per the info I learned thru used oil analysis on my bike). Castrol and valvoline conventionals also are a good value.
Just change the fluids at proper intervals and call er a day. The bike can't tell the difference.
Keep it in the wind
As far as your primary goes you don't need any overpriced synthetic oil. I use rotella t 15w-40 conventional. You can use any fluid that has the JASO spec on the back of the bottle.
I use red line shockproof heavy gear oil in the tranny. Gear oil is made for an application just like the Harley tranny. I've also had good results with royal purple max gear.
Don't buy into the synthetic hype. I've spent countless hours researching the subject and if you are going to change the oil at 3000 miles or earlier a synthetic is a waste of money. And synthetic isn't more slick or slippery,it's oil,period.
If you are going to use a conventional oil then a safe oil change interval is every 3000 miles. If your going to run a synthetic then a 5000 mile interval is adequate.
Your bike won't know the difference. Just pick an oil with the coolest picture on it and use it.
I've used every oil out there. In my experience mobil 1 made my top end unbearably loud and noisy. Amsoil,royal purple,motul and red line all made my top end quiet. Pennzoil was the best bang for the buck( as per the info I learned thru used oil analysis on my bike). Castrol and valvoline conventionals also are a good value.
Just change the fluids at proper intervals and call er a day. The bike can't tell the difference.
Keep it in the wind
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
