Harley Davidson Sportster Primary Oil Change
Вставка
- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- How To Change Primary Oil in a Harley Davidson Sportster 1200!! Subscribe and Share! It truly helps the channel so much! ** goo.gl/Pjnknj **
I followed my Harley Davidson Sportster Service Manual to do my Sportster Primary Oil Change. I suggest you do the same, buuuuut. If you still want to do this, I recommend iFixit.com. Very good pics and instructions. If you prefer to follow me and read instructions, I'll copy/paste here.
**Credit to Brett Hartt on iFixit**
iFixit Article - goo.gl/yYVp8f
Step 1 - Workplace Preparation
For the best access to the transmission drain plug, optimal draining, and accurate re-filling, we recommend working with the bike secured in an upright position.
Step 2 - Removing the Primary Chain Inspection Cover
Using a 5/32 Hex or Allen screwdriver, unscrew the two screws from the primary chain inspection cover.
Remove the primary chain inspection cover from the transmission housing.
Step 3 - Draining the Transmission Oil
The transmission drain plug is located on the underside of the transmission on the left side of the bike, near the kickstand bumper.
Place a drain pan underneath the drain plug.
Using a wrench, unscrew the transmission drain plug and remove it.
Your drain plug may be 5/8" or 3/4" depending on the year.
Allow all the oil to drain out of the transmission. It should take about five minutes.
Step 4 -- While the oil is draining from the transmission, clean the transmission drain plug.
Using a spare rag or paper towel, clean the drain plug, removing excess oil and metal shavings.
There is a magnet on the end of the drain plug to capture any ferrous metal residue.
Step 5 - Removing the the Clutch Inspection Cover
Using a T27 screwdriver bit, remove the four screws holding the clutch inspection cover in place.
Step 6 -- Insert a heavy duty spudger or similar prying tool into the gap between the clutch inspection cover and the transmission housing near where clutch cable enters the housing.
Gently pry the clutch inspection cover away from the transmission housing.
The clutch cover spring may fall out. Be sure to keep track of this and re-install it before replacing the clutch inspection cover.
Step 7 - Installing the Transmission Drain Plug
Re-insert the transmission drain plug into the transmission housing and hand tighten.
Using a 3/4" wrench, tighten down the transmission drain plug.
It is important to not over-tighten the drain plug. Tightening the plug too much can strip the threads on the aluminum housing. The plug should be tight, but not too tight. The correct torque specification is 14 - 21 ft-lbs (168 - 252 in-lbs).
Step 8 - Adding New Oil
Insert the nozzle of a funnel into the primary chain inspection hole.
Pouring slowly, pour approximately 1 qt of oil into the transmission.
As you pour, watch the clutch inspection hole. Make sure that the oil level stays below the edge of the clutch inspection hole.
This may require less than the entire quart of oil.
Step 9 - Re-assembly
Before re-installing the primary chain inspection cover, make sure the rubber O-ring on the inside of the primary chain inspection hole is clean and properly seated.
Also make sure that the rubber o-rings are clean and in proper condition before replacing the screws in the primary chain inspection cover.
Using a 5/32" Hex or Allen screw head, re-install the primary chain inspection cover.
Step 10 - Using a T27 Screwdriver head, reinstall the clutch inspection cover. Install the screws in the following order:
Top
Bottom
Left
Right
Once all of the screws have been lightly hand-tightened, use a torque wrench to tighten them to their proper specification of 7 - 12 ft-lbs (84 - 108 in-lbs). Tighten the screws in the same order as before.
SOCIAL:
► FaceBook: goo.gl/i0s02L
► Instagram: goo.gl/hngf8Z
► Twitter: bit.ly/DDFMTwitter
MY GEAR:
► Bell Bullitt TT (Discontinued): goo.gl/NFsi2U
► Bell Custom 500 Cabbie (Discontinued): goo.gl/FOjdMA
► Roland Sands Design Dezel Gloves: goo.gl/hykZ7S
► S&S Rust and Redemption Jeans: goo.gl/1D0BMQ
► Roland Sands Design Tracker Jacket: goo.gl/WclOIp
► Fly 8th Street Mesh Jacket (Discontinued): goo.gl/sX83L3
► ICON 1000 Elsinore Motorcycle Boots: goo.gl/Cmrthg
► SENA SMH10r: goo.gl/gveK1w
► GoPro HERO4 Black Edition: goo.gl/jfoqP7
MY RIDE:
► 2012 Harley Davidson Nightster 1200cc (Sportster)
► Roland Sands Design FLy-By-Wire Grips: goo.gl/I9aCyT
► Roland Sands Design Clip-On Bars: goo.gl/jwLA1h
► Roland Sands Design Cafe Gas Cap: goo.gl/Zk92SX
► Roland Sands Design Tracker 2-1 Exhaust: goo.gl/gZW3E4
► Roland Sands Design Speedo Relocation Kit: goo.gl/u5V9TZ
► Mustang Fast-Back Seat for Harley Sportster: goo.gl/vEHV8q
How To Ride A Motorcycle
how to ride a motorcycle for beginners
Drain it hot on the Jiffy stand . 1 quart out , one quart in . No need to fiddle around with the Derby Cover .
That's how I do mine. I do have to remove the Derby cover once in a while though, to check/adjust the clutch. I got a huge package of O-rings for the derby cover, and also gaskets for the primary chain cover from J&P Cycles.
how are you getting oil into the primary without taking the derby off?
@@alexfraley through the inspection cover where this guy filled it from.
@@thatmexican7317 oh yeah. I never take that off unless the chain is bad out. I do adjust the clutch every time though
I typed in "badass mustache with kickass shorts" and UA-cam brought me to an oil change video?
Idk why Lol
Ha ha. Next thing, you’ll be in emergency explaining how you fell on the maglite and it’s now stuck in your rectum. Bless you brother.
It's Google owned....what do you expect ?
You must use primary fluid that is specifically made for wet clutches on the sportster or you may damage your internals. That may be why you have so much metal shavings on your magnet drain plug.
Carl Biller specifically it must be yellow metal safe or it will eat the stator. Not sure why people don’t just use the HD Formula plus. It’s like $6 and what the bike calls for.
You are supposed to use engine oil. The same that’s in your bike. I.E. 20w -50 V twin oil.
Everyone seems to use something different but theres many acceptable oils. HD formula+ is recommended by the manual. Dealers recommend using syn 3 in the engine and primary. Many use the same 20w-50 for the engine and primary which is what I'm doing in my 07. Mobil 1 vtwin 20w-50 engine and primary. What's odd is some people claim they get clutch slip with this oil or that oil. Some get more valve train noise with this or that. Every motor seems to like something different but just need quality fluids.
@@bsboneless1
They do make it and they will tell you to use it in the transmission, the bigger harleys use engine oil, transmission oil, and primary/clutch oil. The sportsters primary is the clutch NOT the transmission.
Run Type F Automatic transmission fluid in your primary/trans on a Sporty 70k + miles and I change it every other oil change. Never had a problem with a clutch or primary chain on any of my bikes.
I have an HD Sportster XL1200c and the dealer always told me to use 20w-50 full synthetic in my primary but I never liked using that
so I have been trying to find out what is the best to use in it and I have been searching on UA-cam, and after watching a lot of them
all I get is use whatever you want from 20w-50 full synth, Mineral oil, synth 3, trans fluid and not much on gear oil!
Like I said I didn't like the fact of using 20w-50 full synth motor oil, mineral oil and tranny fluid didn't sound either because they sound too thin of a viscosity and now finally I see someone using gear oil which was what I thought would be best!
So I can use 75w-140 gear oil in my primary with no problem? Is that the best to use in the primary in Ohio where I live? I love Royal Purple!
Make sure when you remove the derby cover,that you loosen the bolts in a star pattern to prevent warping cover. Also tighten the derby cover in a star pattern...Ride safe!
And be sure that you don’t loose the spring in behind derby cover
Thx a million, great video
Life saver. I was looking for the info. Thanks
Did you have to replace the o ring? I just took mine off to replace the clutch cable and after reassembly oil started coming from it. Leaking smaller and smaller didn't do a perfect star pattern could this be why? Please help! Thanks
I'm lazy with my 2018 1200 Custom. I refill through the Inspection Cover. Use Valvoline Syn 20w50 oil. Same oil I use in my Engine. And I change it every oil change.
ATF fluid can be used too. It wont froth up like engine oil can.
Keep up the good work, Chris!
Exactly. I don’t get people skipping it unless on a road trip maybe. It’s one quart of oil ! Haha.
Dude YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE OFF YOUR DERBY COVER TO CHANGE THE PRIMARY OIL!!! USE YOUR INSPECTION COVER PLATE TO REFILL WITH YOUR PRIMARY OIL UNLESS YOUR ADJUSTING THE CHAIN IN YOUR PRIMARY ! DID THE SAME AS YOU UNTIL A HARLEY MECHANIC TOLD ME A ALOT EASIER WAY !!! TAKE TWO SCREWS OUT N PUT TWO SCREWS BACK IN !! 1 quart exactly to proper amount of oil .
I heard about this way. Nice to see I’m not the only one.
🎯
That’s how my uncle showed me. That’s how I do it too.
I agree, i actually bent my derby cover putting it back on. Was no point of taking it off
Lefty loosey - Righty tighty. I stripped a primary plug once. Sickening feeling.
Rule number one never listen to some random dude on UA-cam who has no idea what he’s doing or who doesn’t change his oil.
Mine doesn't fit a quart???? It's a 1996, but after draining it hot and everything it'll only take a little less than 3/4 quart and it's already covering the bottom of the clutch packet. I'm assuming that's right tho, just think it's weird. But it is older too so you know.
What jack is that you bought? I really need to get one. I have one of those upright stands, which I probably should have just returned. It's a real pain in the ass. I should have just bought a jack...
24K before replacing primary? i change my primary every time i change my motor oil witch is only about 4k miles . is that doing to much?
Harley only recommends every 10k miles you change primary… although changing it every 4K will not hurt anything.
do you still have your engine oil in there or are you only taking out the primary oil? They are two separate things? bit confused what the difference is...
Primary is clutch side. Main oil is for motor.
Whats that other adjustment screw about 5 inches in front of the drain plug screw??
That is for adjusting the primary chain tension.
i just watch this and its already 5 years ago imma ask hows ur harley right now? btw that guy eating chicken got me lol
When's the first change needed? 1k miles or 10k miles?
1600kms-1000miles first change oil.
@@ValdemarAK47 After the 1000 mile service, the next service is at 5000 miles then every 5000 miles after that, i.e. 10000, 15000, 20000 etc.
1k, then 5 and 10 my friend
Love those short shorts..... Who wears short shorts???...Dandan the fireman that's who!!!
Hey Dan the photo that comes up first.... is not a sportster primary .it's a big twin..
I would drain that shit immediately!! That royal purple says not for wet clutches and idk why everyone runs gear oil , 20/50 the same you put in your motor is what it calls foe
He didn't read the label.
does that Royal purple reduce noise and preforme well??
what kind of oil will u recomendme to use i have a 2013 harley 48 is actuqlly my first bike and i think is time to do the gear oil change
100 lbs? you for the inch part? and why 15w- 140? not good
Think he said Ft lbs.. !! No way .. gotta be "INCH lbs!!
hi thanks for ahort detailed video
Sportster transmission and primary share the same oil. Do not use gear oil. Use 20W- 50 Mobil 1 oil used for air cooled Harleys.
Thanks so much Jim for some correct info on here!
I thought the primary was the transmission. So where the clutch goes is the primary and where goes the transmission oil?
incorrect
The filler access is the clutch inspection cover.
9. Add 32 fluid ounces (946 milliliters) of GENUINE Harley- Davidson FORMULA+ TRANSMISSION AND PRIMARY CHAINCASE LUBRICANT (Part No. 98851-05 quart) through clutch inspection cover opening.
I was literally going to say the same thing i wonder how does the gear oil will do with the wheat clutch...
Thanks for the video but FYI:
1. I've heard Royal Purple is really bad to use in Sportsters. I think it's corrosive to yellow metals and it fucks up clutch plates. I would highly recommend switching to Mobil 1(what I use) or Amsoil.
2. You don't need to remove the derby cover to change the primary fluid. Many people just put 28 ounces in and call it a day. Sometimes even 1 full quart is too much and it can make neutral hard to find.
I hope you get it straightened out lol. I'm using Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 for the engine and LS 75W-90 for the primary.
You sir are correct. That's why they need you to remove the derby cover so you can see when the oil gets to the diaphragm spring when it gets to that point.
Im sure its proper to remove the clutch cover but honestly I see no purpose in doing so. One quart out, one quart in. Why the clutch cover removal?
Der der der der der der
gotta take it off to refill, Yappy!
@@bobpress1235 not on my sportster or any Ive seen. You drain it out at the bottom and pull the small cover off (the one he put his fluid in) to refill. Ive never pulled the big side cover, except when I replaced my clutch.
I just did the first oil change on my new Iron today. Removed the foot rest to be able to remove primary cover to add a quart of oil. If a quart is capacity then it’s a waste of time removing the derby cover…. I won’t bother doing that again
@@bobpress1235you didn’t even watch where he refilled did you ? 😂
Only need to remove inspection cover. No need to remove derby cover or mid controls.
Probably gotta do it to check the level no?
@@johnnyghanja takes 1 quart.
They all go to same place then, right? Asking because I couldn't get my Chain inspection plate off my '93 sportster, wondering if I can just add my oil through the Clutch Inspection plate. - It's a little different set up on the 1993 1200xl. But I think 1 quart won't spill over the reservoir if the bike is level. Sorry to bug you with my question but seems like you know what you're doing.
If someone can help me with one problem. On my 2016 sportster iron 883, I have a slight oil leak from the screw located a little to the left of the main oil drain. That's a pretty big screw. The screw has a thread on it. How can I solve this problem so that there is no more oil dripping?
That is the primary chain adjustment bolt. Remove it during a fluid change and put a copper washer on it.
hey , thank you for the video. In sportster models do you change oil for the gearbox separately? Or what you just did fills it too?
The engine and trans are fed by the oil tank on Sportsters.
trans and primary use basically 20/50 oil, but engine oil is not shared with trans...NOT SHARED!
You still have this bike Dan? Only been seeing you on the Rebel lately.
kindly upload anything related to dtc code's or electric use
what about gl5 gear oil eating yellow metals
But on a serious note, thank you for the educational video
what oil do you use in the motor
Thanks
What’s that fat 7/8 bolt with the threads popping out? left of the drain bolt.
I accidentally unscrewed it and the thread came down a bit with it (now my socket can’t reach to tighten completely)
That's the primary chain tensioner (shoe) adjustment lock nut (the 7/8 one). The threads that are "popping out" is actually the adjustment bolt itself (there's an allen key head machined on that threaded bolt) and the 7/8 nut locks it in place so the adjustment doesn't get loose.
no need to remove small plate just fill through clutch cover
now u talkin'
More like no need to remove the clutch cover. Just fill through the inspection plate. Two bolts. No need to remove foot controls.
Is it a quart refill exactly? Then why check the level especially when you’ve already drained the old oil as well?
tighten 90-120 "inch pounds"......... NOT "pounds" !!
how's the reliability of your HD?
+DanDanTheFireman yeah it's the heat. Cool cool man keep the videos coming
Thanks for the vid. Yuma heat indeed! Grew up and went to HS there, currently in Phoenix. You doing El Diablo Run this year? I'm trying to get an AZ group together for the ride to San Felipe.
Is it okay to put amsoil Sae w2050 on a transmission ?
I've been using synthetic amsoil 20w-50 in the engine and primary for 10+ years. Works great. I am going to try the amsoil primary fluid next for the primary only. I don't think there will be a difference but we'll see.
I used castor v twin oil for gear oil. See what happens
You did it right it's supposed to be engine oil not gear oil
Could you tell me where is located the drain from the secondary transmission for a Sportster?
Primary and transmission share oil so there is only 1 plug for them and 1 plug for engine oil.
What weight of gear oil did you use? I read that the 20w50 engine oil i got for the oil change can be used in the trans/primary gear box as well. Any truth?
I'm in the same boat - i'm not sure whats true/false about this, did you figure something out? :)
@@filmfreaken talked to a harley service rep that sounded unsure but said the 20w50 will work long as its diesel use rated i guess. Since the bikes are mostly air cooled and have high heat cycles.
@@BdeSimon i just did mine today with 20w/50 in both primary and engine :)
@@filmfreaken no issues with it?
@@BdeSimon not at all, 50% of the internet said ok, so did half of youtube, so i consulted an old friend of mine whos a HD tech, and shopowner and he said, its fine to use HD 20w/50 oil, if you have it, but if' youre to buy something the "formula+" from harley does not cost much., i used the 20w/50 cause i had it.. i had like 9litre of it.. so no problem using one in the primary. he said he doubt i'd feel any difference.
Why is my 883 primary oil tan
Guy Williams the reason it’s “tan” is because it has Harley’s special formula primary/ transmission fluid in it which is recommended of course
Don't know who taught you but your terms are wrong and the primary takes primary oil or 20/50 not gear oil.
@@bsboneless1 Syn 3 is 20/50 correct? You can use Syn 3 in all 3 holes or HD's primary fluid if you choose, or any 20/50 dyno if you want to. But you can not use gear oil in a primary. You're just wrong.
If there was that much metal shavings on my drain plug, I'd be more than worried.
That’s pretty common it’s clutch material. It’s purpose is to collect that nothing wrong at all totally normal.
Royal purple 😭
Terrible information. Gear oil in a sportster primary. Bike likely won't be happy.
Could have adjusted.tbe clutch as well while the primary was open
10-40 in my my primary and when weather gets hot 15 w 40 Rotella
KNOW from all ive read & been told asking tons of questions about my new purchase 2k sporty 1200 says all oils the same 20 w 50 1- qt _primary & 2.5 qt engine so ??
Google harley 80-140 !!Harley makes and sells 80-140 oil FOR USE IN THEIR PRIMARY !
Gear oil? WTH?
This is not your transmission holyshit....
Oh my~ please take this video off of UA-cam, you use the wrong oil, hope not many people do as you cause it will damage the bike
those shorts are hot bra!
Rockin' the short shorts!
Why do you keep calling it a gear box!
It's the primary and the primary oil is for the primary chain and clutch pack. That oil does not go in to the gear box/ transmission. Depending on the year of the bike the engine oil is shared with the transmission. But the primary is always a separate thing all by its self.
The sportsters engine oil is not shared with anything. The trans/primary are shared on sportsters. The engine oil is fed by the oil tank.
Why a black person/fried chicken gif?
molly maul I was wondering the same thing! Lol!