Harley Fluids What and Why!

[KRUZR]

Everyone believes there's is the best approach and I guess I'm no different. I use AMSOIL 20/50 in the engine. Why because there is industry data available that says it protects the engines the best. In the Trans I have been using Bel-Ray 85/140, when I complained about how noisy my HD Trans was my dealer recommended BEL-RAY and I haven't had any issues and in the primary I use HD Formula Plus. This combination has served me well. I traded a 1997 Road Kind in with 88,000 miles and my 2007 Street Glide which is now my TRIKE has almost 38,000 miles. I used to use the AMSOIL in all three holes but everything runs kind of noisy. Ride Safe!

 

[trikersx2]

I have a 124 S&S in a 91 HD with DFT. Talked to a tech at S&S he told me he had been using Type F trans fluid for years with no wear so i tried it about 4 years ago. Put on 32.000 and it quieted the clutch and have had no slipping or stretching of the primary chain. So it works for me.

 

[msocko3]

I have a 124 S&S in a 91 HD with DFT. Talked to a tech at S&S he told me he had been using Type F trans fluid for years with no wear so i tried it about 4 years ago. Put on 32.000 and it quieted the clutch and have had no slipping or stretching of the primary chain. So it works for me.

Folks with the older style compensator's can get away with ATF. The Screamin Eagle compensator on the HD trikes doesn't like ATF very well, it causes galling of the ramps.

 

[crazyblue0_2]

OK I just bought a new 2011 Tri Glide Ultra Classic and I absolutely love it. Never riden a trike before but now I may never go back to two wheels. Never having to put my feet on the hot ground is awesome. The question I have is has anyone of you guys ever experience oil leak? I saw a drop of oil and I am currently away from my home dealership what kind of oil should I add? Bike only has 2500 miles.

 

[Gorilla]

OK I just bought a new 2011 Tri Glide Ultra Classic and I absolutely love it. Never riden a trike before but now I may never go back to two wheels. Never having to put my feet on the hot ground is awesome. The question I have is has anyone of you guys ever experience oil leak? I saw a drop of oil and I am currently away from my home dealership what kind of oil should I add? Bike only has 2500 miles.

Welcome aboard crazyblue. Check the oil level and if it's not down a whole quart don't worry much about it. I would be very surprised if you were down at all if all you saw was a drop of oil. One of the drain plugs maybe just a little loose and caused a drip. If the level is good give the plus a snug tightening. Just snug good them because you can over tighten and strip the pan.

 

[pachangabob]

red line in the tranny and syn 3 in the motor and primary.
i dumped new syn 3 out of the tranny and put in redline and there is a very noticable difference.

 

[10rhrk]

A correction to my wife (TNTriker) on post 17. I had just started using ATF in the primary from comment's on HDforum's. I soon realized it was not heavy enough to protect the Compensator. I switched to Rotella-T 15W40 at that time. It's now over a year later and I'm still using it in the Primary and will soon be changing to it in our new 2012 Triglide. I run Mobil 1 in the Engine and I've already changed the Tranny to Redline V-Twin with shockproof. I switched to Redline back in 09 because it was recommended by so many, Plus a few Harley Mechanics. It's proved to be just as they discribed, Smoother, Quieter
Tranny. JMO

 

[Lakeman]

Earlier in this post it was noted that the dip stick had 2 scales on, one for on the jiffy stand and one for straight up. I just purchased the LED dip stick and it has only 1 scale and on the other side it has "check on jiffy stand". The instructions say you can not get an accurate reading straight up (except soft tail). Where does that leave us with a trike conversion? I talked to a service writer at the HD dealership and he said it didn't matter, I ask him 3 or 4 other questions that I knew the answer to and he was FULL of it, will not be going back there again.

 

[pettifogger1]

There is an LED dipstick made for the Trike. Do you have the right part number?

 

[Lakeman]

pettifogger1, no I didn't know that and I guess the person helping me didn't either. Mine is an 05 Ultra Classic with a Leaman conversion (not a Triglide). Will it work for me and could you give me the part number? Thanks

 

[pettifogger1]

The part number is 62700005. However, it is listed as 09 and later HD Trike models. I see the 05 touring models have a different number and, of course, nothing listed for a converted trike. Sorry.

 

[Lakeman]

I don't know what the difference could be, since HD didn't make a trike before 2009 could be the reason its not listed. That part of the bike is the same as far as I know. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks

 

[Gorilla]

The Tri-Glide LED stick will NOT work in the "05" The "05" had a rubber stopper type action to hold the dip stick in place. The "09" has a screw in type dip stick. Sorry.






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[Ozarkryder]

Lakeman, before you go out and cough up more $$, find another '05 Ultra. (actually any '05 'Glide will most likely be fine, not sure about different years) Make sure the oil is filled right up to the line on the stock dipstick measured as per the MoFoCo instructions. Stand the 2 wheeler upright and measure the oil with your dipstick, then mark it at that oil level. There you are- a dipstick correctly calibrated for an '05 Electraglide Ultra standing proud and upright on 3 wheels.

 

[Lakeman]

Will do,thanks

 

[Triglyceride]

After a lot of research and seeing litmus test I am running Royal Purple Max cycle in all three holes, I am a firm believer in this stuff, At work we have also changed over and are seeing less downtime,cooler equipment runs and electricity savings due to less friction. Get with a RP salesmen and request a demo with a litmus test machine and compare a sample of any brand oil you are running and then you can be informed on what oil is the best for you.

 

[undertaker]

Dealer in Duluth, MN says amsoil is OK for the motor and trans, but use harley syn in the primary. He said amsoil used in the prmary has burnt out three this past year.

 

[Gorilla]

ive had aimsoil in my primary for 4 years and 35k miles changed at 5 k intervals

 

[msocko3]

ive had aimsoil in my primary for 4 years and 35k miles changed at 5 k intervals

I know the Screamin Eagle compensator HD installs in the 09 to present Triglides is particular about its lubrication. The ramps have been known to fret and gall with certain oils, Harley Formula+ seems to work the best in the primary on the engines equipped with the SE compensator.

 

[hazel]

Okay...I'm new to Harleys and didn't even understand what a primary was before owning one. Here's what I've gathered so far:

1. 20W50 synthetic in the motor.
2. Transmission is all over the place.
3. Primary is all over the place.

The dealership I purchased the bike from put Syn-3 in all 3. (said change at 3K on motor and 5K on both trans and primary). But he said you will start to hear "noises" when the trans needs to be changed and given my experience level, I wasn't real excited about that. They also said they only check the level of the motor oil before each ride, not the other two.

I've read things about compensators, Tri-Glides, CVO, EVO, etc. and am not sure where I fit in. I apologize but I don't know much about what I guess I've gotten myself in to. I can say that I absolutely love the bike and will come upon this maintenance soon enough.

I have an 02 Dyna Wide Glide (Frankenstein kit) with the stock motor (honestly, not even sure what size it is). From what I think I hear, 20W50 synthetic in the crankcase seems unanimous. For the trans, I like what I read about the Redline shock-proof (as in a short time, I can certainly hear a difinitive "clunk" when shifting). For the trans, I'm clueless.

This is my first Harley and want it to last for years of future enjoyment. Is there a difference between what seems like the newer bikes and mine or should I just stick with what I've been told? Thanks in advance. Randy