Primary Fluid Change

[JAU Flyer]

I have searched the service manual for the T-40 primary drain plug torque spec without any luck. Does anybody have that handy??  also, does it really make any difference whether or not the bike has been ran to "warm" up the tranny and primary fluids??!  No affects with the drain plugs? Like stripping threads, etc.

'02 Ultra.

Thanks in advance.

[blown alcohol]

it may not have a tq # spec. May have to measure distance of plug sticking out.
Just get some teflon paste and Tighten (snug) the drain plug, or you will strip threads.

[Mike52]

does it really make any difference whether or not the bike has been ran to "warm" up the tranny and primary fluids??! 

The reason it's recommended to warm the bike up is so the particles in the fluids are 'suspended' in the warm fluid, not settled to the bottom of it's respective tank. This makes getting the particles out much easier, they don't drain out so well when they're stuck to the bottom of the oil tanks. The drain plug magnets only catch what happens to be near them, the rest settles to the bottom.

Mike

[JAU Flyer]

I know the plug is an NPT and can casue damage if not paid attention to while re-installing. I have heard of puttnig the teflon tape on. Thanks for the reply.

[JAU Flyer]

Thanks Mike. I thought I had read somewhere before about issues with aluminum threads and removings plugs when hot or cold or something or another could cause some possible issues....

[FSG]

Ensure the plug isn't screw in so far that it makes contact with the clutch basket.  It's happened and been reported here on HTT.

Use a new O-Ring on the plug each time, I use Parker O-Rings from a Kit I purchased years ago, I forget the size, even if you use the ones from HD they're cheap.

Some use teflon tape as well, I use the teflon paste as I find it easier.

The tension spec is in the SM,   Section 1: Maintenance Changing Lubricant PRIMARY CHAIN LUBRICANT  and is :  14 - 21 ft/lbs   

[L-]

I know I don't even come close to the bottom torque spec.  Clean the plug, paste and O ring and snug it up a little bit.  I have sen too many of these cross threaded or in way too far.

L-

[FSG]

I know I don't even come close to the bottom torque spec

Me neither, but it's there.

[blown alcohol]

I do not think there are torque specs on 02 and earlier touring bikes. The 14-21 ft lbs is for later models.

I helped a bud change his oils a week ago on an 02 road king. His manual read to measure the distance of plug sticking out. There were no torque specs.

To be on the safe side, just use teflon paste, and snug drain plug. that simple. I would not torque the primary drain plug, unless there is a torque spec in the owners/shop manaul.

[DblackmanC]

I don't know what year or model it changed on but you guys are talking to different styles. The earlier model have a Pipe plug type that you measure length (no o-ring) and the newer plug is just like the motor oil drain plug (with o-ring) and it has a tq. spec.
Dan

[FSG]

I don't know what year or model it changed on but you guys are talking to different styles. The earlier model have a Pipe plug type that you measure length (no o-ring) and the newer plug is just like the motor oil drain plug (with o-ring) and it has a tq. spec.
Dan

You are correct, my bad, below is from the year SM's

'01 FLT:  Clean drain plug. Apply Loctite Pipe Sealant with Teflon 565 to threads and install plug back into primary chain-case cover. If drain plug has accumulated a lot of debris, inspect the condition of chaincase components.

'02 FLT:  Clean drain plug. Apply Loctite Pipe Sealant with Teflon 565 to threads and install plug back into primary chain-case cover. If drain plug has accumulated a lot of debris, inspect the condition of chaincase components.

'03 FLT:  Clean drain plug. Apply Loctite Pipe Sealant with Teflon 565 to threads and install back into primary chaincase cover. Using a dial caliper, tighten plug until 0.160-0.180 inch (4.06-4.57 mm) above the surface of the casting

'04 FLT:  Install drain plug back into primary chaincase cover. Tighten plug to 36-60 in-lbs (4.1-6.8 Nm).

'05 FLT:  Install drain plug back into primary chaincase cover. Tighten plug to 36-60 in-lbs (4.1-6.8 Nm).

'06 FLT:  Install drain plug back into primary chaincase cover. Tighten plug to 36-60 in-lbs (4.1-6.8 Nm).

'07 FLT:  Install drain plug back into primary chaincase. Tighten plug to 14-21 ft-lbs (19.0-28.5 Nm).

'08 FLT:  Install drain plug into primary chaincase and tighten to 14-21 ft-lbs (19.0-28.5 Nm).

'09 FLT:  Install drain plug into primary chaincase and tighten to 14-21 ft-lbs (19.0-28.5 Nm).