Harley primary change, frequency

[Davidson]

I change my oil per manual, air cooled, carb, but what do you think about the trans? Does it really need to be changed every 5000 mi. as Harley recommends?  Really?
It's gears only, like my truck which goes 100k with the same gear oil.  Some never change it in autos with no harm.
Change the Primary oil , every 5000 ?  Is that all important?   

[ThumperDeuce]

I use to change it with every oil change.  If it smells burnt it is an indicator of your electrical system failing.  It's not just the gears but the clutch as well ( wet clutch ).

[bigfoot5x]

A few years ago Harley made a change in the requirements. These numbers are in the new manuals and were retroactive when they came out. Oil change is still every 5000 miles. Primary should be changed at every 10,000 miles and the transmission should be changed every 20,000 miles. By 10,000 miles, the primary is looking pretty dark because of the clutch crud that gets in it, but the tranny fluid still looks pretty good. I've always used the Harley fluids and have not had any problems. Syn3 and Formula+.

[Davidson]

It's not an old shovel, but an Evo.. 
I wouldn't think the gear oil would be worn out at 5000 mi.

[Hossamania]

I change my primary when I change oil, Tranny every other time.

[pumpguy68]

I change my primary with the oil just because I'm anal!!
Tranny fluid I change once a year I don't worry about the mileage I live in coloroda so I don't/can't ride year around(haven't found good enough snow tires) I use a lite weight syn in the primary and 85w140 in the tranny. 145k on the tranny gears when I replaced them wth a six speed. Gears still look like new.



Ray m

[BUBBIE]

Bet that was TOUGH for HD to Change their Mileage out to that Bigger number... $$$$$$$$ lost...

Lots of EPA getting on their Azz about wasting so much oil...

I have always tried to be;  oil n filter 3,000 to 3500 miles and second oil n filter plus change MTL in the Primary no more than 7,000...

The tranny used to be 10,000 then 15,000 now a full 20,000 doesn't bother me or the tranny at all... (Redline ShockProof Heavy)

With the Blackstone's oil reports and suggestions of oil doing just fine, I'll do both oil-filter plus MTL primary at the same mileage.. around the 6,000 mi. mark is what I'm going to use...

signed....BUBBIE

[PoorUB]

I change engine and primary around 5,000 miles, tranny once a year or 13,000 -15,000 miles. The primary gets pretty scuzzy so I like to change it pretty often. The transmission can easily go 20,000 or more.

[bigfoot5x]

I don't know how hard it was for HD to change the oil change interval specs but I do know the dealers fight it. I think the dealer here still tries to convince people on the every 2500 mile oil change. And they really push that all fluids are changed at 5000 miles. Apparently very few people read the owners manual.

[Big Cahuna]

I was at the local HD dealer this past Saturday, and if you went by their maintenance schedule you'd never have time to ride your bike.,, 

[CndUltra88]

I was at the local HD dealer this past Saturday, and if you went by their maintenance schedule you'd never have time to ride your bike.,, 

I wonder what Service Schedule they have for (if/when) Project Live Wire becomes a reality?
Hmm synthetic watts or
Rob

[Davidson]

 
I believe oil change chould be less frequent with EFI than with carbed engines? ?   

[bigfoot5x]

Why would you think that? I believe the EFI is more responsible for higher mpg because of better fuel control but I don't think it helps the oil change interval much. A carb could be set up to run as lean as the EFI cars are now but not as efficiently at all rpm ranges.

I have always thought the lengthening service intervals were the result of a couple of things. One is better oil formulas so they do not break down as quickly as oil did 30 or 40 years ago. The other thing is better ring and seal materials. If we saw 100,000 miles on a car in the 60's or 70's, that was a lot. Not we talk about 200,000 miles on vehicles. My 2006 Impala SS has 140,000 miles on it. It has finally gotten to the point where I have to add a quart of oil between the 5000 mile oil change intervals. There is a little oil grunge on the bottom of the engine but no drops on the driveway. 40 years ago there would  be spots all over on the driveway by 100,000 miles. I replaced the front 4 plugs at 110,000 miles because I was supposed to do it at 100,000 miles according to manual. They looked the same as the new ones going in so I have not replaced the rear 4 plugs , yet. Still runs fine. Gas mileage is unchanged from when new.

[Davidson]

Well, in carbed engines, whenever the needles stick gas runs by the rings into the oil, diluting it.  I have several sohc Honda 750s with 4 carbs,  and bad gas can result in an ass ache.
This doesn't occur with EFI.

[04rkryder]

"Well, in carbed engines, whenever the needles stick gas runs by the rings into the oil, diluting it. " That's what they make petcocks for.

[texaskatfish]

I'm a lifelong habitual 'turn off the gas at the petcock' rider - a hydro locked cylinder is a MUCH bigger concern than fuel in the oil IMHO

And I'm staying with a carburetor *gravity will NEVER fail me*

[pumpguy68]

    carb me please

[ncrider]

I just recently converted my '07 Super Glide Custom from EFI to carb.  Couldn't be happier.

[Davidson]

"Well, in carbed engines, whenever the needles stick gas runs by the rings into the oil, diluting it. " That's what they make petcocks for.

Yup,

  40 yr old petcocks leak.

I have bought new ones that leak.

[Dan89flstc]

"Well, in carbed engines, whenever the needles stick gas runs by the rings into the oil, diluting it. " That's what they make petcocks for.

Needles can stick even when the engine is running, what is a petcock going to do for you then?

Fuel injected engines don`t put excess fuel into the oil like carbs do, even when they are running right.

[jmorton10]

I have two RK's.  My 04 is 95" with a Bob Woods 44mm carb.  My 07 is 124" with S&S FI.

Although both have been dyno-tuned & run perfectly, if I had to choose one system over the other, the FI system wins hands down.

I'm pretty old school, I have been tuning carbed motors for over 40 years and never figured I would prefer a well tuned FI system to a carb.   After riding both bikes extensively, I almost never ride the carb model anymore and I am considering selling it.....

~John