HarleyTechTalk

My service manual says catch the first few threads of the dipstick on sidestand,level ground to get reading in range. I do it room temp halfway between the lines. My body tells me screw the dipstick until the O-ring just touches. I've had no problems this way and can't find any evidence of anything blown out through the vent. What do you guys do?

6 or 5 speed?

In my opinion if you drain it properly and put in the correct amount there is no need to check it periodically.  If it goes down you will almost certainly have a leak and if you have a leak enough to make a difference on the dipstick you will have a mess and know it.  Now that being said I have a 5 speed and the book calls for checking that one with the bike upright and the dipstick just inserted (not screwed in).  If I were to check it on the sidestand it would not register at all on the stick because every time I change  clutch cables I do it with the bike on the side stand and I do not drain the transmission first  (I just did this a few weeks ago for the 4th or 5th time) No oil comes out except for a tiny amount that will cling to the ramp housing internals.  All the oil will migrate to the low side when on the sidestand. If yours says to check it on the sidestand you likely have a transmission with the dipstick more centrally located, which is fine.  But however you choose to do it (hot, cold, side stand, straight up, stick screwed in or not), make the measurement and note the reading after you drain and fill the proper amount. After that always measure it the same way.

Year and model?

Owners Manual -----  2012 Touring

you are prolly close enough, .......  I wouldn't lose any sleep   

For a '12 touring I always just dump a quart in and button it up.

Same here, I think the book says 28oz., but 32oz. is just fine.

Quote from: Ohio HD on September 29, 2023, 01:55:36 PMSame here, I think the book says 28oz., but 32oz. is just fine.

The manual says 32 oz... it's why I dump a qt in. Works out almost perfect 

 

Yeah but I make sure to fully drain mine.. 

      

 

2012 RK,yes,I'm bored today. I don't check between changes, but I lost a little changing my clutch cable. Thanks.

Harley owners & everything oil related.

FSG made me aware of Service Bulletin M1296A ("Transmission Lubricant Checking and Filling Procedures") some time ago, I think it was when I was having shifter shaft seal issues on my 2010 Dyna.

"Vehicles Affected
This information applies to all 2006-2013 Dyna and 2007-2013 Softail and Touring models with 6-speed transmission, including CVO, Trike and Police models."

The most recent version I have is dated 2018-10-04.

Rusticwater .....  I'd forgotten about that      a snip from it

Seems booby was dead on the money afterall 😁

Thanks for the info!

I   had a  12 limited  when  I  changed  fluids  I never  checked  them because  I  had  no  leaks , just  check  motor oil.