How to: Primary and Trans Fluid Change - Harley Davidson Sportster

[@chance4377]

I’ve had my 1986 fxrs for five years now and somehow only just found your channel. I know this is a sportster how to but it’s awesome seeing your content on the old big twin thanks for the hard work!

[@freebirdsgarage]

Glad you enjoy it! I do mix of what's on the table, but generally it's filled with FXR content. I appreciate you watching!

[@RodKrisBisdakMotovlog0627]

That's really cool and awesome mechanical things about of it bro. I learn something. Keep it up and more vidz to come bro.

[@freebirdsgarage]

Thank you! I appreciate the support on that! 👊👊

[@BigSmittyRiding]

Mr. How To strikes again! Haven't changed the oil on a Sporty in quite a few years. Good video Jay!

[@freebirdsgarage]

Quick and easy, I dig the small stuff the service book talks about if you manage mess it up lol. I appreciate the support my friend!

[@VoodooViking]

I also have a 98 xlc 1200. And I went through the entire manual and bought every tool they listed. Along with a floor Jack from harbor freight. I live in an apartment, so I put all the tools into a Milwaukee Packout box system. And a rubber liner to with walls for when I need to do work. Plus rabbit ears handlebars, helps get it into the apartment at night. Plus as many spare parts as I could find. Along with a year’s supply of fluids, filters and anything else.

[@freebirdsgarage]

That's rad man, now that is adapting to your space! I know many who wrench in their apartment complex and shows it doesn't where just the drive to it.

[@VoodooViking]

agreed! Make it work for you. When I lived in Seattle, I lived in a 4th floor apartment. And luckily had a very wide front door to the apartment, along with a service elevator to move stuff up and down, so I’d just bring it up with me and into the apartment.

[@replicated]

Nice guide. Thanks!

[@freebirdsgarage]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@2pety]

Great video. I have a question though, you said that the bike needs to be warmed up. Can I warm up the bike even though I know I’m super low on the primary fluid without it messing up the transmission?

[@freebirdsgarage]

In a perfect world, yes warm it up. But if you are that low, you have major leak going on that needs to be found before adding fluid.

[@comingasathiefinthenight1120]

Does the transmission an engine share the same fluid?

[@freebirdsgarage]

yes

[@MotoRecon]

Appreciate the video, I'm wondering if I could use 20/50 synthetic until I get to my mechanic? I think the heat really burned some oil up this summer

[@freebirdsgarage]

I would stick to the oil specific by Harley for your bike

[@partyguy9]

Where do you suggest buying a manual? A quick google comes up with many different cover pages

[@freebirdsgarage]

Just make sure it's Harley Davidson nothing else, they may have made two of them one covering many years.

[@partyguy9]

@@freebirdsgarage just ordered an "owners manual" from my model year. Hopefully that has all the service info I'll need

[@robertolson7959]

You can get them at the public library sometimes too

[@kenni411]

can you send me the link to the Evolution clutch?

[@freebirdsgarage]

what link are you referring too?

[@Brandon-th4xx]

Thanks for telling us what size bolt

[@713TacBear]

Can I have info about what seat you hace on her please

[@freebirdsgarage]

Saddlemen "profiler" i think it was, super old. I don't know if they still make it

[@sashalloyd5934]

Need some advise, my 03 sportster when I do an oil change Drain from the sum plug, new oil in the oil tank, do I have to do a different oil for the clutch? Or will that first oil go all round the bike, every time I go into first it sound clunky Thank you n advance

[@freebirdsgarage]

Different oil and the clunky noise will not be from a fluid change. You have a bigger problem going on

[@franksolimine7615]

Good job

[@freebirdsgarage]

Thank you!

[@rbljackson]

What does a "dragging clutch" feel like? We were lucky enough to win an 03 Sportster 1200s model. Really nice bike with only 8k on it. Immediately after getting the bike, I stopped at the harley shop and got new fluids. They told me it takes 1 quart of 20w-50 synthetic from harley for the primary,. I added the whole thing. When I ride the bike it does feel like the clutch slips when I really get on it. But the strange thing is that the tach doesn't change RPM's which would indicate slipping. IM wondering if IM experiencing the clutch dragging that you may be referring too. Because I didn't ride the bike before doing the fluid change, I don't have any reference for before/after fluid change. I ride a VTX1800 some im used to a big torquey motor. I was a little disappointed in the 1200 based on what ive heard. They say they are real fast and light bikes, but im not experiencing that at the moment. Any advice/ ideas/ tips or tricks to improve performance and fix the issue that I think im havng.

[@freebirdsgarage]

Sounds like your are getting dragging clutch. It’s too much fluid can block the clutch from engaging. Performance wise, that’s tuff. Because you’ll never feel super fast as compared to metrics on the older Harleys. Super hooligan kit is the big one to make the Sportster “fast” or Zippers 1275.

[@rbljackson]

@@freebirdsgarage thanks. I will pull that cover and see if there is too much fluid in there. I know the sportster s model has a few engine tweaks over the regular sportster, but not sure exactly what they are besides the dual plugs per cylinder. I think there is a different cam in the S model too, but I could be mistaken.

[@bigrod0069]

Thanks dude

[@freebirdsgarage]

You are welcome!

[@karenswinford5954]

Can i use mobil 1 V-Twin 20w-50 on my 2000 Sportster 1200

[@freebirdsgarage]

Go by the service manual for your year, you could be fine running it.

[@karenswinford5954]

Can I use mobile 1v-twin 20w-50 in my transmission of my 2000 Harley Sportster 1200 ?

[@karenswinford5954]

2:45

[@freebirdsgarage]

Refer back to you manual or call the dealer they could tell you over the phone

[@coryshaw7810]

If you drain the primary will it naturally refill itself from the oil case up top? Or is that separate from the primary

[@freebirdsgarage]

That's separate from the oil case

[@coryshaw7810]

@freebirdsgarage lol good to know. I put like 20 mile on it dry I should be good tho if I fill it now. Sportster are beasts

[@shovelhead4558]

Use Harley oil you can’t go wrong rub oil on any new O ring or oil filter if changing engine oil.

[@freebirdsgarage]

Yes sir!

[@onoone58]

There is ABSOLUTELY no reason to remove the derby cover to do this job. Just remove the drain plug drain the oil then remove the primary chain inspection cover and just add 1 quart the primary oil with a funnel reinstall the inspection cover and your done. You do not need to do anything else. PRERIOD!!!!

[@freebirdsgarage]

That’s not how you check the level of the fluid. So, yes remove the derby cover. It’s 3 bolts…

[@onoone58]

@@freebirdsgarage Let me try this again but be more specific. The primary on a sportster takes 1 QUART OF OIL ONLY. That being said you know it’s full when you add the quart so no need to remove the dirty cover. If you don’t believe that then just continue removing it but you are flat out wasting your time. Now if your primary has a leak and you want to CHECK THE LEVEL then you remove the derby cover but NOT TO CHANGE THE OIL. Your decision. Hope that helped

[@jaywinters2483]

I wish you would kill the music noise so that we don’t have to struggle to hear you. It is unnecessary and annoying.

[@freebirdsgarage]

noted