Question for those with transmission oil transfer issues

[Fearless]

Just a thought sadly Harley makes it work to check tranny oil with the need of 3/8 allen head for the filler port. I purchased a after market dip stick with a hand knurled head no wrenches required. I was concerned about not checking it easily I have no problems but you can't be to careful. :good:Ride safe Fred

 

[dannymax]

Anyone know how much difference there is between hot & cold checking on the dipstik? I checked it cold and it was on add but never checked it hot, not sure I will get another chance till spring with the weather turning like it is now.

Dealer said with a TSB out on the oil migration issue warranty or not doesn't matter,,,,they are aware of the problem but have not seen any bikes with it so far.

 

[MDO]

Just a thought sadly Harley makes it work to check tranny oil with the need of 3/8 allen head for the filler port. I purchased a after market dip stick with a hand knurled head no wrenches required. I was concerned about not checking it easily I have no problems but you can't be to careful. :good:Ride safe Fred

Fearless, could you please post specifics on what transmission dip stick you bought & where you bought it?

Thanks.

UPDATE: I just realized you don't have an M8 & I don't know if the T/C dipstick is the same, but I would appreciate the info.

 

[MDO]

Anyone know how much difference there is between hot & cold checking on the dipstik? I checked it cold and it was on add but never checked it hot, not sure I will get another chance till spring with the weather turning like it is now.

Dealer said with a TSB out on the oil migration issue warranty or not doesn't matter,,,,they are aware of the problem but have not seen any bikes with it so far.

You are talking motor oil, correct? The transmission is to be checked at ambient air temperature.

As far as the motor oil, I check cold and go for right in the middle of all the little marks. Then when hot, it's at the top.

I pretty much quit checking it hot, after establishing the cold mark. I also get no oil out the external breather after adopting this method. I used to keep it as full as possible, but learned my lesson here that I was hurting, not helping.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Anyone know how much difference there is between hot & cold checking on the dipstik? I checked it cold and it was on add but never checked it hot, not sure I will get another chance till spring with the weather turning like it is now.

Dealer said with a TSB out on the oil migration issue warranty or not doesn't matter,,,,they are aware of the problem but have not seen any bikes with it so far.

Engine oil? If so about 1/2 qt should be good, keep it 1/2 way in the cross hatch area

 

[Jack Klarich]

Fearless, could you please post specifics on what transmission dip stick you bought & where you bought it?

Thanks.

UPDATE: I just realized you don't have an M8 & I don't know if the T/C dipstick is the same, but I would appreciate the info.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/speed-check-transmission-dipstick-pa-10-3710308--1#tabs

Fits up to 2016 models, not M8 trikes

 

[Tucci]

Oil migration video

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...1B70D5574417BFDB96E11B70D5574417&&FORM=VRDGAR

FOUND THIS VIDEO. BELIEVE IT OR DON'T. I'M ONLY POSTING IT FOR FYI

 

[dannymax]

Michael, Jack, actually I was talking about the transmission oil, but noticed after posting the manual states ambient temp as Michael said.

The Service Mgr said they fill the primary to a little below the bottom of the derby hat cover so if I pull that cover off and oil spills out there is probly oil migration going on. I pulled said cover and primary oil level appears to be in the general location he mentioned.

So....crude and cobbled measuring as it is I guess I can conclude that there is probly no catastrophic migration of trannie oil going on, which will have to do until spring when I get the 5K service done and I can monitor oil levels with a hawks eye! :xzqxz:

 

[Jack Klarich]

Michael, Jack, actually I was talking about the transmission oil, but noticed after posting the manual states ambient temp as Michael said.

The Service Mgr said they fill the primary to a little below the bottom of the derby hat cover so if I pull that cover off and oil spills out there is probly oil migration going on. I pulled said cover and primary oil level appears to be in the general location he mentioned.

So....crude and cobbled measuring as it is I guess I can conclude that there is probly no catastrophic migration of trannie oil going on, which will have to do until spring when I get the 5K service done and I can monitor oil levels with a hawks eye! :xzqxz:

Dan, Michael's Freewheeler and mine so far have not migrated any tranny fluid. That said not all of them do

Question for yours, did you or dealer do last service?

If your tranny fluid is 1/2 way on your stick the fluid was either not full or it has migrated some

 

[dannymax]

Dan, Michael's Freewheeler and mine so far have not migrated any tranny fluid. That said not all of them do

Question for yours, did you or dealer do last service?

If your tranny fluid is 1/2 way on your stick the fluid was either not full or it has migrated some

The dealer did the service Jack.

That's the problem, I didn't check either primary or transmission fluid levels after the 1K service so don't know where they were. I'll probly do the 5K myself over the winter as I believe all they do is an oil change - I'll do 3 holes + filter and will have a much better handle on it for next year.

 

[Capt.Bob]

The dealer did the service Jack.

That's the problem, I didn't check either primary or transmission fluid levels after the 1K service so don't know where they were. I'll probly do the 5K myself over the winter as I believe all they do is an oil change - I'll do 3 holes + filter and will have a much better handle on it for next year.

Danny, I don't know if it makes a difference but I use Harley Syn 3 for the crankcase and Harley Formula Plus for the transmission and primary holes. I know there are a lot of other good lubrication products out there but with the oil migration issues etc., I have decided to stick exactly with Harley's formulations. I don't particularly care to use the Syn 3 in all three holes because I am not comfortable with putting a partial synthetic (Syn 3) in the tranny or primary areas. The Formula Plus is reportedly designed specifically for transmission/primary applications. I was getting some oil usage up to about 5600 miles on my 2017 M8 TGU but now virtually none for the past 2k miles which is more like my 2016 103ci TGU that burned very little oil. The tranny fluid has not budged a fraction of an ounce since I did my own 5k service. I check it regularly and have not noticed any changes in level for approximately 2900 miles. Do remember when checking the tranny dip stick to only tighten the threaded stick down to where the rubber o-ring contacts the case and then bring it back up to get a reading when the engine is cold. Bob

 

[dannymax]

Danny, I don't know if it makes a difference but I use Harley Syn 3 for the engine and Harley Formula Plus for the transmission and primary holes. I know there are a lot of other good lubrication products out there but with the oil migration issues etc., I have decided to stick exactly with Harley's formulations. I don't particularly care to use the Syn 3 in all three holes because I am not comfortable with putting a partial synthetic in the tranny or primary areas. I was getting some oil usage up to about 5600 miles on my 2017 M8 TGU but now virtually none for the past 2k miles which is more like my 2016 103ci TGU that burned very little oil. The tranny fluid has not budged a fraction of an ounce since I did my own 5k service. I check it regularly and have not noticed any changes in level for approximately 2900 miles. Bob

That does make a difference Bob, I was just mulling over this very same subject....thanks.

 

[Fearless]

Fearless, could you please post specifics on what transmission dip stick you bought & where you bought it?

Thanks.

UPDATE: I just realized you don't have an M8 & I don't know if the T/C dipstick is the same, but I would appreciate the info.

Don't know about 18 and 19 model yrs. JP cycles 2018 book Page 231 transmission Oil fill plug/dipstick 2006-17 #600-0152 Drag Specialities Billet steel with 0 ring usd 17.95

 

[MDO]

Don't know about 18 and 19 model yrs. JP cycles 2018 book Page 231 transmission Oil fill plug/dipstick 2006-17 #600-0152 Drag Specialities Billet steel with 0 ring usd 17.95

Thanks Fearless for posting your order info, but it won't work for M8's. It's for T/C's only. Mine is a 2017.

I have an idea for making my own. It could very well be a low priority winter project.

I'm thinking of cutting about an inch off an old hex wrench and epoxying it to the OEM dipstick with some kind of cap on it. I play with it later.