I feel a bit stupid asking this being a seasoned rider of over 20 years. I finally made the jump from a sports bike to a cruiser. Got a 97 883 sportster and love it. I know harley trannys are not intergraded with the engine as on sports bikes so my question is this.. Does the tranny require seperate oil or does it run off the engine oil. And if not is it hard to change the oil myself? Thanks for any help on this.

 

CORRECTED

Trans/primary share the same oil. Motor is seperate.


.

 

Ok..so trans and engine share the same oil...got it....primary???

 

Your being told wrong! The trans,engine,primary all have their own oil. Having heard to change all three Holes so many times on this fourm it goes without saying. You can use 20-50 in all three holes but their is much better. Use the 20-50 in the engine but use something made just for the transmission and primary.

OOP's, I was telling you wrong. Learn something around here everyday!

 

he said he bought a Sportster. Yes, all 3 our covered under one single oil change.

 

Uh, he has a Sportster...... Two places to change oil. Primary/Transmission & Engine. A zillion choices, but comes with Formula + in primary and 20-50 in the other hole...

 

and welcome to the forum. Sportsters are the best. If it wasn't for the wife, I'd have one right now

 

Table 1-2. Quick Reference Maintenance Chart
ITEM SERVICED SPECIFICATION DATA
Engine oil and filter Oil capacity 3.6 qt. (3.4 L)
Filter Hand tighten 1/2-3/4 turn after gasket contact
Chrome filter (XL 1200C) Part no. 63796-77A
Black filter (all except XL 1200C) Part no. 63805-80A
Primary chain tension Deflection with hot engine 1/4-3/8 in. (6.3-9.5 mm)
Deflection with cold engine 3/8-1/2 in. (9.5-12.7 mm)
Chain tensioner nut torque 20-25 ft-lbs (27.1-33.9 Nm)
Primary chain inspection cover torque 40-60
in-lbs
(4.5-6.8 Nm)
Primary chain/
transmission lubricant
Lubricant capacity 32 oz. (946 mL)
Primary chaincase drain plug torque 14-30 ft-lbs (19.0-40.7 Nm)
Clutch adjustment Free play at adjuster screw 1/4 turn
Free play at hand lever 1/16-1/8 (1.6-3.2 mm)
Clutch inspection cover torque 84-108
in-lbs
(9.5-12.2 Nm)
Tire condition and pressure Pressure for solo rider Front: 30 psi (207 kPa)
Rear: 36 psi (248 kPa)
Pressure for rider and passenger Front: 30 psi (207 kPa)
Rear: 40 psi (276 kPa)
Wear Replace tire if 1/32 in. (0.8 mm) or less of tread
pattern remains
Wheel spokes Spoke nipple torque 40-50
in-lbs
(4.5-5.7 Nm)
Steering head bearings Lubricant for neck fitting SPECIAL PURPOSE GREASE
Part no. 99857-97 (14 oz. cartridge)
Brake fluid reservoir level D.O.T. 5 silicone hydraulic brake fluid Part no. 99902-77 (12 oz.)
Part no. 99901-77 (gal)
Proper fluid level (front brake) 1/4 in. (6 mm) from the top of the reservoir
Proper fluid level (rear brake) Upper fluid level in reservoir
Front master cylinder reservoir cover
screws
9-17
in-lbs
(1.0-2.0 Nm)
Brake pad linings and discs Minimum brake pad thickness 0.04 in. (1.02 mm)
Minimum brake disc thickness See stamp on side of disc
Drive belt Upward measurement force applied at
midpoint of bottom belt strand
10

 

From the 2005 XL service manual. The primary & trans are shared

Table 1-2. Quick Reference Maintenance Chart
ITEM SERVICED SPECIFICATION DATA
Engine oil and filter Oil capacity 3.6 qt. (3.4 L)
Filter Hand tighten 1/2-3/4 turn after gasket contact
Chrome filter (XL 1200C) Part no. 63796-77A
Black filter (all except XL 1200C) Part no. 63805-80A
Primary chain tension Deflection with hot engine 1/4-3/8 in. (6.3-9.5 mm)
Deflection with cold engine 3/8-1/2 in. (9.5-12.7 mm)
Chain tensioner nut torque 20-25 ft-lbs (27.1-33.9 Nm)
Primary chain inspection cover torque 40-60
in-lbs
(4.5-6.8 Nm)
Primary chain/
transmission lubricant
Lubricant capacity 32 oz. (946 mL)
Primary chaincase drain plug torque 14-30 ft-lbs (19.0-40.7 Nm)
Clutch adjustment Free play at adjuster screw 1/4 turn
Free play at hand lever 1/16-1/8 (1.6-3.2 mm)
Clutch inspection cover torque 84-108
in-lbs
(9.5-12.2 Nm)
Tire condition and pressure Pressure for solo rider Front: 30 psi (207 kPa)
Rear: 36 psi (248 kPa)
Pressure for rider and passenger Front: 30 psi (207 kPa)
Rear: 40 psi (276 kPa)
Wear Replace tire if 1/32 in. (0.8 mm) or less of tread
pattern remains
Wheel spokes Spoke nipple torque 40-50
in-lbs
(4.5-5.7 Nm)
Steering head bearings Lubricant for neck fitting SPECIAL PURPOSE GREASE
Part no. 99857-97 (14 oz. cartridge)
Brake fluid reservoir level D.O.T. 5 silicone hydraulic brake fluid Part no. 99902-77 (12 oz.)
Part no. 99901-77 (gal)
Proper fluid level (front brake) 1/4 in. (6 mm) from the top of the reservoir
Proper fluid level (rear brake) Upper fluid level in reservoir
Front master cylinder reservoir cover
screws
9-17
in-lbs
(1.0-2.0 Nm)
Brake pad linings and discs Minimum brake pad thickness 0.04 in. (1.02 mm)
Minimum brake disc thickness See stamp on side of disc
Drive belt Upward measurement force applied at
midpoint of bottom belt strand
10

 

Wow..thanks for all the replies guys...and ty glad to be a part of the forum. Yea after i bought i thought it would be too small for me and the wife..but im only 5'8 175 n the wife is 5'5 @ 125 lbs...so the bike seems to handle the weght just fine..and most of our riding is under 2 hours...which makes it awesome bc of the lighter weight..my only quesrion to myself is why in the world didnt i get one years ago...lol