first time harley owner. i am changing all the fluids out on my 99 fxst. where is the drain plug on the tranny located? i see what looks like one on the right side below the side plate, but have been told it is on the bottom of the tranny between the shocks. it is kinda hard to see up there with the bike on the jack and seems like it would be harder still to see it with it on the ground, but i cannot see one on the bottom side. thanks!

 

Use a small mirror and you'll see the drain plug toward the rear of the shocks. A 3/4" socket with a 3" extension removes the plug. When you re-install the plug, check the o-ring, apply a small amount of oil to the o-ring, and use the long end of aa 1/4" allen wrench to start of plug (then tighten with the socket of the torque value). Awkward, yes, at least for the first time, snap thereafter.

Forgot to mention that I ride an '04 FXST (which may difffer from yours)

 

mines on the side beneith the plate like you stated. I think it depends on the year and the model, some are on the bottom between the shocks.

 

thanks! i will double check after i get it of the moto jack., i hope its under there, because that small side plug looks like it will make a hell of a mess, on top of having to take the muffler off to get a funnel next to it so it does not make such a mess.

 

is yours a small allen head plug? how do you drain it? pull the muffler and put a funnel there?

 

yep thats it, I leave the muffler on and I take a piece of cardboard and make a ramp to a drain pan. I still manage to make a mess about 30% of the time, simple green will clean it right up. Taking the muffler off would make it easier to get a wrench on the plug, but I have universal joints on the socket.

 

I would recommend you buy a service manual before you work on your bike. $40-50 worth of insurance.