I did not change the primary oil when I purchased the bike, as it's my first bike, and I didn't know enough. Motor oil looks fine, and has been changed a few times. I'm aware that the primary and transmission share that fluid. On the HD online store, when looking at oil change kits specific to the sportster, regular 20W-50, SYN3 20W-50, Formula+, and 80W-140 gear oil are all options. I picked up the Royal Purple gear oil locally, as I like the brand. I didn't realize the gear oil didn't reach the MA2 rating required for wet clutches. I'll switch to Royal Purple Max Cycle 20W-50 which does meet MA2.

I don't ever just idle the bike and not ride it. I let it idle for a couple minutes to warm up before a ride while I put on my gear. My rides are usually 20-30 minutes, and the last couple rides the head temp got up to 350-360. Usually I see 320-340. I'm a semi truck driver, so the bike sits for 3-4 weeks outside, under a cover. I did not check the primary fluid until now. Both cover gaskets looked fine. The drain plug o-ring needed replaced, but wasn't leaking. I've got a different air cleaner on the bike with a K&N E-3120 filter which I just cleaned and re-oiled, and spark plugs are fairly fresh as well.

I've never had condensation in the motor oil, which I've changed a few times.

 

Ride the bike and circulate the new oil then change it again to rinse out all the old oil and coat the internals with the fresh oil

 

If I were to buy a used bike unless it had detailed service records, I would change all 3 holes the first week. But thats just me.

 

While I agree on theory, saying never ride your bike unless going to be 30 minutes is extreme and for people who do not ride much.

I like to ride my bike so it gets plenty of short trips, I prefer to use it instead of auto.

Fall I do try to make sure longer rides because sitting more.

In this guy's case,just change the oil, and world will be fine I suspect. Change it more often if not getting a lot of miles.

If sitting for weeks because of work,it probably wouldn't hurt for the last ride to be long enough to cook moisture out before parked

Being parked outside maybe he is getting more condensation. And then he doesn't ride because of work. So maybe changing yearly would be good. Run dino oil since changing often

 

You got me lost, where's that 3rd hole on a Sportster?

 

That's the thing, I've changed the engine oil a few times already, and there's no moisture there.
I did change most of the easy consumable items on the bike when I got it. Engine oil and filter, spark plugs, new air cleaner. Same with my 2000 Monte Carlo I bought used. Had to flush that things radiator quite a few times. I guess the primary just slipped my mind, or I fell victim to the modern idea you don't need to mess with the transmission.

 

Well, you have to assume the previous owner never changed the primary oil, and it's just accumulated moisture, not caused by your riding habits. I would take it for a long hot ride to make sure it's all warm, drain it out, and put in fresh oil. Then take a look at it in 500 miles. It only takes one quart of oil, so it's not much to replace.

Your engine oil is going to always run hotter than your primary oil for sure, so it's not hard to see how the primary oil needs more time to fully expel moisture. I can't recall anyone ever posting their normal transmission oil temperatures, but I would not be surprised if it were at least 30 degrees lower than the engine oil.

John

 

Just over the creek from the 2nd green. A short, dog leg left, along the old highway. Par 4, 380 yards.

John

 

Good joke there Jim, here's only two filler holes on a Sportster, there's three on a big twin, of couse you knew that, didn't you?

 

Don't turn on each other. You knew what he meant.