I know I should have posted this in the "do it yourself"section, but I wanted to direct this question directly to Sportster owners. I have a '07 XL883 bought in Feb. and I will soon be at the 1,000 mile service time. I have decided to do the 1,000 mile service myself, as my remote location makes it tough to get it to the dealer, and I am confident to try it myself. I have already changed the oil twice, once at 50 miles and again at 100 miles. I will change again at 1,000. Concerning the tranny and primary, the owners manual and the Service Manual states that you should pull the clutch(Derby) cover to change the tranny oil. Is that really necessary? I will be removing the primary chain adjustment cover to inspect and adjust the chain if it needs it, so why can't I refill the tranny with new fluid there with out pulling the clutch(derby)cover and dealing with the quad ring? Thanks to anyone who will give me advice on this matter................meathead

 

From what I have done myself and read here is that nowadays, if you drain the primary/tranny thoroughly (like you should, with the cycle standing upright and not on the jiffy stand), one 32 oz bottle of fluid will be all you need, and this can be poured through the chain inspection cover. Check for big bits of metal (bad but unlikely) and tiny little shavings on the drain plug magnet (normal) and clean 'em off.

 

Sure you could/can...

But with the derby cover off you can do a little inspection of the pieces and parts for any unsual wear and such... To each his own I would think...

Charlie D.

 

because I think you need it off to check the proper level.... and what everyone else said

 

I always fill my oil with the derby cover off. I feel it makes it easier and you can see the level of the fluid. just make sure the gasket is back where it should be and the spring is stright. the hardest part was getting the torx head screws out. I replaced those screws with allen head screws.

 

You can, but as others have said, you can look around a little. At 1000K you should also be adjusting the clutch if needed. Derby cover off for that. If you do take the cover off, mind the clutch spring inside the cover. Almost lost mine because it fell out and then I wondered where it came from. P.S. If you don't have a service manual...get one! Dave

 

I do what nickdv9said. One quart thru the inspecion cover. Clutch wear is minimal at 1000 miles, and you don't need to look at the clutch to see if it needs adjusting. You left hand will tell you that.