Good rule of thumb to follow, I am the same way.

 

The extra 6 oz are to do a better job lubricating the compensator. Use 38 oz. Put in 32 oz and I bet your compensator will make more noise, at least most do and you will be able to tell which bikes are using only 32 oz.

 

Gee would I run my car a quart low of its 5 quart oil capacity? Simple answer? No!

 

And yet the same number of people who would never short change the primary or trans of it's recommended amount of oil will run 1/2 quart lower in the engine so that there is less oil puking out of the air cleaner.

I still don't know how the oil level of a remote oil bag computes to more or less oil out the air cleaner but it's been mentioned on this forum many, many times as a possible solution.

Weird huh?

lp

 

Damn, you beat me to it.

Not to mention, that oil in the motor is serving as a coolant as it goes through the system and the oil cooler, unlike the sealed system of the primary.

A couple of years ago, the capacity of the primary was 32 oz., and the tranny was 32 oz. Now the primary is 38 and the tranny is 28, but if I only use 28 in the tranny, it is down to the add mark on the dip stick on my Limited (it takes about 31, but the service manual calls for 28.). 4 Qts. of oil in the wife's tri will slightly overfill it. The best plan is a visual look at the level in the Primary and go by the dipstick in the tranny and engine.

I regularly service three Ultras, a 2012 Limited, a 2012 Tri, and a 2013 Tri. Each one is a little different in capacity based on visual checks and dip sticks.

Bill

 

Internet myth using syn in primary makes no difference none not one bit if you want to waste the money.

 

And you still got the math wrong...skippy - Jeez

 

Are we talking primary oil or transmission? As per the 2011 service manual

"Add the recommended Genuine Harley Davidson lubricant as necessary....The transmission fluid capacity is approximately 32 fluid ounces (0.95 liters)

"Primary chaincase lubricant refill capacity"
38 oz (1.12 L) wet
45 oz (1.33 L) dry

changed all three holes yesterday, tranny will be over filled at 38 oz IMHO.

 

OP corrected it to be the PRIMARY that was in question

 

I like to keep my tranny on the low side of full, however I think 6 oz. might be a little lower than that. I find the bike shifts better and finds neutral easier when on the low side of the stick.