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[how2]

How much oil should be in trans with the bike in the upright position, not on the kickstand and should it be hot or cold?

[skratch]

can't give you a definitive answer without knowing what bike/year you have.  hd has changed the procedure and specs a couple of times, so i can tell you what it would be for my 2019, but that may or may not be valid for your application.

but, i'm pretty sure [/s] that your owners manual will outline the spec and the checking procedure for you.

[grc]

How much oil should be in trans with the bike in the upright position, not on the kickstand and should it be hot or cold?

Just thought I'd offer a suggestion that might help you get answers to your questions on the forum.  Go into your profile and put in the model and year of your current bike so it will show up in all your posts.  When people do that and keep it updated, they are less likely to get a bunch of responses that don't apply to your particular year and model, or responses asking what year and model are you talking about.

Btw, I looked at your earlier posts and it appears you have a 2019 FLHXSE. Is that correct?

Jerry

[grc]

Your owners manual will have the exact specs for your bike as well as the method for checking the fluids.  The transmission is normally checked cold and on the jiffy stand on a touring model.  As for the amount, it will vary slightly depending on how completely the old oil was drained. If I remember correctly the lubricant change spec is 28 ounces for a drain and refill, and 32 ounces for a completely dry trans (initial fill).  The proper way to fill it is to start with slightly less than the spec (say 24 ounces for instance), then check with the dipstick and add small amounts until the level is between the Add and Full marks on the dipstick.

This is the trans fluid check procedure per the manual:

Check transmission fluid with the motorcycle at ambient temperature. Inspect transmission dipstick O-ring. Replace if necessary.

1.  Park motorcycle on a level surface on jiffy stand.
   
2. Remove transmission filler plug/dipstick. Wipe dipstick clean.
   
3. Install filler plug/dipstick until O-ring contacts the case. Do not tighten.
   
4. Remove filler plug/dipstick. Check lubricant level on dipstick. Proper oil level is between the Add (A) (1) and Full (F) (2) marks.
   
5. If lubricant level is low, add recommended Harley-Davidson lubricant to bring level to between the A mark and the F marks.

6. Install filler plug/dipstick. Tighten to specification.  Torque: 2.8–8.5 N·m (25–75 in-lbs)
   

Jerry

[GloryDayz]

Has anybody noticed the difference between the 2012 and 2013 HD owner's manual instructions for checking transmission fluid?  The 2012 manual says to not screw it in, just rest it on the threads; the 2013 says to screw it in just until the O-ring hits.  This confuses me greatly...  Did they really change the dipstick between the 2012 and 2013 models?

I hope these links work for people:

2012 - https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson.com/sip/content/document/view?viewLatest=true&id=1952428854645730733&groupId=#464874!!7!5805
2013 - https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson.com/sip/content/document/view?id=1952428810735561133#464924!!4!5806

[Aussie]

Has anybody noticed the difference between the 2012 and 2013 HD owner's manual instructions for checking transmission fluid?  The 2012 manual says to not screw it in, just rest it on the threads; the 2013 says to screw it in just until the O-ring hits.  This confuses me greatly...  Did they really change the dipstick between the 2012 and 2013 models?

I hope these links work for people:

2012 - https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson.com/sip/content/document/view?viewLatest=true&id=1952428854645730733&groupId=#464874!!7!5805
2013 - https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson.com/sip/content/document/view?id=1952428810735561133#464924!!4!5806

That's interesting, I have always put in a full quart will oil level at the F Level.

[GloryDayz]

That's interesting, I have always put in a full quart will oil level at the F Level.

Agree, but it's amazing to see Harley pretty much make a thing like checking fluids (long after you've added that perfect quart) difficult to be sure you're doing right.  I say that because when I go on long rides while I may not check the transmission fluid every day like I do engine oil, I do like to check it every 1000-1500 miles, just to be sure.  And don't even get me started on the Primary not having any sort of way to check/verify without pulling off the derby cover.  I'm sort of a paranoid person when it comes to fluids, checking them and changing them, but my dad (God rest his soul) beat it into me many decades ago...

But thanks for the reply, I'll continue to endeavor..   

[SIKBIRD]

I think the change in procedures is due to the ambiguity with the prior procedure.  I mean what the hell does resting on the treads even mean?  Should you put pressure on the dipstick so it’s at the same angle as it would be when screwed in? Or just drop it in so it’s at a sharper angle?

[GloryDayz]

I think the change in procedures is due to the ambiguity with the prior procedure.  I mean what the hell does resting on the treads even mean?  Should you put pressure on the dipstick so it’s at the same angle as it would be when screwed in? Or just drop it in so it’s at a sharper angle?

You're not wrong... But between "hot", "room temp", jiffy stand, level, it's amazing to know if your year bike has the right fluid levels.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

[r0de_runr]

I don't think quantity of lube is critical.
My 2019 Limited that I bought with 20k miles on had the trans-lube-to-primary transfer problem. Bike was due a 20k service so I did all 3 holes.
Transmission had maybe ⅓ qt of lube, and primary had the rest. No idea how long or how frequently the transmission was ran low on lubricant. 
I had vent installed and rode it another 25k trouble free miles.
I check trans cold on sidestand and screw it in. If any shows on dipstick I'm happy (but not overfull).