Sportster Transmission Lubrication

Hi folks. After a 15 month "vacation", I am baaaccckkk.

I have searched many threads, but would like some info specific to the Sportster. (in my case, 1997 XLH883).

I am changing engine lubricant to a synthetic, only because I have been lax in changing the engine oil and am riding very little since I relocated to the Houston area. (From Phoenix, AZ).

What TYPE of fluid & weight are some of you folks running in your sportster tranny? Please don't tell me the great benifits of Amsoil v. Bel Ray or Royal Purple etc. (As an aside the R.P. plant is just about 3 miles from me) I don't need a sell on any particular product, just the type of oil/fluid that works for you.

Thanks in advance. I'll be posting new pics of the latest mods on my bike soon. It's quite a bit different than it was 2 years ago!! It's nice to be back.

Merry Christmas to all!

AZroaddust

Hey Cowboy. (A friendly name from the past I might add) . I'm N. up US59 in the wunnnerful berg of Roman Forest where we share the same ZIP code with New Caney. That says something by itself!

Acording to my manual, I have to drain the transmission then take off an inspection cover and fill it 1/2 way or something like that. If it shared the same sump should I have to do that? Am I making any sense at all?? (LOL). I'll go read the manual AGAIN.

Nice hearing from you again too!

the sportster has two holes for oil, the engine oil goes in the oil tank on the right side of the bike below the seat, and the transmission oil is filled either thru the primary chain inspecion cover on the left side primary cover or thru the clutch cover, also on the left side of the bike.
my 02 calls for 20w50 for the engine and a product called formula plus for the transmission. formula plus is a harley product and can be purchased at the dealership.
by the way the transmission and primary share the same oil.
the engine requires three quarts and the transmission/primary gets one quart.

This is right on my friend!!! Easy to change oils this way!!!

Thanks for the input gents . Willymax makes a good point though. My manual does call for 2 different fluids too, so the engine oil must not be shared with the transmission unless I'm missing something here.

With that said, is there a big evil or any major caveats in using 20/50 in both the trans and the engine? I saw somewhere that that was ok??

Yep. Do have a couple of you nearby too. A ride sometime sounds fun!

Thanks again!

There are two separate drains. One on the bottom of the primary, then the plug that goes up to the frame. They are separate. At least on my 96.

the moco recomends using 20w50 oil in the engine and formula plus in the transmission/primary, however mobil 1 synthetic can be used in both holes with no negetive results.
i use the formula plus for the simple reason i bought a case of the stuff and i'm trying to use it up. the sporty doesn't get many miles on it since i bought my bagger so i'll probaably using it for some time to come.
some people that use synthetic in their transmissions claim it reduces the clunk when going from neutral to first, but i'm running synthetic 20w50 in the primary on my ultra classic and have seen no difference in the afore mentioned clunk. could be just the difference in bikes, i don't know.
any way back to the original subject,an evo sporty tranny and primary share a common sump and the motor uses it's own oil in the tank.

Harley used to sell "Sport Trans" Fluid for Sporties before they started selling the primary/tranny fluid for big twins...it was a 75-90 gear oil suitable for wet clutches...which is probably what the formula plus is...you can use any brand you want,just read the label and if it says suitable for wet clutches or limited slip dif additives on it you're good to go.
I like to use engine oil in the engine and gear oil in the tranny.