Engine Oil - Oil Filter

[Bordsnbikes]

Mobil 1 is a very good oil and there would be no problems using it. The difference of oils is the additives and the quality control put into creating it. That being said, Royal Purple all the way.

 

[2003buellxb9s]

I posted this on another thread but am just thinking it also kinda applies to this thread:

Well, I just opened the transmission up to check it out and although the level looks good, I think the fluid itself is all jacked up. I've never looked in a transmission before, but the most "liquid" of the substance inside was a true gray color and then there was this greyish yellowish substance more the consitency of cream that was caked on to the inside of the clutch inspection cover.

it didnt smell burned but it sure as hell looked strange and even a little of the creamy part looked a little bubbly so i guess burned.. damn.

i havent checked the clutch adjustment cause it doesn't "slip" or "drag"..

please help, that just scared me... I will definetly be draining it and will replace it with some royal purple maxcycle or whatever, but like, since its all sludgy do i need to do something else, like should i wipe that **** off the cover???

 

[Thaloc]

I think if you wanted to spend the money you could fill it with max cycle and the drain and fill again and that would prolly get rid of the majority of sludge left over. I know thats what is advised when u think u have debris in the swingarm so id imagine it would be fine for the primary. Might be a bit spendy to do it with Max Cycle.

 

[typeone]

prob got water in your primary.. . check the boot that covers the clutch cable adjuster, might be letting water in there. if the boot isn't sealing well, water runs right down into the primary causing the white sludge.

 

[maybebuell]

any SAE oil... does the manual say motorcycle oil...no thats because test show there is no difference between the two...matter of fact ANy quality sae oil test better then so called motorcycle oil...ya ya there are special additives in motorcycle oil lol..but they wont tell you what they are ya right ...test show there are none ..... your wasting money buying $8 a quart oil when any of the top syn for 1/2 the price will work just as well or better...as far as the primary and clutch slippage goes...only 5w oils have additives that caused clutch slipage

 

[2003buellxb9s]

I think i might typeone... because after changing it this weekend, i rode for about 30 minutes then had to open it back up because when putting back on the lockplate and diaphram spring i accidentally loosened the clutch cable, well i looked inside and there was already more white gunk caked on the clutch inspection cover and i noticed some little white beads of water.. must be getting water in there somehow, i'll check the boot.

 

[2003buellxb9s]

Okay so I checked the boot and sure enough it was super loose up top and water squirted out of the bottom as I adjusted it. I tried to squeeze out all of the water and sealed it up top with some tape for now. hopefully that is where the water is coming in so it can stop contaminating my oil. thanks.

 

[typeone]

good that you cleaned out that connection but you've probably still got water in the lower portion of the cable. i would remove the whole thing and lube it really well.

sealing the top of the boot + packing that connection with grease or similar has been known to help.

glad you located the source!

 

[2003buellxb9s]

Yeah I think I do because I noticed a little bit more of the same gunk again.

so you are saying remove the entire cable?...i haven't looked at it but don't remember seeing anything in the manual about it, i'm sure i can figure it out though.

by saying "packing that connection" are you referring again to lubing the entire cable or just using the grease as a plug so to speak where the boot covers the cable end?

 

[typeone]

if it were my bike, yeah, remove the entire cable and shoot it good with some quality lube. you dont want to push any water or crap back into the primary when over-lubing it to clean it out.

if you have a service manual, it describes how to remove/install the cable. its pretty easy to figure out on the S, but one HUGE word of caution... when you get the cable free from all its mounts (lever, wire guide and clamp) make sure you dont put extra stress on the cable where it enters the side case.

when unscrewing the cable from the case, keep the cable completely straight, as if it were a solid rod. install it in this same fashion and keep the torque on it VERY low. a lot of people have snapped or stripped threads removing/installing the clutch cable. i think its because its hard to keep straight and doesnt need much torque to seat it. ive removed and installed the clutch cable a few times without any issue whatsoever.

as for the 'packed grease' comment, ive just heard of people filling that area with some thick grease to help keep water out. sealing the top portion of the boot and checking often after wash/rain rides has kept mine fine. just another way to combat water getting in there by adding some thick grease. up to you though.

 

[2003buellxb9s]

I also just realized that when i changed the primary oil i only cleaned the inside of the inspection cover, NOT the entire Primary Cover which I have never removed. I guess I'm going to need to take off the entire cover in order to clean it properly which I guess I would have had to do in order to remove the clutch cable anyway?

Also, if i have to replace that gasket the manual sugguests, is that something I will need to order or should they have those at the dealer?

 

[2003buellxb9s]

Okay here's the deal.. I'm thinking that the water is leaking through the cable, BUT, if i remove the primary cover in order to remove the cable or even just to clean the cover..won't this subject me to the risk of leakage through the gasket?

If there is a small amount of water in the cable won't it just eventually work it's way out even it's it though an oil change or two?

ARGH!!!

 

[Thaloc]

Ya any harley dealer should have them. 2.47+tax i just bought on yesterday

Also, if i have to replace that gasket the manual sugguests, is that something I will need to order or should they have those at the dealer?