Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I am new to Harleys and I bought a new Harley "48" and swapped out the derby cover but my newb "O Ring" forgot to, or actually didnt know to level the bike out before removing the stock derby cover! I lost about a half quart roughly! How do I replace this fluid? What kinda of fluid is this lol? Is it just the regular oil or something different? Ive read to replace this fluid, make sure the bike is upright this time, remove the derby, and fill with fluid to top of the pan (pretty much to the rim just slighly before it starts pouring out again)? What kind of fluid am I dealing with?

If I remember correctly from my Road Glide, you use the same oil for engine and transmission. To fill into the derby cover, use a funnel and push it down between the cover wall and the gears then just fill it like you read--up until it almost starts pouring out. Replace cover, and enjoy the ride.

Please, please, PLEASE if I'm mistaken someone feel free to correct me.

It's primary oil (just did some research because I ought to know this and didn't).
Looks like you can use either HD Formula 1 or your basic motorcycle specific 20W-50 engine oil. Up to you.
But like Jaskc said, get it level, take the cover back off, fill it up until it's RIGHT on the edge of overflowing, then put the cover back on and go for a ride!

Great answers so far!

I just moved this thread to the Garage forums to see if you can get any further exposure...

Cheers!

I'm not too familiar with sporty's, but I don't think you fill it until right before it spills over. The first thing you should do(along with all motorcycle owners) is go to your dealer and by a shop manual. That will tell you everything you need to know, without the possibility of misinformation. They cost about 60 bucks, which seems like a lot, but it'll pay for itself the first time it helps you fix something you didn't need to go to the mechanic for.