Primary oil drain - hot or cold

  • Red FLHTK
    Red FLHTK
    11 years ago

     Here's the question - oil drains easier when it's hot but the clutch needs to be adjusted at room temperature, ambient air temperature. So when draining the primary oil and adjusting the clutch, should the bike be riden first to warm up the oil, or drain it while it is cold, and then adjust the clutch?

  • Crowy
    Crowy
    11 years ago
    .

    As there's bugger all oil in the primary, i'd drain it cold & then adjust.

    If you choose to drain it hot, you can always let it cool before adjusting the clutch.

    your choice

  • Red FLHTK
    Red FLHTK
    11 years ago

    Less than a liter I think, to enable the two jobs to be done at the same time I will do it cold. Thanks for the reply 

  • Filthy
    Filthy
    11 years ago

    I drain it hot. Haven't found it necessary to adjust the clutch in 40,000km.......

    Philthy

  • V2Evo96
    V2Evo96
    11 years ago
    I usually drain mine hot, let it cool overnight and adjust clutch and fill one quart only. I have no objections to doing a cold drain as I reckon most of the crap will be settled at the bottom and come out with the drain flush out. I don't feel Primary case drains are critical drains.

    I always drain the engine oil while warm/hot though.
  • Daggs
    Daggs
    11 years ago
    Get bike warm/hot, drain oil then adjust clutch when cooled down
  • Red FLHTK
    Red FLHTK
    11 years ago

     I think this is the go. Oil drains better when hot, but the clutch pack needs to be adjusted when cold. Reason - when clutch pack gets hot it expands and therefore if adjusting when hot it's got nowhere to go, and slips. If its adjusted when cold, as it heats up it has room to move. Clutch adjustment isn't just the cable.