Table of Contents

This is an old revision of the document!

REF: Oiling & Lubrication

Transmission \ Primary Oil

About JASO Certifications

  • JASO introduced the MA and MB oil specification to distinguish between friction modified and non friction modified engine oils. Most four-stroke motorcycles with wet clutches need a JASO MA oil. 1)
  • The JASO MA - MB range:
JASO MA JASO MB
Dynamic Friction Characteristic Index (DFI) ≥1.45 and <2.5 ≥0.5 and <1.45
Static Friction Characteristic Index (SFI) ≥1.15 and <2.5
Stop Time Index (STI) ≥1.55 and <2.5 ≥0.5 and <1.55
  • The JASO MA range is further divided into 2 distinct ranges - JASO MA1 and JASO MA2:
JASO MA1 JASO MA2
Dynamic Friction Characteristic Index (DFI) ≥1.45 and <1.8 ≥1.8 and <2.5
Static Friction Characteristic Index (SFI) ≥1.15 and <1.7 ≥1.7 and <2.5
Stop Time Index (STI) ≥1.55 and <1.9 ≥1.9 and <2.5

Transmission Oil Capacities

1959-1991 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)1.5 pints (24 oz) (710 ml)
1991-1992 7)40 ounces (1183 ml)
1993-1994, 1998, 2004 8) 9) 10)32 oz (946 ml)

When to Check/ Change Transmission Fluid

HD Transmission Oil RecommendationsCheck
Change Only If Needed		Change
1959-1978 11) 12)Every 1,000 miles Every 5,000 miles or 1 year,
Every Spring or Fall
1979-1985 13) After first 500 miles,
Every 5,000 miles,
Spring or Fall
1986-2003 14) 15)16)After first 3,000 miles,
Every 2,500 miles after oil changes		After first 500 miles
Every 5,000 miles after
2004 17) After first 1,000 miles,
At first 5,000,
Every 5,000 miles after


Fork Oil

HD Recommendations

  • The MoCo specifies HD Type B or E (and respective equivalents) fork oil depending on year model.
Year ModelFork Oil TypeFork Oil Amount (Wet)Fork Oil Amount (Dry)
1957-1967 all modelsHD Type “B” or equivalent.18) 19)3 1/2 fl oz20)21)4 1/2 fl oz22)23)
1968-1969 all modelsHD Type “B” or equivalent.24) 25)4 1/2 fl oz 26)27)5 1/2 fl oz 28)29)
1970-1972 all modelsHD Type “B” or equivalent.30) 31)5 1/2 fl oz 32)33)6 1/2 fl oz 34)35)
1972-1978 XR-750 20 weight (Ceriani forks)
1980 XR-750 10 weight (Marzocchi forks)
1973-1978HD Type “B” or equivalent.36) 37)5 fl oz (148cc)38)39)6 fl oz (177CC)40)41)
1979-1983 all modelsHD Type “E” (99884-80). 42) 43)5 fl oz (148cc)44)45)6 fl oz (177CC)46)47)
1984-1987 all modelsHD Type “E” (99884-80).48) 49)5.4 fl oz (160CC)50)51) 52)6.4 fl oz (189CC) 53)54)55)
1988-1994, 1998, 2003-2004 (All except 1992-1998 883 Hugger) HD Type “E” (99884-80)9 fl oz (266CC) 56)57)58) 59)60) 61) 62)10.2 fl oz (302CC) 63)64) 65)66)67) 68)
1992-1998 883 Hugger 69)HD Type “E” (99884-80). 70) 71)72) 73) 74)10.7 fl oz (316CC)75) 76)77) 78)12.1 fl oz (358CC)79) 80)81) 82)
Year Model Fork Oil Type Fork Oil Amount Per Side
OzMlInmm
2005-2006 all models (except 883L) 83) 84)85)HD Type “E” (99884-80)11.6342 86)87)5.7514688)89)
2005-2006 883L 90)91)HD Type “E” (99884-80)12.3 92)93)94)364 95)96)4.80 97)98)122 99)100)
2008 all models (except 883L, 1200L, 1200N)HD Type “E” (99884-80)11.63425.75146
2008 883L, 1200L, 1200NHD Type “E” (99884-80)12.33.644.80122
2009 all models (except 883L, 1200L, 1200N)HD Type “E” (99884-80)11.63425.75146
2009 883L, 1200NHD Type “E” (99884-80)13.64013.1179
2009 1200LHD Type “E” (99884-80)12.33644.80122
2010 all models (except 883L, 883N, 1200N)HD Type “E” (99884-80)5.75146
2010 883L, 883N, 1200NHD Type “E” (99884-80)3.1179
2010 1200LHD Type “E” (99884-80)4.80122
2013 883LHD Type “E” (99884-80)12.33644.80122
2013 883NHD Type “E” (99884-80)13.64013.1179
2013 883RHD Type “E” (99884-80)12.43664.92125
2013 1200VHD Type “E” (99884-80)12.43664.92125
2013 1200C, C Aniv, CP, CA, CBHD Type “E” (99884-80)12.43664.72120
2013 1200XHD Type “E” (99884-80)11.43376.34161
HD Type “E” (99884-80)
HD Type “E” (99884-80)
HD Type “E” (99884-80)
HD Type “E” (99884-80)
HD Type “E” (99884-80)
HD Type “E” (99884-80)
  • HD doesn't divulge the highly classified weight of their fork oil. Some say type E is equivalent to 10W, some say it's equivalent to 15W oil or more from other manufacturers. Just keep in mind when changing fork oil, you don't want to mix different used oils together with new oil. Drain and clean all previous oil before installing new oil especially if previous oil is not known.
    • HD has, however, confirmed that type B (0-10W) fork oil is lighter than Type E (5-20). 101) That being said, if you want to stay with HD oils, you can mix B and E for an “X” weight of your choice to tune your forks. All HD fork oils are petroleum based, non-synthetic oils.
  • If you want to use aftermarket fork oil besides the HD brand, it's best to start with an oil weight that has been proven to work in most general situations. The general preferred weight of fork oil is 15(W) on the XLFORUM in whatever flavor you like. So, start by using 15(W) oil as noted and test it yourself. Depending on your weight, the bike's weight including add-ons and baggage, shocks and etc., you might swap to a lower weight fork oil for softer or a heavier weight fork oil for stiffer fork action.
  • A lubricant's viscosity varies with temperature. In some areas, the fork oil is already heated up past 100°F by the sun before you start to ride which lowers viscosity and softens the fork action. Likewise, in the winter months, your forks may never reach up to the low end of the viscosity chart below which keeps the viscosity high thus stiffening fork action.
  • Below is a sample list of alternative fork oils and their published viscosities. Some aftermarket brands include the words “Type E” or “Type B” on their label. Some may say that's to make you feel like your getting the same quality or “Spec” as HD fork oil (especially since there are 26 letters in the alphabet and they chose the same two as HD). After reading through their TDS sheets, it's obvious that different fork oil manufacturers have a different idea of “exactly” what viscosity that HD “B” or “E” actually is. Most brands have their own special additives to condition seals, control foaming, oxidation, rust, corrosion and etc. These additives play their own role in viscosity at certain temperature levels.
  • Most of the data came from SDS or TDS as noted but that can be misleading also. SDS says one viscosity, TDS says something different, SDS viscosity weights obviously reversed (typo), some TDS sheets look to be a cross or makeshift average between a brand's petro and synth weights, incomplete or missing viscosity SDS data….it's enough to make you realize just how tough the oil business' competition is. It is the intent of this article to fill in all the blanks on the fork oil chart, but what is missing was never written by the company(s) that made the product(s).
  • Somewhere in some of the oil SDS data you'll find phrases like “The data presented herein is based upon tests and information, which we believe to be reliable.”, 102) “No warranty or representation, express or implied is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the data and information in this data sheet.” 103)
  • So viscosity really is a 'buyer beware' subject and it's a trial and error to fine tune to your specific needs/ wants/ riding style. The figures on the chart below are subject to change by the respective manufacturers and they are meant as a learning tool of what you are actually buying as opposed to what you are being told you are getting. Check the labels and current SDS/ TDS data before relying on the fact that “this works for the other guy”. Rely on what works best for you regardless of what the data sheets say.

Fork Oil Viscosity Chart

Fork Oil Nominal Viscosity cSt Viscosity cSt Viscosity Visual
Brand Viscosity @ 40°C (104°F) @ 100°C (212°F) Index Color
Maxima104)(petro) 5wt 16.2 4.41 202 Clear
10wt 37.4 7.72 182 Clear
15wt 47.1 8.49 151 Clear
20wt 71.1 11.28 151 Clear
Lucas Oil (synth) 5wt 25.34 5.5 148 Blue- Green
105) 106) 107) 108) 10wt 42 7.6 153Blue- Green
15wt 49.2 8.6 154 Blue- Green
20wt 77.5 12.4 161 Blue- Green
Red Line 109) (synth) “Like Water” 6.24 2.51 365Clear
2.5wt 8.96 4.16 507 Light Blue
5wt 15.87 7.35 512 Yellow tint
10wt 31.66 13.42 438 Light Red
30wt 69 17.5 275 Orange tint
Belray 110) 5wt 17.4 4.2
7wt 29.3 5.5
10wt 36 6.6
15wt 52.9 8
20wt 77.1 10
30wt 115.3 13.1
Amsoil Susp. Fluid 111) 112) (synth) Light #5 15.9 4.4 209 Green
Med #10 31.8 7.3 206 Blue
Motul 113) (synth) 5wt 18.1 4 119 Amber
10wt 36.2 6.1 115
15wt 57.2 8.4 119
20wt 79.5 10.1 106
Motorex Racing Fork Oil 114) 115) (synth) 2.5wt 15.10 4.2 201 Red
5wt 22.6 5.6 205
7.5wt 35.9 7.7 192
10wt
Motorex FORK Oil 116)(petro) SAE 10W/30 68 Yellowish
Castrol Fork Oil (petro)117) 5wt 15 3.8 Clear & Bright
10wt 32 6.3 150 Red
15wt 46 Red
20wt 68 8.6 Red
32 32 5.6 Light Yellow
Castrol Fork Oil (synth) 118) 2.5wt 16.5 4 Red
5wt 28.1 5.7 Red
10wt 42 7.5 150 Red
Spectro fork oil 119) (petrol) 5wt 21.7
10wt 33.3
15wt 47.2
20wt 72.7
Spectro Golden Cartridge 120)(synth) 5wt 16.2 3.5 150
7.5wt 26 4.5 150
Spectro Platinum SX400 121)(synth) 2.5wt 9.2 Clear

PJ1 Fork Oil (petrol)122) (Highly refined mineral oil (C15-C50) is 70-99% weight) Synthetic anti-seal swell additive added. Says they are all of High Viscosity Index and Light Red in color. No viscosity weights are published however even in SDS. As a matter of fact PJ1 has the same SDS data sheet (for and that includes) 6 different weights although they publish that they have 8 different weights. Meets or exceeds OEM is published

Brake System

  • Brake caliper mounting bolt O-rings- Dow Corning 44 grease (“Pin Lube” in parts kit) 123)
  • O.D. of brake caliper piston (including chamfer), caliper piston bore and I.D. of the installed piston seal - Novaguard silicon grease.
  • I.D. of upper caliper (threaded) bushing bore, O.D. of threaded bushing, I.D. of upper and lower caliper mounting pin bores - Dow Corning 44 grease (“Pin Lube” in parts kit) 124)

Brake Fluid

HD Recommendations

Year ModelHydraulic brake fluid Type
1959 to prior to Sept. 1976 production modelsDOT 3125)
Sept. 1976 to 2006DOT 5 (99902-77)126) 127)
2007 and laterDOT 4 128)

When to Check or Change Brake Fluid

Year ModelCheckChange
1959-1969
1970-1978129)Every 2,000 milesEvery 5,000 miles
1979-1985130)Initial 500, then every 2,500 milesEvery 2 years
1986-1990131)Check at initial 500 then every 5,000 miles, prior to storage or annuallyChange/ Replace as needed
1991 to 2003132)Every 300 til and including initial 1,000 miles, then every 5,000 milesReplace as needed

What Type Brake Fluid Do You Have

When in doubt,

  • 1st check your bikes service manual to see what should go in it.
  • Next, get a few drops of brake fluid from your brake reservoir and put them in a small container. Add a few drops of water and mix it all together.
  • If the water mixes with the brake fluid, it is DOT 3, 4 or (5.1).
  • If the water does not mix with the brake fluid it is DOT 5. 133)
The Color Check
  • DOT 3 is available in Clear, Pale Yellow, Blue & Crimson Red.
  • DOT 4 is available in Clear, Pale Yellow & Crimson Red.
  • DOT 5.1 is available Clear, Pale Yellow & Blue.
  • DOT 5 is available in Purple & Violet. 134)

The presence or absence of color is not a safe criteria to distinguish between the different types of brake fluids. The color is added in brake fluid to detect leaks and color does not effect the quality of brake fluid. Since blue and purple sometimes can seem the same color depending on lighting, you could be mixing Dot 5 and DOT (5.1).

Mixing Brake Fluids

  • Mixing different colors of the same type typically won't hurt the system as long as what you are adding to has not been compromised previously if your just topping off your existing fluid.
  • You can typically mix DOT 3,4 and 5.1 fluids without damaging your braking system or compromising your existing braking performance. But as nearly every brake fluid manufacturer will state: doing so is not recommended. Why? Mixing good new fluid and old bad fluid means you will retain the bad fluid's performance and change the temperature ratings of your residual fluid. You can't mix any others with Dot 5 fluids. Mixing the others into Dot 5 would cause a meltdown of the rubber parts and/ or a break down of the silicone and possibly clog up the brake lines causing brake failure. Dot 5 into the others may release clogs into the brake lines also leading to brake failure.
  • If silicone is introduced into an older brake system, the silicone will latch onto the sludge generated by gradual component deterioration and create a gelatin like goop which will attract more crud and eventually plug up metering orifices or cause pistons to stick. If you have already changed to DOT 5, don't compound the problem and change back. You will never get all of the silicone out of your system. Just change the fluid regularly. For those who race using silicone fluid, crack the bleed screws before each racing session to insure that there is no water in the calipers. 135)

DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5.1

  • DOT 3 brake fluids are mixtures of glycols and glycol ethers. DOT 4 contains borate esters in addition to what is in DOT 3. These brake fluids are somewhat similar to automotive anti-freeze (ethylene glycol) and are not a petroleum fluid. Both DOT 3-4 and DOT 5 fluids are compatible with most brake system materials except in the case of some silicone rubber external components such as caliper piston boots 136)
  • The problem with DOT 3-4 fluids is water absorption. DOT 3-4 glycol based fluids, just like ethylene glycol antifreezes, are readily miscible with water. Long term brake system water content tends to reach a maximum of about 3%, which is readily handled by the corrosion inhibitors in the brake fluid formulation. Since the inhibitors are gradually depleted as they do their job, glycol brake fluid, just like anti-freeze, needs to be changed periodically. 137)
  • Fluid boiling point DOT 4 glycol based fluid has a higher boiling point (446F) than DOT 3 (401F), and both fluids will exhibit a reduced boiling point as water content increases.138)
  • DOT 5.1 is also glycol-based and it's major difference to Dot 3 and 4 is it's dry boiling point (minimum 518F).

DOT 5

  • Dot 5 is of silicone chemistry and not being water miscible, it must rely on the silicone (with some corrosion inhibitors) as a barrier film to control corrosion. Water is not absorbed by silicone as in the case of DOT 3-4-5.1 fluids, and will remain as a separate globule sinking to the lowest point in the brake system, since it is more dense. 139)
  • Dot 5 in its pure state offers a higher boiling point (500F) however if water got into the system, and a big globule found its way into a caliper, the water would start to boil at 212F causing a vapor lock condition (possible brake failure). DOT 3 fluid with 3% water content would still exhibit a boiling point of 300F. Silicone fluids also exhibit a 3 times greater propensity to dissolve air and other gasses which can lead to a “spongy pedal” and reduced braking at high altitudes. 140)

Brake Fluid Boiling Points

  • Dry Boiling Point: This is the temperature that your brake fluid will boil when its straight out of the sealed bottle. When there has been effectively no time for it to absorb any moisture. If you are racing on a track, you are most concerned with this value, since the fluid in your lines is likely to be freshly added. 141)
  • Wet Boiling Point: This is the temperature that your brake fluid will boil when its been inside your braking system for a reasonably long time. How long it takes to get to this saturation point will vary by fluid type, but a good rule of thumb is the higher the dry boiling point, the faster the fluid will saturate (an informal sort of standard is…not always - used by fluid manufacturers: the wet boiling point is the reading taken after fluid has been sitting for one year in your brake lines). If you are riding mainly on the street the wet boiling point is going to be the one you want to pay attention to since the fluid will typically stay in your brake lines for an extended period of time. 142)

SAE Testing Brake Fluid Lubricity

  • SAE is currently working on modernizing testing and standards for automotive brake fluids. Below are the standards that relate to brake fluid and their corresponding standard number.
    • J1703- Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid Jul 20, 2015
    • J1704- Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid Based Upon Glycols, Glycol Ethers and the Corresponding Borates Jul 20, 2015
    • J1705- Low Water Tolerant Brake Fluids Apr 21, 2014
    • J1707- Service Maintenance of SAE J1703 and J1704 Brake Fluids in Motor Vehicle Brake Systems

1)
http://www.oilspecifications.org/jaso.php
2)
1959-1969 HD Sportster FSM pg 1A-3
3)
1970-1978 HD Sportster FSM pg 1-1
4)
1979-1985 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
5)
1986-1990 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
6)
1991 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
7)
1991-1992 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
8)
1993-1994 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
9) , 58) , 70) , 75) , 79)
1998 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
10) , 56) , 63)
2004 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
11)
1959-1969 HD Sportster FSM pg 1B-6
12)
1970-1978 HD Sportster FSM pg 1-5
13)
1979-1985 HD Sportster FSM pg 1-2
14)
1986-1990 HD Sportster FSM pg 1-2
15)
1991-1992 HD Sportster FSM pg 1-2
16)
1993-1994 HD Sportster FSM pg 1-2
17)
2004 HD Sportster FSM pg 1-7
18) , 24) , 30) , 36) , 42) , 48) , 73) , 125) , 127)
Clymer Repair Manual for Sportsters 1959-1985 pg 83
19) , 25) , 31) , 37) , 41) , 43) , 47) , 49) , 52) , 55) , 69) , 74) , 78) , 82)
Haynes Service Manual for Sportsters 1970-2010 pg 1.3
20) , 22) , 26) , 28)
1959-1969 HD Sportster FSM pg 2F-15
21) , 23) , 27) , 29) , 33) , 35)
Clymer Repair Manual for Sportsters 1959-1985 pg VIII
32) , 34) , 38) , 40)
1970-1978 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-21
39) , 45)
(Haynes Service Manual for Sportsters 1970-2010 pg 1.3
44) , 46) , 51) , 54)
1979-1985 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-47
50) , 53)
1986 - 1988 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-44
57) , 64)
2003 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
59) , 65) , 71) , 76) , 80)
1993 - 1994 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-46
60) , 66) , 72) , 77) , 81)
1991 - 1992 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-41
61) , 67)
1986-1988 HD FSM pg 2-47
62)
1986 - 1990 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-48
68)
1988 - 1990 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-48
83) , 93)
Thanks to IXL2Relax for FSM info
84) , 86) , 88) , 90) , 92) , 95) , 97) , 99)
2005 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
85) , 87) , 89) , 91) , 94) , 96) , 98) , 100)
2006 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
101)
Q&A question 1 http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/fork-oil
102)
http://www.redlineoil.com/content/files/tech/830008_MEDIUM%2010WT%20SYNTHETIC%20SUSPENSION%20FLUID.pdf
103)
http://msdspds.castrol.com/ussds/amersdsf.nsf/Files/9D9FBAAFC91BE60A80257F6B00580DDD/$File/11067450.pdf
104)
Maxima fork oil http://www.maximausa.com/product/fork-oil/
105)
http://lucasoil.com/pdf/TDS_Lucas-Syn-Fork-Oil-Light5WT.pdf
106)
http://lucasoil.com/pdf/TDS_Lucas-Syn-Fork-Oil-Medium10WT.pdf
107)
http://lucasoil.com/pdf/TDS_Lucas-Syn-Fork-Oil-Heavy15WT.pdf
108)
http://lucasoil.com/pdf/TDS_Lucas-Syn-Fork-Oil-ExtraHeavy20WT.pdf
109)
Red line 10wt http://www.redlineoil.com/content/files/tech/830008_MEDIUM%2010WT%20SYNTHETIC%20SUSPENSION%20FLUID.pdf
110)
Belray http://mahonkin.com/~milktree/motorcycles/fork-oil.html
111)
Amsoil Light 5 https://www.amsoil.com/msds/stl.pdf
112)
Amsoil med 10 https://www.amsoil.com/msds/stm.pdf
113)
Motul fork oil https://www.motul.com/system/product_descriptions/technical_data_sheets/90/original/Fork_Oil_Expert_%28GB%29.pdf?1454681883
114)
Motorex racing http://www.motorexusa.com/msds/171-502_US_RACING_FORK_OIL_LOW_25W.pdf
115)
http://www.motorexusa.com/tech/Racing%20Fork%20Oil%202,5W_5W_7,5W.pdf
116)
Motorex FORK Oil http://www.motorexoil.ee/ofile.php?id=625
117) , 118)
http://msdspds.castrol.com/msdspds/msdspds.nsf/CastrolResults?OpenForm&c=All&l=English%20(GB)&p=fork%20oil&n=&b=All&t=All&autosearch=No&autoload=No&sitelang=EN&output=Full&spu=Lubricants&unrestrictedmb=No&cols=0
119)
Spectro fork oils http://www.spectro-oils.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/forkoil.pdf
120)
Spektro Golden Cartridge http://www.spectro-oils.com/wp-content/techsheets/Golden%20Cartridge%20Fork.pdf
121)
http://www.spectro-oils.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Spectro®-Platinum-SX400-Shock-and-Fork-Fluid-2.5-W-.pdf
122)
http://pj1.com/attachment/127709-AA-M-2.25WX.pdf
123) , 124)
1998 HD XLH FSM
126) , 131)
1986-1990 HD Sportster FSM
128)
http://sportsterpedia.com/doku.php/sportster_history:start#sportster_parts_chart
129) , 130)
1959-1969 Clymer Sportster Repair Manual
132)
1986-2003 Clymer Sportster Repair Manual
133)
http://www.belray.com/how-determine-what-brake-fluid-your-bike
134)
http://advancepetro.com/differentbrakefluid.htm
135) , 136) , 137) , 138) , 139) , 140)
http://importnut.net/brakefluid.htm
141) , 142)
https://www.lelandwest.com/brake-fluid-comparison-chart.cfm
143)
article by Matt Robertson
144)
Seine Systems
145)
article by Marc Randolph
This website uses cookies for visitor traffic analysis. By using the website, you agree with storing the cookies on your computer.More information

Trace: • REF: Oiling & Lubrication