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 / Primary Oil Capacities

1957-1990 2) 3) 4) 5) 1.5 pints (24 oz) (710 ml)
1991-1992 6) 40 ounces (1183 ml)
1993-1996, 1998, 2004 7)8) 9) 10)32 oz (946 ml)
  • Discrepancy in the 1991 FSM. It shows 1.5 pints of oil for primary / transmission.11) 1991-1992 FSM corrected the 1991 book showing 40 oz for both years.12)
  • Note that for 1994-later, the manual says “Verify that lubricant level is even with bottom of clutch diaphragm spring.” Not higher or lower, but even with the diaphragm spring. It also includes this warning: “Do not overill the primary chaincase with lubricant. Overfilling may cause rough clutch engagement and incomplete disengagement (or clutch drag).”

When to Check/ Change Transmission Fluid

HD Transmission Oil RecommendationsCheck
Change Only If Needed
Change
1959-1978 13) 14)Every 1,000 miles Every 5,000 miles or 1 year,
Every Spring or Fall
1979-1985 15) After first 500 miles,
Every 5,000 miles,
Spring or Fall
1986-2003 16) 17)18)After first 3,000 miles,
Every 2,500 miles after oil changes
After first 500 miles
Every 5,000 miles after
2004 19) After first 1,000 miles,
At first 5,000,
Every 5,000 miles after


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) , 12)
1991-1992 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
7)
1993-1994 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
8)
1995-1996 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
9)
1998 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
10)
2004 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
11)
1991 HD Sportster FSM pg 2-1
13)
1959-1969 HD Sportster FSM pg 1B-6
14)
1970-1978 HD Sportster FSM pg 1-5
15)
1979-1985 HD Sportster FSM pg 1-2
16)
1986-1990 HD Sportster FSM pg 1-2
17)
1991-1992 HD Sportster FSM pg 1-2
18)
1993-1994 HD Sportster FSM pg 1-2
19)
2004 HD Sportster FSM pg 1-7
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