Table of Contents
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) |
- 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 Recommendations | Check 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
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