Ironhead gearbox oil ?

[chilly]

Right-don't want an oil debate thankyou,would just like to know.

Can i use ATF in the G/Box -Transmission in a 72 sporty.

Going to a dealers for oil is not an option at the moment.

Thankyou

[Jonnyrod]

Since the primary and tranny share common fluid I would say no.You need the heavier visc oil for the tranny but the ATF is o.k. for a primary drive if they are isolated.

[chilly]

Thats what i would have thought JR,but my Clymer says yes ?
Thanks for the reply

[Scotty]

Originally Posted by Jonnyrod

Since the primary and tranny share common fluid I would say no.You need the heavier visc oil for the tranny but the ATF is o.k. for a primary drive if they are isolated.

Totally agree.

[the_french_owl]

Hi Chilly,

I use ATF in my wet clutch Sporty trannies, it helps both the clutch release and the gear change.

Me thinks if it's good enough for a car V8 and its torque, it must be OK in a smaller H-D V Twin...

Patrick

[BaZa®]

I know Kiwidave recommends this ATF only:

Type F or G (not Dextron)

[chilly]

Thankyou folks,thats what i needed to know

Out of interest Patrick,what grade/type do you use.
Would the Dextron type be to slippy for the clutch plates,is that the reason Kiwi says not to use it,or is Dextron a different type of ATF just not suitable for my use ?

[bazereid]

Alan, if yours is the same as a 75 Sporty please be aware that the primary case and gearbox are one as far as lubrication is concerned. The trapdoor retaining the gearbox cluster has holes to allow the oil to pass freely between the two. Now you wouldnt want to run a Sportster gearbox on ATF as the results would soon be expensive. Your local Indipendant dealer should have the correct oil (Sport trans) one container of which is sufficient for the job, should just start dripping from the level screw hole as you tip the last of it in. If you cant get that a good quality light gear oil will work. It shouldnt effect the clutch as the level in the primary case is low enough not to effect it.

[kiwidave]

You've surprised me there Patrick! I would have said a firm NO to ATF in a Sporty for the reasons Barrie and Jonnyrod have pointed out.

Learning more every day....

[chilly]

Certainly thrown an interesting spanner in the works for me ,i was sure that ATF wouldn't be right for the job as it was going in a G/Box,i use it in the primary side on most of my bikes with very satisfactory results.

I've got a mate who works as a mechanic in the Agricultral world,and he reckons some G/Boxes will run ok on ATF ?

The plot thickens