[scouse]

I think I'm going to install a new drive sprocket and I'm wondering if transmission fluid in the primary case would be an improvement over the 20-50 oil. Would the shifting be smoother? any thoughts.  Scouse

[500KsGerry]

I used Ford ATF in the primary. Helped with clutch slippage.

[greekxj]

I just got my bike not long ago but when i did the change i used ATF type F so i really cant compare it to 20w50. Clutch feels pretty good to me so far and i dont have any complaints whatsoever about it. I just overfilled it like recommended here, almost a full quart of it etc. Will use it again at my 600 mile fluid change.

[bullethead63]

I use ATF type F in all three of my Enfield primary cases,and Valvoline 20 W 50 M/C oil,in the engines,year 'round...

[ScooterBob]

Go with the red juice .... I've been doing that since before it was fashionable - it WORKS .... 

[Ice]

It is rare but occasionally there will be the odd one out that prefers the dino oil over ATF.

[Chasfield]

I have run many different fluids in my primary. With stock clutch plates and springs,  20/50 gave clutch slip with a cold engine.

Thinner multigrades were better. ATF was ok too.

I have 20/50 in there at the moment, same as is in the engine, and it is just ok with the Surflex clutch friction plates that I have installed. The clutch would probably be spot on with ATF - though if helps with clutch slip it may well worsen clutch drag.

Slip and drag are the evil twins of British bike transmissions, sometimes they work alone or, more often, they work together and play as a tag team against your wallet.

 

[dogbone]

Think what components are in an autotrans  Multi disc clutches, and chains.
Ford atf is a heavier grade, the newer atf's like hondoodle's special blend are too slippery, and do not work well

[GreenMachine]

the older machines seem to run on just about anything slippery..i use atf so i can tell if their is a leak in the primary...no problems yet with 8 k and I have changed the primary twice...

[mbevo1]

I had just a touch of slip with my '07 Classic when I went up a tooth on the countershaft sprocket... one steep rise at the right rpm on my morning commute... switched to ATF and have experienced absolutely no probs since... generic ATF is cheap, too...

Mike and S&S in Michigan

[scouse]

Well it's decided then I'll give the ford ATF
a try. Thanks everyone for the input.

[UncleErnie]

A neighbor saeels oil, and he recommended 10-40 motorcycle oil.  I was using the ATF-F and just switched to make him happy.  So far, I notice no difference...

[Blue Ridge Wheeltor]

A neighbor saeels oil, and he recommended 10-40 motorcycle oil.  I was using the ATF-F and just switched to make him happy.  So far, I notice no difference...

For years, that eco captain of the ship Steve Erwin has fought to stop the use of whale oil, and now youir neighbor uses saeel oil. The poor baby saeels. That's just wrong. Shame on you, Uncle Ernie! I thought you were a tree hugger.

[UncleErnie]

Hey- I gotta go where the love is, but there's no trees on glaciers.

(all those icons up ther, but no spell-check...)

Good to see they finally got a computer where you "work".

[ScooterBob]

Think what components are in an autotrans  Multi disc clutches, and chains.
Ford atf is a heavier grade, the newer atf's like hondoodle's special blend are too slippery, and do not work well

The difference between the Ford (Type F) ATF and the Dexron and other, similar formulas is that the Ford-type (or B&M Trick Shift at $10 a bottle!) does not have a FOAMING agent in it. The Ford fluid is pretty much straight hydraulic fluid with no s@#t in it. The Dexron-type fluids have an ingredient that promotes foaming of the fluid for smoother shifts. When rebuilding the Turbo-Slydra-Matics and Torque-less-Flites, I'd use Fords fluid in 'em to make 'em shift nice and crisp. If you put Dexron fluid in the primary of the bike, it'll have red foam coming out of it everywhere in short order ....