What is Motorcycle Primary Fluid?

We all know what motorbike fluid or oil is and why we use them, now the question arises, What is Motorcycle Primary Fluid?

Motorcycle primary fluid is the lubricant used to lubricate motorcycle primary chaincase such as a clutch plate. In the absence of a motorcycle primarily fluid, your motorbike will likely face burn clutch problems. Although motorcycle oil or lubricant is different from the primary fluid, many motorbikes’ lubricate fluids come with dual-use.

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about motorbike primary fluid. 

What is Motorcycle Primary Fluid?

We all know much crucial[ the motorbike oil is, now the question arises, what is the motorcycle’s primary fluid.

Motorcycle primarily fluid is a lubricant which manufacturers use to protect your motorbike primary chaincase from burning by heating due to friction. 

Motorcycle primary fluid is made from less viscous oil for max lubrication and some additives, making primary fluid a bit long. This fluid is made so that it absorbs maximum heat from the clutch plate, which was generated from the heating due to friction. 

Will Low Oil Cause a Motorcycle Not to Start? 

We all know how crucial your motorbike oil is for a motorbike, but now the question arises, will low oil cause a motorcycle not to start? 

Before understanding this issue, I want you to understand why we insert oil in the motorbike. 

Your motorbike engine contains a piston and a cylinder. It only works when the piston in the cylinder goes up and down, and the movement creates friction between the cylinder and piston. 

Since this friction creates overheating and causes poor fuel economy, too, to avoid this, we use motorcycle oil. 

And your motorbike oil has nothing to do with your motorbike if it’s not starting. 

Can Primary Chain Case Cause Malfunction? 

So far, you understand what primary fluid is; now the question arises, can primary chain chase malfunction without lubrication? 

Primarily fluid is just like another motorcycle oil that helps lubricate your motorbike engine parts; without the fluid, the primary chaincase would be burned off. 

If your motorbike chassis ever burns off, then you won’t run your motorbike for a longer time and may need new motorbike parts if its malfunctions are severe. 

What Will Happen if Your Motorbike Oil is Low? 

So far, you understand that low isn’t the main reason your motorbike isn’t starting. The question arises: What will happen if your motorbike oil is low. 

As explained earlier, your motorbike needs oil in the engine to function correctly and smoothly; without motorbike oil, your motorbike engine will start to overheat and give poor fuel economy. 

Without motorbike oil, your engine will produce a whining sound and start to give off a burnt smell. 

Also, your motorbike may experience burnt clutch plates, severe piston and cylinder malfunction, low fuel economy, and an overall decrease in performance.  

In simpler words, motorbike oil is only used for reducing the friction between cylinder and piston, and it has nothing to do with your motorbike not starting. 

Why Your Motorbike isn’t Starting? 

So far, you understand what your motorbike oil does for the engine. Now the question arises: What could go wrong if your motorbike isn’t starting. 

According to industry experts, if your motorbike isn’t starting, then there’s something wrong with your motorbike battery, stator, or fuel line. 

If your motorbike is dead, then it’s better to recharge it again or, even better, take the battery to a technician. And if your motorbike fuel line malfunctions, then you should at least check whether there’s any fuel leakage or not. 

A stator is a device responsible for recharging your battery when riding a motorbike. If your stator malfunctions, your battery will stop recharging, causing the battery to die. 

Doesn’t matter what’s the reason behind your motorbike malfunctioning; experts recommend checking the above reasons and taking the motorbike to the technician. 

Can You Use Motorbike Oil in Primary Chaincase? 

So far, you understand what could possibly be wrong when you don’t insert motorbike primary fluid in the chaincase, but have you wondered whether you can use motorbike oil in the primary chaincase? 

According to many experts, you can use motorbike oil in the motorbike chaincase instead of primary fluid, but the only condition is that your motorbike supports it. 

Some V twin engine motorbikes, like victory motorbikes, support using motorbike oil in the primary chain case. But motorbikes like expensive Harleys don’t support using motorbike oil in the chain case. 

For more information, refer to your motorbike manual or ask the dealer about the same. 

Which has More Viscosity, Transmission Oil, or Primary Fluid? 

So far, you understand that you can’t use transmission oil in the primary chaincase, but have you wondered which fluid has more viscosity? 

According to experts, transmission oil is more viscous than primary chain case. It’s because the transmission or engine generates more heat than the primary chassis.

And to absorb more heat and lubricate the engine effectively, the manufacturer made the transmission oil a more dense and potent heat absorber. 

Whereas motorbike primary like clutch plate doesn’t generate much heat than that of transmission or engine and thus manufacturers made primary fluid which can’t absorb much heat. 

When to Change Motorcycle Primary Fluid? 

So far, you understand that engine oil is more viscous than the primary fluid; now, when should you change your motorcycle’s primary fluid? 

According to experts, there’s no specific time limit when you should change your motorbike to be primarily fluid. But you should always aim for changing the fluid at every maintenance. 

While some riders choose to change the motorbike’s primary fluid after crossing the 2800-4000 miles, you can even change the primary fluid before that. 

Many riders don’t know that the primary fluid changing duration is highly dependent on the weather and place. For instance, if you’re living in a place with hot weather, you may need to change the primary fluid before the recommended limit. 

And if you’re living where you do off riding a lot, you may also need to change the motorbike’s primary fluid frequently. 

Also, read my previous post where I discussed why you should change the motorbike oil after some period and what’re some benefits of changing the motorbike oil, CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

What is Motorcycle Primary Fluid? Motorcycle primary fluid is the lubricant used to lubricate motorcycle primary chaincase such as a clutch plate. 

In the absence of a motorcycle primarily fluid, your motorbike will likely face burn clutch problems. Although motorcycle oil or lubricant is different from the primary fluid, many motorbike lubricant fluids come with dual-use.

I’ve also mentioned what could be wrong when you don’t insert any fluid in the motorbike primary and the time and distance limit in which you should change the primary motorcycle fluid.