I just did it.......!

[harleybiker]

I just changed my oil by myself, oil, O-ring, and filter. I know to many of you it's not a big deal but for me it was and is a big deal. I feel proud with accomplishment and the whole job didn't take much longer than 30-45 minutes. Also used a bit of the blue loctite on the drain plug. Old O-ring was shredded. Put a K&N chrome filter on and replaced with Amsoil Syn oil, 3 quarts. Took her out for a ride of about forty miles or so and no leaks on my garage floor. Oh and I torqued the drain plud to 15lbs. Does all of this sound logical and correct? Thanks.
hb

[Wild1Poet2]

Hey congrats! Welcome to the Zen of motorcycle maintenance. The hardest part is cleaning up and getting rid of the used oil. It takes so long to go down the drain.

just kidding

[arthureld]

Congrats. I used red loctite so I never have to change my oil again. lol

[cprteacher]

I just changed my fluids for the first time in a long time as I don't have the $ to pay my mechanic any more! You might be interested in the DVD from Fixmyhog.com if you want to learn how to do more. I have it and I take the lap top into the shop with me just to make sure I follow instructions correctly. Next service is the 50K so I'll be ready!

[wreckerman]

LOCK-TIGHT ON A drain plug!!!! WTF are you all thinking ? as for the rubber O ring that is what helps make it seal tightening a drain plug is a lot like putting spark plugs in , go snug then tighten to about 1/2 to 1/4 of a turn
if you are to put anything on a drain plug let it be Teflon tape..

[coolhawg6622]

LOCK-TIGHT ON A drain plug!!!! WTF are you all thinking ? as for the rubber O ring that is what helps make it seal tightening a drain plug is a lot like putting spark plugs in , go snug then tighten to about 1/2 to 1/4 of a turn
if you are to put anything on a drain plug let it be Teflon tape..

The rubber o ring is your "lock tite"...................pull it out...clean it up and install.....no worries....

[Wild1Poet2]

LOL i think Gunslinger was joking about the loctite but hope no one tries it. I always change out my rubber O ring. It costs like 15 cents.

The longest part is the cleanup. My local auto parts guy lets me dump the waste oil into his oil drum.

[arthureld]

lol, I was joking about the red loctite. I can picture someone using a torch to heat up thier oil pan trying to get that sucker out.
I always thought it was odd that HD recommends so much loctite. I'm used to lock washers. Of course, not on the oil plug or spark plugs.
I've never changed the oil on my Harley. I assumed it would have some sort of gasket that you aren't supposed to smash the hell out of.

[OldBikerGuy]

The worst part of changing oil on a Harley is the motherfucking mess made by the cocksucking oil filter. I'm due to change now and keep putting it off because I'm too damn lazy to wipe up all that oil off the voltage regulator cover, brake and clutch cables, and God knows all the nooks and crannies in the crankcase. Oh, and the places where it gets on the garage floor despite me putting newspaper everywhere. I wish I could hire a Mexican to do it. Just clean the mess of the oil filter. The rest takes five minutes.

Oh, harleybiker, speaking of oil filters, did you remember to put Loc-tite on the oil filter threads? heehee

[wreckerman]

OBG have you tried using a sandwich baggy over the oil filter?
also you can cut down one of the plastic bottles to fit under the filter when changing oil
both methinks will work to control the mess