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Maintenance - Oil Change is the best thing you can do !!

  • Daz666
    Daz666
    6 months
    Hey riders, so I think the best thing you can do on any machine but especially your HD, is give it a oil change at regular intervals. Remember that oil doesnt just lubricate, it is also helps cool your engine by taking away heat as it travels around the engine, as well as being air cooled.
    So after several thousands of cycles of heating up and cooling down, the oil starts to lose its ability to lubricate properly and that is why you need to give it a change before it gets too dark as it picks up contaminants along the way.
    Now what oil you use is a personal choice and Im not gonna push any particular brand, there are plenty of good oils out there, just dont use a crappy brand and personally I use full synthetic Penrite v twin ,  however I have used HD oil, Mobil, Pennzoil, so go with what you like.
    Change it while its warm after a ride, make sure you change the filter too. You can get a filter tool from the dealer, they arent that much and its a one off expense.
    There are only three plugs on a big twin so make sure you dont unscrew the wrong one ,depending on your model the engine and gearbox can sometimes be close, otherwise you will be doing a double change.... 
    I personally change the engine a lot more than the primary or box, probably do the primary every two changes and the box the same or every couple of years.
    Remember to not tighten the drain plug too much or you will crack the sump or primary cover and you definately dont want that, just firm is good and replace the o ring every few changes.
    These are just things from my experience, its not a bible, I just want to share what I have learnt over the 30 something years of harley ownership and making mistakes along the way...
    Cheers and give me some input if you want !!



    , 
  • 408
    408
    6 months
    " You can get a filter tool from the dealer, they arent that much and its a one off expense."

    Never bought a tool from a dealer, it may be a one of expense, but quality tools can be had for a much better price almost anywhere else.
  • Daz666
    Daz666
    6 months
    Quoting 408 on 29 Oct 2023 07:05 AM

    " You can get a filter tool from the dealer, they arent that much and its a one off expense."

    Never bought a tool from a dealer, it may be a one of expense, but quality tools can be had for a much better price almost anywhere else.

    True very true, I was giving an example for the not so mechanically savvy.... 
    I actually avoid going to the dealer for anything unless its a genuine part that I cant get online or somewhere else.
    Having said that, if you are a veteran you get 20 % off at Harley Heaven stores in Melbourne using an APOD card..... thanks 
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    6 months
    We all appreciate your enthusiasm in contributing to the forum Dazz, the forum has been around a long time now, has changed a bit over the years, one could say it's heyday is long past, but here we are, have a bit of a search on topics you might hold dear, could be it's old news, but in saying that we are open to discussing just about anything to the tenth degree, and welcome aboard.
  • Jay-Dee
    Jay-Dee
    6 months
    Welcome, we just love an oil thread here, especially our member Tussuck.
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    6 months
    Oil change is the best insurance for long engine life thats for sure.  That and not flogging the engine to death.
  • Retroman
    Retroman
    5 months
    Quality oil (Redline 20w50 or 20w60/ Penrite 10w60/ Mobil1 "car oil' 5w50/Amsoil 20w50) and heaps more. I have used them all.

    Whatever can be bought in relative bulk (like Supercheap's 25% off days and the like).

    Engine oil changed annually or every 4 to 5 k kilometres. Primary as well (it's only 1 litre and it gets real dirty from the clutch).

    Gearbox every second year, Redline Shockproof Heavy / Penrite full synthetic 90w140 / Genuine HD 80W-140 synth gear oil.

    I use "genuine" HD black oil filters on my own and all my mate's bikes. Easy to buy bulk and store.
    I have a "genuine" HD oil filter removal socket KENT-MOORE part# HD-44067 , and 2 aftermarket versions.
    On ABS equipped bikes you may struggle to access the oil filter any other way, gotta be from the side NOT the front.

    I also use the old push on "oil filter cooler collars" heatsink principle sadly no longer available.
    All my bikes have had them for years and all my mate's bikes also. My stock of newies ran out last year.

    Drops the summer oil temp here in WA significantly. Used to be in the genuine HD accessory brochures.

    All that an NO hard revs until warmed up, say @4 K's down the road at least.

    Big Twin motors last a long time without major intervention with that kind of servicing regime.

    Used to see guys leaving Frasers carpark after the bikes had been stood 2+ hours in a WA seabreeze try to leave darkies up the road.

    That's a BIG NO-NO for engine and transmission longevity.

    That's my findings anyway after 28 years of HD ownership and wrenching.


  • Daz666
    Daz666
    4 months
    Quoting Retroman on 04 Dec 2023 03:52 AMedited: 04 Dec 2023 04:36 AM

    Quality oil (Redline 20w50 or 20w60/ Penrite 10w60/ Mobil1 "car oil' 5w50/Amsoil 20w50) and heaps more. I have used them all.


    Whatever can be bought in relative bulk (like Supercheap's 25% off days and the like).

    Engine oil changed annually or every 4 to 5 k kilometres. Primary as well (it's only 1 litre and it gets real dirty from the clutch).

    Gearbox every second year, Redline Shockproof Heavy / Penrite full synthetic 90w140 / Genuine HD 80W-140 synth gear oil.

    I use "genuine" HD black oil filters on my own and all my mate's bikes. Easy to buy bulk and store.
    I have a "genuine" HD oil filter removal socket KENT-MOORE part# HD-44067 , and 2 aftermarket versions.
    On ABS equipped bikes you may struggle to access the oil filter any other way, gotta be from the side NOT the front.

    I also use the old push on "oil filter cooler collars" heatsink principle sadly no longer available.
    All my bikes have had them for years and all my mate's bikes also. My stock of newies ran out last year.

    Drops the summer oil temp here in WA significantly. Used to be in the genuine HD accessory brochures.

    All that an NO hard revs until warmed up, say @4 K's down the road at least.

    Big Twin motors last a long time without major intervention with that kind of servicing regime.

    Used to see guys leaving Frasers carpark after the bikes had been stood 2+ hours in a WA seabreeze try to leave darkies up the road.

    That's a BIG NO-NO for engine and transmission longevity.

    That's my findings anyway after 28 years of HD ownership and wrenching.


    100 % agree with all that especially the no caning it till it is warm, that is a rule I have had and since it gets fired up early some days I kind of try to keep my neighbours happy and not rev it too, neveŕ had a base gasket blow.
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    4 months
    I was using the 10w60  synthetic Penrite in the three holes for a couple of years (just to simplify things) doing yearly changes. I'm lucky if I clock up 8K a year these days so I decided to change the oil every second year.  I am thinking I might extend this oil change interval to 3 years.
    I just dont see the point in buying the latest and greatest oils known to mankind if you are gonna change it every 4 or 5 K. 
    I got curious  about the  Redline gearbox oil so I decided to complicate things again and put it last year.  There is a noticable difference trying to find nuetral compared to the Penrite .
    I reckon tussuck will be sitting in front of his computer thinking ............... FUCK not again !

  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    4 months
    Quoting beaglebasher on 08 Dec 2023 09:59 AM

    I was using the 10w60  synthetic Penrite in the three holes for a couple of years (just to simplify things) doing yearly changes. I'm lucky if I clock up 8K a year these days so I decided to change the oil every second year.  I am thinking I might extend this oil change interval to 3 years.

    I just dont see the point in buying the latest and greatest oils known to mankind if you are gonna change it every 4 or 5 K. 
    I got curious  about the  Redline gearbox oil so I decided to complicate things again and put it last year.  There is a noticable difference trying to find nuetral compared to the Penrite .
    I reckon tussuck will be sitting in front of his computer thinking ............... FUCK not again !

    indubitably
  • Baloffski
    Baloffski
    4 months
    Redline in gearbox . Number 1 👍
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