While many people take their Harley Davidson Dyna in to a service station to have the oil changed, those who find that they do it themselves oftentimes have a much easier time of it and end up saving both time and money in the process. It's crucial that you change the oil in your motorcycle every 3000 miles or so in order to properly keep the engine lubricated and to make sure that all of the various systems work as they should. This will help to prevent the engine from overheating and melting, which causes serious and irreparable damage to it. The oil should be changed about every 3000 miles or so. If you take the hour or so that it will cost you to change the oil at home, you'll find that you have a better working knowledge of how your Dyna works as well as the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the job was done well.

Step 1 -- Gather Your Materials

You'll need the following materials in order to change the oil in your Dyna:

• New oil filter
• New oil (several quarts)
• Oil collection pan
• Jack stand
• Cardboard piece
• Wrench set
• Funnel
• Newspaper
• Paper Towels
• New gasket system (optional)

Step 2 -- Prep the Bike

Place the motorcycle up on a jack stand so that you'll be able to have better access to the oil container. This will allow you to drain the oil more easily. The engine should be slightly warm while you work; don't let it cool down completely, but leave the bike sitting for a while after the engine has been running to allow it to cool off. Also, lay down a set of newspapers underneath where you'll be working to catch any oil that spills.

Step 3 -- Drain the Old Oil

Place your oil collection pan underneath the oil container in the bike. Unscrew the filler cap at the top of the container to force the oil down into the base of the container. Then carefully unscrew the drain plug. This will allow the oil to come pouring out of the container. Be sure to catch it in the collection pan, and hold the pan in place for several minutes until all of the oil has flowed out. Use a cardboard piece to help channel the oil into the pan, if that helps. After the oil is removed, clean out the entire container with a set of paper towels.

Step 4 -- Check and Change the Filter, if Necessary

Remove the oil filter with a socket wrench and allow it to drain into the collection pan. Examine it for signs of damage or corrosion. If it does seem to be damaged at all, replace it with a new filter. Otherwise, reattach the old filter in place and then check on the gasket, if you wish. Both of these items will not need to be changed out as frequently as the oil, but it's good to check on them anyway.

Step 5 -- Add New Oil

Close up the drain plug and place the funnel into the top of the oil container. Pour in as many quarts of new oil as are recommended by the Dyna owner's manual. Be sure to allow the oil to fully drain into the container before you close it up and remove the bike from the jack stand.

Before you start up the engine once again, examine the oil with a dipstick to check the levels by hand. Adjust the levels as necessary before you start up the engine at all.

All of the different materials that you'll need for this project can typically be found at your local hardware store or in a motorcycle or auto body repair shop. Ask a mechanic for advice on any part of the process that may be unclear to be sure that you complete it properly.