Hello,
Just bought a 1998 Road King with 7,000 miles. Is there a section of the forum or another go-to website showing how to do the basic oil changes for mine? I checked the How-Tos section on this website but it came up blank when clicking on engine and transmission for Harley Touring and not having luck searching. Thank you

I ordered Harley service manual and owners manual but they won't be in until next week.

 

You did great ordering the factory manuals! You won't be sorry. If you are not familiar with these engines you need to know there is not a drain on the engine cases, there is a plug but not for draining the oil. The oil is in a different area. Not sure if the 98 is a twin cam or an evo so can't tell you for sure. I would just wait a week, I am sure you could ride it just fine until then. Sounds like a very nice bike with such low miles.

 

This is similar I think. Look under yours and you will probably see this. Your's is a EVO. Be real careful. There is about 5 look alike plugs under there. The actual engine sump where the crank contains only a small amount of oil that you do not drain. The transmission drains down thru the engine oil tank. Easy to get confused if you do not understand. The 99 looks different since the oil drain is on the oil sump attached to bottom of transmission. Your's has this same sump I think but drains at a slightly different remote place. The second picture is a 1999

 

YouTube is a good resource on how to do just about anything.

 

Wait on the manual for the fluid capacity and torque specs. Pay attention to the torque specs. Choice of oils, ahh, entirely difficult subject. I've tried them all but my preference in the end is Spectro.

 

Like my cars, I let the pros do it.

 

Easy-peasy, my man. The oil drain plug (if I remember correctly) for the motor oil is the farthest forward and to the left side of the motor on the pan beneath the motor/trans.You'll know if it's wrong if the oil smells like gear lube (stinky stuff - easy to recognize).
Four qts. w/filter is the correct amount although you may experience a bit of blow-by with a full 4 qts. installed. If you do simply install 3 1/2 qts the next time. The dipstick should show oil halfway between the marks COLD.
Don't bother with any torque specs. The filter should be no tighter than hand tight and the plug should be just a touch past snug with a new o-ring.
The primary drain is located at the lowest point of the cover at 6 o'clock below the derby cover. After draining replace the plug and the derby gasket and fill with 38 oz. of ATF (or you can use the H-D stuff if you're so inclined).

 

Thanks for the info and all the tips and tricks! I'm doing just the engine oil, filter, and o-ring now. Will wait for the HD manual before going through the rest of the bike.

 

Just don't do what my friend did, he drained the tranny oil, and then couldn't
figure out why he couldn't fit any oil in the motor.
That was bad enough, but then he did the same thing all over again!
I finally went over to show him where the motor oil drain was!
I've been razzing him over it for years! HAHA

 

Not a bad idea to install an oil pressure gauge while you're there.