so, today will be my first real oil change (just hit my 6k mark). so, any suggestions on what i will need to get? i'm planning on royal purple oil (although i don't know the viscosity to get) but what other tools will i need? any other tips you could give me? i've never done my own oil changes before, but everyone's got to start somewhere.

 

I use Royal Purple on my bikes its good stuff. You need 20w-50

 

I use the scavenger, you can Google it. I do 20/50 in the engine and primary and 75/90 in the tranny. I only use Amsoil. I also change the rubber O-rings on the drain plugs every time I change my oil. A new filter, obviously.

 

thank you, that's good advice. i'm going to stop by harley on the way home and grab a filter, oring, and filter wrench. someone told me that the bike needs to be standing straight when you change the oil. so, i might have to grab a jack too.

 

If your planning on doing the tranny it is much easier with a jack. the oil bag and primary are simple enough on the ground.

 

They tell you to stand it straight because the drain for the oil bag is on the right side, and if you drain it while on the kick stand you will leave some oil in there. You will be just fine to drain it while on the kick stand, and then once oil stops dripping, just straddle it and get it up straight for a few mins. Then lean it back on the kick stand and button her back up.

 

aahhhh, that makes sense. thanks!

 

All the above good info and I use tin foil to make a drain sheet for your oil filter.

Tucks under filter good and I always punch a whole in the bottom of the oil filter to let it drain in one spot before taking oil filter off otherwise its all over the place.

Dont forget to check oil level after on the leaning on the stand.