getting ready to change the oil in my wifes sporty. on my old sporty (2004) i had to drain a little oil after putting new in to get out air ? ( if i recall correctly)--don't see this step in the manual for the 2010...no longer necessary?

 

I never bother with it on my 04. The air that's in the drain line will eventually work it's way up into the oil tank on it's own anyway.

 

I have often wondered how neccessary it is to drain a little oil to purge out air. The drain a little oil procedure is in the 2007 sportster manual. I would rather not do it as I made a nice size oil slick on one of my oil changes. My owner manual also says to add 3.6 quarts of oil for an oil and filter change, on my first oil change this amount put the oil level above the max fill level on the dip stick. Anyone else had this happen?

 

The 3.6 quarts applies only to new, dry, motors. When you do an oil change, approx 3/4 of a quart of oil is left behind in the system, so you'll only need about 2.75 quarts to re-fill.

HD finally changed the Owners Manuals a couple of years ago, to reflect the required oil change quantity.

 

Ok, now that makes sense. I would always fill it and at about 2.75 it would be full. I'd be going....what the heck....the manual says 3.

 

cHarley, when using the extended capacity 63813-90T filter, do you add a full 3 quarts on an oil change?

 

I don't think so, the extended filter probably only adds about 4 or 5 oz, but I've never measured it exactly.

When I change my oil, I initially install 2.5 quarts, a ~1/4 quart low is nothing anyway. Then, after I've ridden the bike for 100 or so miles, I recheck the level and top it off. That gives any air that's in the system time to work it's way out, and you'll get a more accurate reading on the dipstick.

If you've followed the forum here for any length of time, you'll also know that many people recommend running the oil level 1/2 way between the ADD & FULL marks on the dipstick to prevent puking oil out of the breathers and into the A/C. I believe this is brought on by incorrect oil level instructions in the Owners Manual that call for the oil level to be checked with the bike on the jiffy stand. If you set the oil level at 1/2 way with the bike on the jiffy, and then stand the bike upright (the normal operating position for the bike) and check the level again, you'll find the dipstick reads FULL.
Note: this may vary if your bike has been raised or lowered, because it changes the lean angle when it's on the jiffy and that skews the dipstick reading. If you fill it to the FULL mark when the bike is upright, you'll get it right every time.

 

63813-90T

cHarley, I ordered a couple of these from Lake Shore HD about 8 days ago, are they slow to ship or should I call them, Thanks, Dave

 

Most regular orders from Lakeshore take probably 10 days to get delivered to me, but that can vary with shipping distance. Like most of the other on-line HD warehouses, if they don't have the item in stock, they order it in from Moco and that may add some time depending on Moco's stock availability.

If you haven't received your order in 10 days and want to check on it, call the 800 number on the website and ask for Bill. Remember, orders are shipped UPS and UPS doesn't move anything on weekends or holidays, like this upcoming weekend.

 

Thankyou much.