Spilled oil is the main reason I remove the voltage regulator... it gives good access to the whole front then, and I can clean, wipe and flush any oil drippings of the motor mount.... I use a biodegradable citrus based engine cleaner to 'flush' any oil off, then use pressurized air to dry it off. Two bolts and the regulator is back in place...

 

Don't have to disconnect fwd. controls on the 02 or 05 dyna's. New bikes frames must really be different.

 

u may not need to drop it off, depending what wrench you use, I do for mine

 

I drop my linkage by undoing the one nut. It's so damn easy there is really no reason not to do it. Gives you room to put something under the filter to help catch the oil when you unscrew the filter.
I have no idea of the torque value for that nut I just tighten it good and no problems after 3 oil changes so far.

 

have on 07 SB as well.. u don't have to remove the linkage.. just use the strap wrench and ur golden

 

+1...I change fluids every 3k and have never used any LocTite on the shifter linkage...remove the nut,replace the filter and replace with a medium 'grunt' on the nut...

 

De Greaser and a water hose works for me...Removing the regulator seems a bit '****'....but whatever 'floats your boat'...

 

That is exactly what I've been doing since buying HD's oil filter wrench which did not work so i returned it that same day last year! I wrap a thick cloth (cut off jeans pant leg) around the back of the filter to catch any oil leaking out,then wipe up what leaks out despite that ,and it all takes 10 minutes to do! Never touched my shifter linkage , but if you remove yours remember how much force you used to loosen it in the first place and go with that-it's not critical.

Be careful of the sensor sticking out to the right of the filter apparently it is quite sensitive!

 

That's what I was thinking. I haven't had to remove anything when I've changed mine. I form a trough out of some cardboard, and let the excess oil run into the drain pan. I have seen some strange things on parts installation instructions though. I put a turn signal relocation kit on my '04 WG, and the instructions said to take the gas tank off.

 

07 FXDWG
No problem, useing a notched oil filter wrench [ socket style]