Oil Change
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 46
From: East Hartford, CT
Amsoil is the one for me.
Hey that scavanger is $120. Wow I'll just change my oil and live with whats left in there.
I hear that aircraft don't change their synthectic oil they just add it.
Hey that scavanger is $120. Wow I'll just change my oil and live with whats left in there.
I hear that aircraft don't change their synthectic oil they just add it.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
With my scavenger I get about 26oz of dirty oil out after draining.Thats whats left in the engine that doesnt drain.You only drain the tank when you remove the drain plug.If getting an oil change in my car which uses 5 quarts,I was told they are only changing 3 quarts and leaving 2 quarts of used oil in,I would go elsewhere.So without using a scavenger,you are doing the same to your bike.These bikes are air cooled,so your oil is that much more essential to keeping it cool.I prefer to do a complete oil change,instead of changing 2/3's of it.I like to see clean oil on my stick after a change,not the black used up crap I thought I just changed.But its a personal thing,I guess.Redline primary fluid in the primary case and it shifts smoother and quieter.Be careful with synthetics here,if they have friction modifiers it may cause clutch slipping.I like the Redline tranny fluid with shockproof in the tranny,for no particular reason other than it gets good revues and it seems to work fine.Dont like the idea of using the same oil in all 3 holes.They have 3 different jobs to do,the different oils are engineered for their particular purpose so it makes sense.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 46
From: East Hartford, CT
I use amsoil 20/50 in both the engine and primary as recomended, $11.00 a qt
However I use amsoil SEVERE GEAR 75W-90 Synthetic EP Lubricant in the gear box.$13.
I change the gear oil twice a year. Spring and late season like now.
I change my engine oil and primary at 4 thousand miles.
I always adjust the clutch since I have the Primary open.
with an oil cooler I disconnect the line and drain it all with the line below the engine.
Although amsoil recomends the 20w/50 in all three holes I also believe a gear box needs gear oil. I use the lighter weight as I ride into the cold season as much as I can.
However I use amsoil SEVERE GEAR 75W-90 Synthetic EP Lubricant in the gear box.$13.
I change the gear oil twice a year. Spring and late season like now.
I change my engine oil and primary at 4 thousand miles.
I always adjust the clutch since I have the Primary open.
with an oil cooler I disconnect the line and drain it all with the line below the engine.
Although amsoil recomends the 20w/50 in all three holes I also believe a gear box needs gear oil. I use the lighter weight as I ride into the cold season as much as I can.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
A lot of nonsense can be posted on these threads. I have seven Harley's that I do all of the services. I drain them after a full warm up then fill with three quarts, 1 quart and 1 quart in the designated holes.
Never, absolutely never has the dip stick ever showed beyond the hot full mark.
I do run them to operating temperature before checking the oil. You know after the lines and oil filter have been purged of air and filled with oil.
A half quart of oil remains in the motor. Absolute total Bull you know what.
Never, absolutely never has the dip stick ever showed beyond the hot full mark.
I do run them to operating temperature before checking the oil. You know after the lines and oil filter have been purged of air and filled with oil.
A half quart of oil remains in the motor. Absolute total Bull you know what.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 10,366
Likes: 406
From: Connecticut
I drain overnight just to be safe, and ALWAYS add 3, 1 & 1. 
A lot of nonsense can be posted on these threads. I have seven Harley's that I do all of the services. I drain them after a full warm up then fill with three quarts, 1 quart and 1 quart in the designated holes.
Never, absolutely never has the dip stick ever showed beyond the hot full mark.
I do run them to operating temperature before checking the oil. You know after the lines and oil filter have been purged of air and filled with oil.
A half quart of oil remains in the motor. Absolute total Bull you know what.
Never, absolutely never has the dip stick ever showed beyond the hot full mark.
I do run them to operating temperature before checking the oil. You know after the lines and oil filter have been purged of air and filled with oil.
A half quart of oil remains in the motor. Absolute total Bull you know what.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,228
Likes: 7,803
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
FYI...regarding the amounts, Harleys Owners Manual for my bike states 2.5 qts for the engine. Page 103.
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I'm not going to get caught up in the oil capacity question. Everyone seems to have their own thoughts on the subject. At the end of the day, the only person you have to please is yourself (hmm... that doesn't sound right lol!).
On the Amsoil question, the best place I've found is NAPA auto parts - they have the MC 20W50 at $9.95/qt. I usually throw my business to the local indy, but they want $12.75/qt. Even online is more expensive than NAPA.
On the Amsoil question, the best place I've found is NAPA auto parts - they have the MC 20W50 at $9.95/qt. I usually throw my business to the local indy, but they want $12.75/qt. Even online is more expensive than NAPA.
