Purging the Oil System.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,196
Likes: 6,655
From: Gruene Texas
This coming weekend, weather permitting, I'll be breaking in the 1995. Afterwards, purging the engine oil sounds like a damn good idea.
Being a softail, hopefully someone can chime in on tips so I don't muck something up. I'll be putting in (already purchased) Harley dino 20 50 and their filter.
Being a softail, hopefully someone can chime in on tips so I don't muck something up. I'll be putting in (already purchased) Harley dino 20 50 and their filter.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,816
Likes: 7,847
From: SE Louisiana
Cue the replies for people trying to convince you not to do that.
i do it on my Evo because it’s easy, and the filter is on the return oil path, not on the TC and M8.
Cut the bottom off a used oil filter, keeps oil off the cross member on the bagger, used it on the softail I had with a funnel.
i do it on my Evo because it’s easy, and the filter is on the return oil path, not on the TC and M8.
Cut the bottom off a used oil filter, keeps oil off the cross member on the bagger, used it on the softail I had with a funnel.
I've done that a couple of times. Mostly I'm too lazy to bother.
Other than wasting a half a qt of new oil, it can't hurt.
The only thing I don't like about doing it is the oil ends up so clean it's hard to see on the dipstick.
Other than wasting a half a qt of new oil, it can't hurt.
The only thing I don't like about doing it is the oil ends up so clean it's hard to see on the dipstick.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,116
Likes: 7,639
From: Poolville
It's a personal choice, nothing wrong with doing it and nothing wrong with not doing it especially if you change your oil frequently. I do it time to time especially if I get caught in traffic with hot idling I'll do it on my next oil change. no special tools though but all's I use is the cardboard from the oil filter box and use it as a sleuth funnel to get it to a drain pan and yeah it's surprising how much oil is still in there but don't forget you need to flush that out with new oil so keep pumping till you see the clear..
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,816
Likes: 7,847
From: SE Louisiana
This coming weekend, weather permitting, I'll be breaking in the 1995. Afterwards, purging the engine oil sounds like a damn good idea.
Being a softail, hopefully someone can chime in on tips so I don't muck something up. I'll be putting in (already purchased) Harley dino 20 50 and their filter.
Being a softail, hopefully someone can chime in on tips so I don't muck something up. I'll be putting in (already purchased) Harley dino 20 50 and their filter.
I dump it at 50 miles, then use whatever I usually run.
The Wix 51215, or Napa 1215 (same filter) is also a good choice and more accessible if no HD dealer near by, OReillys has them too.
Black filters, I dont pay for chrome.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Life's too short to start that now, after 50+ years of living in ignorance, but what ever floats your boat.... 
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,200
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
Umm... because there's not almost a quart of oil still in there? Because there's a couple ounces? And the factory shop manual says don't bother?
