Have a "new to me" 1996 FLSTF, my first big twin. Doing my own maintenance and need a little guidance. My "Fatboy" has drag pipes installed, which I love. Unfortunately,the front pipeblocks direct access to the tiny transmission drain plug on the SIDE of the softail transmission. Is there a way around having to remove the pipe every time I want to drain the transmission? I can't really even see the plug from the side, I think it is a "torx" head. Any help is appreciated![sm=shades.gif]

 

You have to do what you have to do.

 

I can get at mine with a torex 1/4 drive socket and a swivel joint. Might be able to get it with an allen wrench that has torex ends on it (I don't know what those are called).

 

FXSTC here, with drag pipes. What I do to "drain" the tranny - I got a hand suction pump from an auto parts store, it's made to suck the oil out of an axle differential. I just stick the hose down into the fill hole and suck all the oil out. You will have to find the spot where you can get the hose down in deep - and it helps to have the bike leaned a bit toward you, I get my wife to just lean it a bit. Changed every 5,000 since 1992 and the oil's always clean. Yes, maybe there's shavings in the bottom but I think I'm relatively safe and sure beats pulling the pipe off.
And, even if you take the pipe off - 50-50 that the torx plug will strip out and look just like mine.....