Oil change intervals
Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Oil change intervals
I'm a former Gold Wing owner who is considering buying a HD Fat Boy in the next few years. I owned the GW for 5 years and never did more than change tires, brakes, and oil. I changed the oil every 3K miles. What maintenance is required on Harleys? I would still change the engine oil every 3K, but how often do you have to change the primary oil? Is there really that much to do on a Harley compared to the other "H" bikes?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 0
From: Somerset County
RE: Oil change intervals
Hey shafer - Welcome to the forum - There is a Oil forum here that has a ton of specific info as do the DIY Forums - A search will reveal a ton of great information - HD states 5K intervals for the most part but a lot of people much smarter then I am do it every 2500 cause clean oil is cheaper prevention than engine wear - Not sure how much more there is to do on a Harley vs. Honda but it sure is fun and you get to use non-metric tools - 1/2' sounds cooler to me the 10mm for some reason! Good luck making your decision and keep us posted
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,119
Likes: 2
From: USA
RE: Oil change intervals
ORIGINAL: shafer
I'm a former Gold Wing owner who is considering buying a HD Fat Boy in the next few years. I owned the GW for 5 years and never did more than change tires, brakes, and oil. I changed the oil every 3K miles. What maintenance is required on Harleys? I would still change the engine oil every 3K, but how often do you have to change the primary oil? Is there really that much to do on a Harley compared to the other "H" bikes?
I'm a former Gold Wing owner who is considering buying a HD Fat Boy in the next few years. I owned the GW for 5 years and never did more than change tires, brakes, and oil. I changed the oil every 3K miles. What maintenance is required on Harleys? I would still change the engine oil every 3K, but how often do you have to change the primary oil? Is there really that much to do on a Harley compared to the other "H" bikes?
I don't think Harley's are any more maintenance intense than any other brand. The manual calls for changing oil in all three holes at 5000mi intervals, after the initial 1000 service. You'll probably get a hundred differing opinions on that subjuct alone. One thing Harley's don't need in comparison to others is valve train adjustment. Other than that it's mostly just keep a check on things.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: Oil change intervals
I change oil and filter every 2,500 miles. I change the other fluids, trans and primary, every 5,000 miles. I don't think that HD requires any more maintainance than other bikes.
In fact the HD will not need any cooling system maintainance as the Goldwing does. Also, you don't have to remove a lot of sheet metal or plastic fairings and covers to do the maintainance.
The HD is not completely metric free when it comes to tools. The rear axle nut is a 36mm, and the brake calipers require a 10mm 12 point wrench. Might be some others that I haven't found yet.
Regards,
Bill
In fact the HD will not need any cooling system maintainance as the Goldwing does. Also, you don't have to remove a lot of sheet metal or plastic fairings and covers to do the maintainance.
The HD is not completely metric free when it comes to tools. The rear axle nut is a 36mm, and the brake calipers require a 10mm 12 point wrench. Might be some others that I haven't found yet.
Regards,
Bill
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 950
Likes: 1
From: Magnolia, Texas
RE: Oil change intervals
The HD is not completely metric free when it comes to tools. The rear axle nut is a 36mm, and the brake calipers require a 10mm 12 point wrench. Might be some others that I haven't found yet.
Regards,
Bill
Ray (twoseas)
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,473
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Oil change intervals
When you look at the whole picture, there is actually less preventive maintenance to do on the HDs than most other bikes. Change oils, adjust primary chain tension occasionally, adjust rear belt tension, often only once during the lifetime of the belt. No continuing valve train adjustments as in overhead cam engines, no continuing cooling system maintenance as in water cooled engines.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,473
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Oil change intervals
Talked to a bud at work who owns both a GoldWing and a Road King. He said his 'Wing has been in the shop far more than the RK. The 'Wing valves are an every 5k miles thing, it goes through tires quicker than the RK, and has had some warranty work done to it. Had a coolant leak a couple weeks ago. 'Wing gets oil every 3k miles. His RK gets oil every 3k in the motor, and every 5k in the primary & tranny. Adjusted the rear belt at the 1k service, and hasn't had to adjust it since, except the usual at a tire change.
Shafer, have you had your bike 5 years and haven't had the valve lash adjusted? Low mileage, or are you a bad boy, and didn't have it done?
Shafer, have you had your bike 5 years and haven't had the valve lash adjusted? Low mileage, or are you a bad boy, and didn't have it done?