I recently bought a 2014 Street Glide Special to replace my totaled Road King Custom. I elected to change the oil at 500 miles instead of waiting until the 1000 miles the book calls for. Since the 103 has an oil cooler, the oil cooler lines make it harder to install the oil filter without losing some fresh oil after filling the filter. I may have lost less than half the oil from the filter trying to install it. Once I started the engine, I noticed a loud knocking noise coming from the engine for about 3-4 seconds. It sounded like it could have been lower end push rod knocking. Is this normal for the 103 and is anyone else experiencing this? If not, what could I do to prevent this from happening again next time?

 

Do what I do...let a pro do it. There's no way I'd do it myself, not a brand new bike.

 

It was dry, next time, tap the start button without letting her catch. This'll gets oil into the engine.

 

3 or 4 seconds of knocking is OK, it will not damage your engine. There still is oil on surfaces, just no pressure.

 

The 103 isn't any diff from an 88--96 er's on the OIL changes...


I never fill the filter FULL of oil when installing a new one......

THINK.... you're putting a filter in horizontally in your bike,,, and Some will leak out if its full....

I only add enough to fill the Paper filaments up which is 6-8 ozs.. Then I put a little oil on the rubber and install it.....

It is not rocket science,.... more so ,,, its just Common sense...



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One thing you can do (which I don't) is to remove the sparkplugs from their holes with their leads attached and the plugs grounded, and crank the engine for a couple of revolutions until the oil pressure light turns off. Replace the plugs and start the engine.
I did use this method for the first start-up after my 95" build when I replaced the oil pump and lifters.

 

That's a good measure. Although when a high quality oil was used previously I wouldn't say it is a must.

 

It is OK as stated, and follow suggestion about filter... I have serviced all my bikes all my 40 years riding including mt FLSTC and knowing your bike and working on same is good in my opinion. Got to know your limits though on these newer ones....

 

I fill my filter to the top and let it sit a few minuets..all the oil get sucked up into the element...been doing it this way on all my vehicles for 40 years.

 

When you fill your filter before installing it...

I would think that an oil saturated element could make it more difficult for air to pass through. Also, I believe a wet oil filter could tend to trap air bubbles, which may require more time under pressure to eliminate them. Having a wet element in a partially filled filter, is not a good idea IMHO.