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General Topics/Tech TipsDiscussion on break in periods, rider comfort, seats and pad suggestions. Tech tips as they become available will be posted here.
I have been searching through all these threads and can't seem to find anything on this. How do you guys keep from spilling oil all over the place when you remove it? I have tried everything I can think of,any ideas would be appreciated. TIA
I've tried them all over the years, and they all work a bit better, to varying degrees, to reduce the mess that results for the poor HD placement of the oil filter. Finally, a few years ago I said screw this mess, and we designed a full proof way for a no mess oil filter change. It also helps cool down the oil some.
I use the Ernst drain funnel . But i modded it a bit by cutting it so it goes alitttle farther under the filter. I also put holes in the filter at the 12 and 6 spots. I then jack the trike up at the right rear loop under the frame and let drain over night. Damn near all the oil comes out of the filter overnight. I let it down and then jack it up a couple of times as more oil will come out of the drain plug hole. Hardly a drop spilled.
A lot of the suggestions above work. I find it easier to remove the voltage regulator on my ultra classic, then I have a lot more working space to maneuver cardboard, plastic funnel, cut soda bottle or whatever I have available at the time.
I have tried all the suggestions here and they are good ideas. The pop bottle is the only one I havnt tried yet. I will be trying that one next weekend.
At some point most folks figure out that all the time spent futzing with different plastic doo-dads, plus the time cleaning up, costs more than doing it right and having it be a non-event.
It took me decades, but I did finally realize that my time is my most valuable possession.
I have tried all the suggestions here and they are good ideas. The pop bottle is the only one I havnt tried yet. I will be trying that one next weekend.
If your first attempt with the pop bottle fails to meet your expectations, don't be disappointed. A gap free fit will determine the difference between success and failure. The ideal time to check fit is while the filter is removed, as any gaps can easily be seen and corrected if necessary. Then it's just a matter of saving your homemade funnel for future use.
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Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
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Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
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Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
