Hi I have a 96cu in fatbob 2009.
Just changed the oil for the first time since I have owned it, I drained the engine oil and left to drip for about an hour, also removed the filter.
I filled it with a little too much oil, manual says 2.84L but I put in about 2.7L.
Then I ran it for a minute, checked the level and it was overfilled. I then checked this forum and it said put 2.5L ? in at an oil change. Ok I had to suck some out with my wee siphon hose I have, no problem sucked out about 200ml which was all sweet on the dipstick level. NOW heres my question. When I sucked the brand new oil out it was very dark brown, not black like what had drained out, but it certainly did not look like fresh oil. My thoughts are that 2.84L -2.5L = .34L of dirty oil was left in the bike, making my new oil the colour I mention. This seems odd to me. My other bikes, non Harley models have cleanish looking oil in the sightglass for several months after an oil change. Any one have any thoughts on this? is this normal?

 

It's normal.

 

There are devices to remove the oil from the crankcase to do a "complete evacuation" ... do a search

 

He's right, it's normal. There's some left in the crankcase. There are systems you can buy to get all of it out at change time if you want tho. I've seen them at rallys. "Change ALL your oil, not just most!".

 

If I remember right it's called the Scavenger or something like that. It gets all of the oil out.

 

I kept thinking it was a way to do this. Well here it is. This will work for a Softail and for Dyna's 2006 up.

This is for 3/4"-16 threads for the oil filter. Summitt Racing has these for different threads.

1 - Perma-Cool 111 $11.95 + 4.95 shipping.
1 - 1/8" pipe plug
2 - 1/2" pipe plugs
2' - hose to slide over the return line. Walmart or lowes around $3

I drilled sideways through to combine the chambers. I drilled down through one of the ports to enlarge the hole.

The 1/8" pipe plug goes in the sideways hole.

Softail

Remove the return line from the tank and slide the hose over it. Install the puck. Use a clothes pin to clamp the hose to the bucket and crank the bike. It won't take long to scavenge the old oil out.

I used brass plugs because I had them. Galvanized or black pipe will cost less than $3. Plastic will work as well.

 

Here is the website I was talking about. Very similar to Wlbowers set up.

https://roguechopper.com/

Fill in the make and model and it will appear

Nice video demonstrating how it works also

 

Best way to do it is to change the oil twice. Use cheap oil the first time. Run it for a while, then change the oil again. You can do it a third time if you are really, really concerned.

 

Just drain the old oil out, put new oil in, its an oil change for cryin out loud, not rocket science.

 

Do not add specif amounts to any of the holes...you never know exactly how much is left in there when you start.

Always drain and then slowly add until you hit the proper level.

For the engine, fill the reservoir until you reach the bottom of the acceptable range. Then follow the owners manual for proper level check.

My bike requires a hot check...so I fill to lower mark, take the bike on a short run, check the level, and add oil until it is full.