changing oil on the road

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Jul 28, 2019 | 10:05 PM

#21

son of the hounds

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Joined: Aug 2011

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From: Idaho Panhandle

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleytq

Where did you get the pan, from what store? Thanks

open top oil change pan from carquest auto parts. I wiped it out with shop towels they gave me and gave it back to them . I think it was $9.00. Worth it to me for piece of mind.

Jul 28, 2019 | 10:17 PM

#22

NORTY FLATZ

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Joined: Jan 2015

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From: Sandy Eggo's North County

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleytq

I'm not that concerned about saving the money, Its more that I just don't like dealers working on my stuff, and yeah why not save some money, no sense throwing money out the window, right?

If you don't want dealerships touching your bike (I don't blame you, btw,) how about locating an indie to do your oil change? Heck, maybe even a member here could help you out.

Jul 29, 2019 | 08:49 AM

#23

harleytq

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 217

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From: minnesota

Quote:

Originally Posted by NORTY FLATZ

If you don't want dealerships touching your bike (I don't blame you, btw,) how about locating an indie to do your oil change? Heck, maybe even a member here could help you out.

Yeah I was kinda hoping someone in the area would suggest that and say why don't you swing by.
But the auto parts parking lot will probably work good too.

Jul 29, 2019 | 10:11 AM

#24

LQQK_OUT

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Joined: Nov 2006

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From: East Coast, USA

I'm probably in the minority here, but I'll change my oil before a trip, ride the trip and change the oil when I get back home. I do check the oil level during the trip. I have stopped to change my oil while on the road, but I haven't done that in years. Maybe if my trips were longer than they've been lately, I'd start doing the oil change while on the road again.
Looking at my service record spreadsheet for my 2011 Ultra, my oil change intervals have been the following for the last few years (in miles):
5047, 11772, 7604, 5940, 7599, 7541, 7931, 9186, 6215, 9179, 5543, 6205, etc.... 135,000 miles on the bike. Never been inside the engine. Maybe this is a testament to the quality of the oils and filters of today?
I did just change my oil the other day, before my trip out to Sturgis.

Jul 29, 2019 | 12:36 PM

#25

SPRINGER

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Joined: Jan 2005

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From:

Quote:

Originally Posted by LQQK_OUT

You've got some company in that minority thing because I do the same thing. I change all my fluids and even check out my tires and such before heading out on a long trip. I even do that with the car if needed.

Jul 29, 2019 | 12:40 PM

#26

duoglider

Road Warrior

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 1,508

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From: N. Tx.

take a filter & filter wrench with you, buy the oil at an autoparts store, change in parking lot and leave the old oil with them. You'll have to round up some sort of container to catch the old oil but that should be simple enough.

Jul 29, 2019 | 01:39 PM

#27

AtticusFinch

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Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 1,926

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From: Utah

Another option for a drain pain would be a cheap disposable foil pan from a grocery store or Walmart.

For me, it's worth it to carry the oil, filter, and drain pan. I don't want to struggle to locate the brand of oil I prefer. I make sure I have a K&N wrench off filter on so that I don't need special tools to remove it. I replace it with the same thing.

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Jul 29, 2019 | 03:28 PM

#28

vanman59

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 234

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From: Midland NC

Dollar Tree has $1 drain pans that fit under Ultras. Advance has Mobile 1 20W50 motorcycle oil and K&N filter. My son works at Advance so I'm not sure about filter availability on shelf, usually have him bring the stuff to me. I have done plenty of long trips. I'll do an oil change at Advance or wherever. Oils and filter get changed just before trip and usually only need an oil change with no filter. If I put a filter on last week and have gone 5,000 miles I usually wont change the filter. If my motor is putting out that much metal or any other type of debris or blow by a new oil filter isn't going to help after a week and 5K miles. In fact i doubt if a harley motor would last too long if that much debris was floating around in the motor and got caught in the filter or not. I put 43K on my 2010 (did a FuelMoto 107 at about 20K) and currently have 85K+ on my 2013 Ultra CVO. I did loose the motor at 72K due to the dreaded lifter failure on the 110s due to the heavy valve spring pressure. Rebuilt under ESP warranty except the heads. The lifters are known problems with the 110s but if you have ESP there's nothing you can do except let them fail or come out of pocket for replacement. I bought the ESP because I knew that before it was up I was going to put 100K on it before 7 years is up and it would need a rebuild, hopefully at ESP expense. This next trip out west will put it over the top. Leaving for CO, UT, NV, CA, OR, WA, ID, MT WY ND, SD tomorrow.