Ok folks, this will be the first time I have changed the oil in my Heritage. Now dont get me wrong, I can turn a wrench, as I have done all maintenance on every vehicle I have ever owned. What I want to know is when do you change the tranny fluid? Does it need to be changed alongside the engine? I noticed folks saying all 3 holes as well, which I have yet to see the 3rd one. I know I will get some smarty pants keyboard jockey spouting off about this, but seriously I dont want to mess something up. I got the bike from a dealer, and they said everything was done before I got it. I have put almost 5,000 miles on it, and figure its time for an oil change. I am used to the ricers, pulling one plug changing the filter, replace plug and fill one hole with oil, so this is just a bit foreign to me. Does it all need to be done at the same time? The primary needs to be drained as well I assume? Also as a side note, what brand filter did they use? It is just a chrome filter with no markings, honestly I could care less about having a chrome filter, but it does look pretty under there. LOL. Of course I could take it to my local bike shop and get them to do it for about $65 but he uses a brand of oil called Barsall (? I guess thats how its spelled, sounds like it anyway) so I am iffy about that.

 

Tranny is good for 20k, primary 10k. Common for new owners to remove the wrong oil plug so fyi, it's in the frame rail below the oil tank. Tranny is between the shocks, primary in the frame rail on the other side. Get in the habit of always using a torque wrench, screws are easy to overtighten.

IMO, a service manual is mandatory if you're going to be doing your own service. I'd be lost w/o it.

Until you get one, just pm me and I'll be happy to give you any specs you need.


__________________________
2008 Heritage Classic: His
2008 Deluxe: Hers

 

Tom here. Get a service manual. Once you know how to do it, it is quite simple. Above instructions are good. Do not remove the plug under the engine thinking that is the drain for the oil, as it is not. Frame rail under the oil tank.

Regards,
Tom
Harley Goodies

 

Thanks for the info guys. I did order a manual online, but have not recieved it yet. I have a trip coming up next week that I need to prepare for so I have to get the oil changed asap due to my time restraints. Its not that big of a trip, just from the Charlotte area of NC to Newport News VA to see my brother in law, but I still need to change it. Also do you guys think that I should go ahead and trust the dealer, or just change all of it just in case? The bike has 45,000 miles on it now.

 

Depends on what you would like to have in there. Chances are you have HD360 in the engine and formula+ in the other two. Definitely time for the engine oil, the other two are your call. I like changing primary at same time, it seems to get a little dirty, at least on my fatboy it did. The tranny was a clean as when it went in for me.
Filters don't have any markings but come in black or chrome, couple bucks more for chrome.

 

3 holes are engine/trans/primary. On a softail the trans drain plug is between the shocks. Engine is along right side near rear passenger peg. Primary has a drain plug and you'll need to remove the side cover to refill. Might need to go with new gaskets as well. Just pick up a filter at the dealer when you get the gaskets. Some folks opt to go with synthetic oil. I personally use Amsoil just because a friend got me hooked a long time ago. You can debate the subject all day long but to each is own. I will tell you when I've changed the trans oil in several friends bikes I used Red Lines V-twin trans oil with shockproof and they all claim they can feel a difference. Little quieter, easier to find nuetral, shifts smoother. Big thing is don't overfill when refilling. Just because the engine says 3.5 qts doesn't mean it will take 3.5 to fill it back up. If you overfill it will come out the air breather.

 

Ok, I drained the oil from the plug under the oil tank at the passenger peg. Problem is there was maybe only 2 1/2 qts came out. Pulled the plug under the engine and only a tiny amount came out. Dipstick read full before doing all of this. I did not drain the primary, at least I dont think so. The one under the engine was on the left of the bike in the center of the crank case. Shouldnt there be more oil in there? The engine was not hot when I did all of this. I figured I would also change the transmission oil since I was at it. I had an Indy tell me to put in 75w/140 back in there. Would it hurt anything to put in lucas 85w/140? I think I am going to put Mobil1 fully synthetic back in the oil tank. I am also guessing that I should fill it up to full, ride it around the block, then check it again to top it off? By the way, draining the oil on this thing is a B!tCh with it sitting so low. LOL.

 

Some of the engine oil will be in the filter. When I change the oil in one of my trucks that has not run that day I pull the plug and let it drain all night. Change the filter in the morning and refill to specs.

 

So much for pointing out where the oil drain plug was. See post #3.

 

Yep, sounds like he also pulled the manufacturing plug. Hope it went back in without stripping the threads. 2.5 quarts is usually all that it takes for me to fill my Deluxe back up.