i plan on servicing my fatboy myself. i see harley has a fluid that can be used everywhere. is there any other advice or tips? i plan on getting a lift and service manual soon.

 

They say that HD Syn3 full synthetic is good in all three holes, and I had the dealer put it in at the 1000 mile checkup. But that's probably the last time I will have it in there. I plan to switch over at the next service interval to Mobil 1 for V Twins for the engine and another possably heavier duty full synthetic for the tranny and primary.
In any event I'll stick with the full synthetic, if for no other reason then the engine seems to run a bit cooler since it was put in, and that's not a bad reason by itself.

 

Get a service manual. My opinion is that if you change the fluids often enough, synthetics are a waste. But that is just me. Spend as much or little as you like. Synthetics have a tendency to seep on lower mileage bikes. I would wait till at least 5000 miles for that.

 

I agree with anubisss I change my oil every thousand miles I put on four to five thousand miles a year the expense is minimal. I can remember when Harley had no synt oil at that time they did not recommend it as soon as they got one with there name on it it became OK. I believe that the Harley maintenance program is made by them for your bike to last as long as they see fit. After all they want to sell more cycles

 

I use nothing but synthetic, don't want to get entangled in an oil thread but the syn's have a higher flash point. HD engines are air cooled and need all the help they can get from the oil, the oil aids cooling by being injected onto the bottom of the pistons.
Only use gear oil in the tranny no matter what HD says, Mobile 1 90w synthetic is great for the tranny, or better yet Redline shockproof if you can find it.

An oil cooler is not a bad idea if you live in a hot area....such as the Tropics where I live in S. Florida. My normal operating temp is 230 deg on the hottest day, stuck in traffic, with synthetic and an oil cooler. 250-260 before the cooler.


Bottom line use what you want but you'll soon realize that the majority of people that wrench their own stuff use synthetic, and use it for a reason other than it cost more.

 

I too just change my oil often, at the 2500 point. Harley says 5K but I think that is pushing the oil a bit to hard. The dealer claims that the synthetic oil is not necessary in my part of the country, although we get a lot of 95 to 100 degree weather in the summer.

If you spend all that extra money on the synthetics how often do you change it?

 

I agree with anubisss, synthetics are a waste of money. I use HD oil in the crankcase and change engine oil and filter every 2500 miles. I use Formula + in the primary and trans and change those every 5000. Engine runs cool and quiet. It is more important to use the appropriate weight oil for the temperature you are driving in. I run 20-50 fall, winter, and spring. Change to straight 60 weight in the summer. Dito on service manual. You will need a lift. I purchased the Sears aluminum lift. It was a few bucks more than the cheaper steel lift, but has the same function and lift rating. There are several special tools you will need. I bought an aftermarket filter wrench, primary chain adjustment tool, and the HD belt temsion gage. I purchased a twin tank 120 psi air compressor which I use for drying the bike after washings, powering tools, and ensuring my tire pressures are within specs. Maintenance is not difficult, nore is it very time consuming. The first time around will be a learning experienc, but after that its money in the bank!