hello all. First off I apologize if in the wrong forum, and for the stupidity im about to epxress. I own a 2002 fatboy, and purchased a service manual for it.(some one put it on cd for me in pdf format so probably not the exact manual but it was only 10 bucks) Im going to attempt to do the oil change myself, and then read up on changing the tranny, primary fluids. My question is: read some articles talking about difference between synthetic and regular...once i drain the oil, if i refill it with synthetic, is that all thats required to make transition to synthetic if i go that route( dont have contact with previous owner so unsure what was run through it) or am i missing something. also read that if you use syntheitc oil, you can use that same oil for the tranny and the primary? im by no means a mechanic(if you couldnt already tell) but i want to start doing the small stuff myself with the bike....from the manual for an oil change: pull plug, drain oil, check o ring, pull filter replace with new, add couple ounces to new filter and add bead of oil to lip of new filter and put new filter on. Does say to only turn to certain amount of pressure and since i dont know tools im assuming just slightly had tightening will work? again apologize for ignorance.

 

Your not missing anything. Typically 20W-50.

Yes. Same viscosity oil in all 3 holes. Personally, I'd recommend a good gear oil in the tranny.

Thats about it. Buy new O rings instead of checking, it's cheap insurance.
And when adding the new oil, add two quarts into the oil tank, start and run the bike for a minute or so, then check the level. It may only need another half quart or so. You go dumping 3 quarts in from jump street and I can guarantee that it will be overfull.

 

DD&Weevil pretty much nailed it. 20W-50 in engine and primary and 75W-90/110/140 in the tranny. The below thread is a bit lengthy but was a huge help for me the first time. Gets a little chippy on page 6, though.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...own-oil-5.html

You'll get a lot of opinions/recommendations on oil, but I'll throw out examples any way:

Engine and Primary:
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mcv.aspx

Transmission:
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/svg.aspx
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/svt.aspx
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/svo.aspx

Let us know if you need any more help.

 

Also, being new to the basics you're better off getting a torque wrench to get the appropriate pressure when tightening. Just my opinion, though.

 

I''d suggest find a friend who knows what hes doing or find a Indy near U that will let U watch and learn and have them do the first oil change....

I've read some horror stories in here on newbies 1st oil changes,, Its not hard but if U have little or no wrenching experience, U must be careful not to mess up.

Read through some of these threads to learn about oils..
We all have our favorite,, THERE IS NO "BEST" ONE....
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/oil-a...ted-topics-30/

 

sorry double hit.

 

The manual will show you where boths drain plugs are located........the tranny plug is under the swingarm between the shocks. The manual doesn't tell you that the socket driver will get stuck between the shocks if you try to back it all the way out.....use a socket driver to loosen the plug then switch to a ball nose allen to completely remove it. Also remember to wipe the metal particles off the magnet on the end of the drain plug. New "O"-Ring is good advice.......it's cheap insurance. I use synthetic Screaming Eagle for the crank case and I use Harleys tranny fluid.......I know guys that use Screeaming Eagle for everything.