Right now I'm riding a softail. Over the last 45 years I've ridden German, Jap, English and Italian but I like Harleys. I know that they are an old engine design updated with technology and that there are more up to date brands out there with more power etc etc. and I accept that.

But what I can't abide is stupid and that oil filter setup on my softail is as dumb as it gets.

I've done a search and come up with the tinfoil solution (the "funnel, not the hat) and the pop bottle solution. I've tried cardboard funnels or trenches saran wrap etc. Is there any other ideas out there to avoid the slop that the oil change inevitably brings or is this as good as it gets.

JW

 

A little oil on the front keeps things from rustin up....

 

Harley actually sells a guard for doing oil changes which mimics the tin foil idea. After using it probably 20 times I think it worked successfully once lol. It catches the bulk but still leaks all over. Now when im done I spray it down with degreaser and hose it off. It is what it is. You should see 09 and up touring bikes. One drain plug is accessed thru a hole in the frame and when it drains it leaks all over the frame underneath. What a pain. Its good if the bikes straight up on a jack but then I can't get a drain pan in there.

 

I use a Form a Funnel by P.I.G., I bought it from our local Snap On guy, it works really good. I just wipe off what little I spill with some Isopropyl alcohol and a rag. http://www.formafunnel.com/

 

Ive tried a lot different ways I still cant get it right. Now I just stuff a rag under there and pull the filter out. There are a few methods out there that might help .

 

Just got a P.I.G. funnel myself from Griot's Garage. $20 plus shipping. If you think the oil filter is bad, wait til you do the trans! What a treat! Now we're talking fun!

 

i gave up trying to catch all the mess. tried all the above in some form or another. pita for sure. i just yank the filter, and clean things up. try to time oil changes with a good wash...but not always. paint safe breakclean works good for me. steve

 

Just change the filter over a storm drain. No more mess!

 

I knew I hadn't thought of something!

 

OP - What old engine technology are you talking about? If it is air cooling your wrong. The first engines patented were water cooled. Later when they learned that lighter air cooled engines were a good application to airplanes and motorcycles with their exposed engines.

All the rest is the same from ECM's to ABS.