Honestly, I bought a jack (Red Craftsman one) because I would need it servicing the bike, but I find it just gets in the way. I never use it anymore when changing the fluids A shallow drain pan will fit under everything. I don't know about a fill plug behind the derby cover, that's new to me. That happens to me a lot though. Just don't get all carried away guttentite torquing everything. If you have a torque wrench use it, otherwise stick to 1/4" drive tools--nothing should be so tight you can't loosen it with that, nor does it require any more than that to tighten things back up. Most guys who get in trouble doing their own service did so by getting carried away overtorquing things. It's about a 3 beer job, one for each hole. Have fun getting to know your bike.

 

I don't use a jack to change the oils in my bike. I just stand it up right while it's draining. The shop manual is a must. The one that Harley carries is better than Haynes and Chilton. When I get a bike or car, the manual is the first thing I get.

I also purchased this lift when I got my last hardtail springer.... it was always going in for surgery. http://www.harborfreight.com/high-po...ift-99887.html
I like this lift because it has a lock pin to ensure the jack doesn't bleed down if you need to keep the bike on the lift for an extended period of time. I also use ratchet straps to secure the bike if I plan on lifting it more than an inch or two off the ground.

 

I have read and talked to a few people about proper way to change oil and here is what I c ome up with as proper.take the bike for a ride get it hot drain oil remove filter pour some oil in the new filter install it. Chek o ring on the drain plug replace if needed install drain plug . Add oil to the oil tank my deluxe uses around 2.8 quarts with the filter. Take the bike for a ride check oil top off if needed. A lot of guys over fill there oil and then have it coming out of the breather. My bike take 2.8 quarts not 3 if I put three in it it will be coming out the breather . Every one has there special way of changing there oil. I use this procedure and it works for me. Some will agree and some won't so be it just my version of what I took from the manual and a top teck. I also have a procedure for winter lay up and that is to change my oil not start the bike add a full tank of gas will adding stabilizer put the bike on my jack getting the wheels off the ground plug in the battery tender cover the bike some riders put something in the exhaust to keep ver it's out .in the spring I remove the plugs give each cylinder a shot of marvel oil fire up the bike and I'm on my way. O yea one more thing I give it a good cleaning before putting it to rest

 

I always remove the derby cover before draining the fluid. You have to refill through there and some have trouble with one of the five screws. Just a little safety net.

 

Misspoke there. Not really a fill plug. Just stick a funnel in there and fill the case.

 

Just want to echo what Nikon said about the 2.8 qts. He is absolutley correct there. If you read 3.5 for oil capacity and dump 3.5 qts in there you will have a mess. 2 qts plus 24 oz works for me as well. Don't fill the case on the primary either. A qt will do that, the fluid should just be a the bottom of the clutch. It's a great way to **** away an afternoon in the garage, drink some beer and still be able to pat yourself on the back for the money you saved.

 

I love that thing, all the way up is just perfect for me to sit on a stool and change a clutch, pull a swingarm, anything on the low end. Only problem I've had with it is the arms are wider apart than standard roll around jacks and won't fit every Harley well enough to suit me, so I added an arm extension that fixed that for me. Here's a thread about that:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...-a-sporty.html

I can change oil with this jack, but it's probably overkill for someone that can kneel down without knee or back problems.

 

Nice lift, I see HF has it on sale for $179.99 and there is also a 25% off coupon.


Coupon code

65149244

Going to pick one up tomorrow

 

The arms are wider than most jacks, if you want to measure your bike to be sure it'll fit, it's 13" between the inboard sides and the arms are 2" square tube, 17" from outboard side to outboard side. At first it's kinda scary seeing your bike that far off the floor.

It's real nice for wheel changes, has a **** that lets you take it down real slow for lining up axles; some of those pedal releases drop it pretty fast; my standard bike jack sure does. Hope you like it.

 

I've never had a major issues with my Harley or my chopper when I had it but when I bought a ZZR600 for a quick repair/flip I found that the exhaust prevented me from using the jack (or any jack for that matter.) When my Chopper I had to angle the jack to keep from hitting the kickstand.

I don't know if the the jack comes with improved ratchet straps but I'd pick up a set of heavy duty ones at HF when you pick up the jack. Well worth the investment.