Do It Yourself Fluid Changes
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 900
Likes: 1
From: Denver, CO
Do It Yourself Fluid Changes
I've done the Google and forum searches and watched a few how-to vids so I think I've got it down but want to double check a few things. I've got one last dealer fluid change coming as part of the bike purchase, but then I will be doing them on my own. So for my 13 Heritage Classic:
Engine: Fill plug and dipstick next to the seat by right thigh. Drain plug located at the end of the hose coming off the bottom of the oil tank. Right side, bottom of frame. Easy enough.
Transmission: Fill plug and dipstick located below the engine oil tank and recessed a bit into the bike frame. Takes an allen wrench and looks to be a bit tight in there. Drain plug; no idea. Seems like it's directly under the bike dead center? Is this right? Do I need a bike jack to accomplish this?
Primary: Fill plug behind derby inspection cover. Drain plug directly under and to the rear of the derby inspection cover. Don't need to remove derby cover to get to this. Sort of directly across on the opposite side of the bike from the engine drain plug. Takes a socket wrench.
This all sound about right? And where is that tranny drain plug??? I don't have a bike jack, but feel like maybe this is something I should purchase now. Thx for the assist.
Engine: Fill plug and dipstick next to the seat by right thigh. Drain plug located at the end of the hose coming off the bottom of the oil tank. Right side, bottom of frame. Easy enough.
Transmission: Fill plug and dipstick located below the engine oil tank and recessed a bit into the bike frame. Takes an allen wrench and looks to be a bit tight in there. Drain plug; no idea. Seems like it's directly under the bike dead center? Is this right? Do I need a bike jack to accomplish this?
Primary: Fill plug behind derby inspection cover. Drain plug directly under and to the rear of the derby inspection cover. Don't need to remove derby cover to get to this. Sort of directly across on the opposite side of the bike from the engine drain plug. Takes a socket wrench.
This all sound about right? And where is that tranny drain plug??? I don't have a bike jack, but feel like maybe this is something I should purchase now. Thx for the assist.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I've done the Google and forum searches and watched a few how-to vids so I think I've got it down but want to double check a few things. I've got one last dealer fluid change coming as part of the bike purchase, but then I will be doing them on my own. So for my 13 Heritage Classic:
Engine: Fill plug and dipstick next to the seat by right thigh. Drain plug located at the end of the hose coming off the bottom of the oil tank. Right side, bottom of frame. Easy enough.
Transmission: Fill plug and dipstick located below the engine oil tank and recessed a bit into the bike frame. Takes an allen wrench and looks to be a bit tight in there. Drain plug; no idea. Seems like it's directly under the bike dead center? Is this right? Do I need a bike jack to accomplish this?
Primary: Fill plug behind derby inspection cover. Drain plug directly under and to the rear of the derby inspection cover. Don't need to remove derby cover to get to this. Sort of directly across on the opposite side of the bike from the engine drain plug. Takes a socket wrench.
This all sound about right? And where is that tranny drain plug??? I don't have a bike jack, but feel like maybe this is something I should purchase now. Thx for the assist.
Engine: Fill plug and dipstick next to the seat by right thigh. Drain plug located at the end of the hose coming off the bottom of the oil tank. Right side, bottom of frame. Easy enough.
Transmission: Fill plug and dipstick located below the engine oil tank and recessed a bit into the bike frame. Takes an allen wrench and looks to be a bit tight in there. Drain plug; no idea. Seems like it's directly under the bike dead center? Is this right? Do I need a bike jack to accomplish this?
Primary: Fill plug behind derby inspection cover. Drain plug directly under and to the rear of the derby inspection cover. Don't need to remove derby cover to get to this. Sort of directly across on the opposite side of the bike from the engine drain plug. Takes a socket wrench.
This all sound about right? And where is that tranny drain plug??? I don't have a bike jack, but feel like maybe this is something I should purchase now. Thx for the assist.
.
Road Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 789
Likes: 3
From: Utah
You can change all fluids without a bike jack. I use a wheel chock to get the bike straight up and down. Makes it easier to get to the primary plug and gets more fluid out than when leaned on the kick stand.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
A jack is not nessessary to do fluid changes but IMO it does make it a little easier. A jack will also make cleaning and detailing your bike much, much more easier, especially when doing your wheels and tires so you kill 2 birds with one stone.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,040
Likes: 12,960
From: Texas, USA
Hopefully these links will provide some useful information. Refer to your service manual if there are differences between the website and your bike.
Engine oil
http://www.dudeworld.com.au/HOWTO.ENGINE.HTML
Primary fluid
http://www.dudeworld.com.au/HOWTO.PRIMARY.HTML
Tranny fluid
http://www.dudeworld.com.au/HOWTO.GEARBOX.HTML
Engine oil
http://www.dudeworld.com.au/HOWTO.ENGINE.HTML
Primary fluid
http://www.dudeworld.com.au/HOWTO.PRIMARY.HTML
Tranny fluid
http://www.dudeworld.com.au/HOWTO.GEARBOX.HTML
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 553
Likes: 455
From: Fort Wayne in
Best thing to do is to buy the Service manual. Has all the info, and it is money well spent, in order to save money on maintenance from now on.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
Dealer maintenance on your Harley is really expensive; a manual and jack will pay for themselves easily. There are youtube videos on almost everything Harley, so you can watch someone else do it, see what it looks like taken apart, and decide if that's in your skill comfort zone before trying. With a jack, you can pull wheels off and take them in for a tire change - just about anyone is going to charge a lot more to pull the wheels off than to change the tire. At my age, kneeling down to do about anything on the bike is painful; besides a standard type jack on wheels, I have a hi lift Harbor Freight jack (won't roll with a bike on it) that lifts the bike high enough I've changed a clutch with it at chest height sitting on a stool. I always tie a bike to the lift so it can't be bumped over, too, regardless of ads that claim being sturdy enough they don't need to be tied.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Florida
Transmission: Fill plug and dipstick located below the engine oil tank and recessed a bit into the bike frame. Takes an allen wrench and looks to be a bit tight in there. Drain plug; no idea. Seems like it's directly under the bike dead center? Is this right? Do I need a bike jack to accomplish this?