After reading a couple of comments on here about draining the oil for a service I've been searching underneath the bike for this elusive tube. One even said that going over a bump, or kerb or something, the tube got caught and the plug was pulled out so I was sure I'd find it hanging.
Been looking on and off for a couple of hours before I resorted to RTFM.
There it was, a great diagram in the manual for my XL1200T, the tube does not hang down, it hangs up held by a clip!
Not that I'm ready to do an oil change, I only got the bike 2 weeks ago but I'm just familiarising myself with all aspects of it. What I did find is I need to get into the nooks and crannies and give it a good clean!
Found it at last. This one was taken with a torch highlighting the tube and showing the 'squared' clip just on the edge of the torchlight.
They changed the location in 2014 I believe.
The oil tank is slightly different but I think the older models could be upgraded with the new drain line and clamp setup.
My 2013 is like this, the drain goes down tube #11
After reading a couple of comments on here about draining the oil for a service I've been searching underneath the bike for this elusive tube. One even said that going over a bump, or kerb or something, the tube got caught and the plug was pulled out so I was sure I'd find it hanging.
Been looking on and off for a couple of hours before I resorted to RTFM.
There it was, a great diagram in the manual for my XL1200T, the tube does not hang down, it hangs up held by a clip!
Not that I'm ready to do an oil change, I only got the bike 2 weeks ago but I'm just familiarising myself with all aspects of it. What I did find is I need to get into the nooks and crannies and give it a good clean!
Found it at last. This one was taken with a torch highlighting the tube and showing the 'squared' clip just on the edge of the torchlight.
You Tube is your friend. Hundreds upon hundreds of videos everything you pretty much need you can find. Plus get your self a Service Manual, best tool you can own.
Gosh David the plastic part with the V cut in it is supposed to be black! lol.
You must have missed the last sentence when I said " What I did find is I need to get into the nooks and crannies and give it a good clean!"
I didn't notice many dirty parts until I lay on my back looking for the tube!!! We are due some good weather this coming weekend and next week so I think that is one day sorted, clean and polish the 'T'.
I take the saddlebags off when I clean mine so I can get to the back wheel and swing arm.
Each is held on with two 1/2" AF flange nuts. It is only a couple of minutes to get them off.
Yeah, I used to take the hard panniers off the CTX1300 when I cleaned her, pretty easy and the bags on the 'T' Sportster look just as easy.
Should get time to do this in the next few days, off to a National Rally of the RBL Riders on Friday for the weekend so want her looking her best
07-09-2019, 02:03 PM
Hunt for the oil drain tube!
