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Old Sep 2, 2025 | 05:09 PM
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Default Oil Filter
Hey guys
I'm new to this forum so not sure if i'm in the right section for this but i cant seem to find an oil filter on my 73 Sportster 1000cc XLCH. Is it possible there is none?

Thanks for any direction you can offer on this!
 
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Old Sep 2, 2025 | 05:31 PM
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Did you look in the oil tank?

 
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Sep 2, 2025 at 06:19 PM.
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Old Sep 2, 2025 | 06:42 PM
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Your 73 has a drop-in filter in the oil tank (assuming OEM).

https://www.jpcycles.com/product/mil...-xl-1957-1982?
 
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Old Sep 2, 2025 | 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by chopper_man
Your 73 has a drop-in filter in the oil tank (assuming OEM).

https://www.jpcycles.com/product/mil...-xl-1957-1982?
Thanks. I could try that but the oil tank cap has the dip stick attached to it so i dont think it would work?
 
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Old Sep 2, 2025 | 08:41 PM
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From: Masshole
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Originally Posted by CGL8181
Thanks. I could try that but the oil tank cap has the dip stick attached to it so i dont think it would work?
Then it's not a factory tank/cap. Post a picture of what you got.
Here's a stock tank, the lever loosens then the cover comes off. In it is the drop-in filter.


 
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Old Sep 2, 2025 | 08:50 PM
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Default 73 Sportster XLCH

This is what mine came with and the tank looks different than yours as well. The chrome cap youbsee there has a dipstick atrached to it. Thanks
This is what mine came with and the tank looks different than yours as well. The chrome cap youbsee there has a dipstick atrached to it. Thanks
 
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Old Sep 3, 2025 | 06:23 AM
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I missed that it was an XLCH, the picture I posted was an XLH. No oil filter then unless someone cut in to the return line and installed one.
 
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Old Sep 3, 2025 | 08:50 AM
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My first harley-davidson was a 1972 XLCH. The XLCH came from the factory without an oil filter.
 
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Old Sep 3, 2025 | 09:00 AM
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Should you- wish to add one, there are brackets that take the place of the front left motor mounting plate that accommodate a spin on filter
D Kirk # 3003501 $ 47 and ez install
 
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