Oil capacity
They corrected the manual in 08.
The reservoir isn't supposed to be full, it's supposed to be filled to the 1/2 way point on the dipstick.
Trending Topics
Either I'm draining my engine a lot longer than most during an oil change or something weird's going on though because it definitely takes more than 3 quarts to get to the proper mark when I change the oil in my '07. Never quite 3.6, but generally between 3.2 and 3.3 quarts.
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
Either I'm draining my engine a lot longer than most during an oil change or something weird's going on though because it definitely takes more than 3 quarts to get to the proper mark when I change the oil in my '07. Never quite 3.6, but generally between 3.2 and 3.3 quarts.
You don't have an oil cooler do you?

No oil cooler. Though I'm including the amount of oil that I pour into the new filter in my total as well.
Usual process is:
- Get the bike up to operating temperature (oil temp between 150 and 200 degrees in the reservoir)
- Let the bike sit for ~15 minutes so that the exhaust cools
- Open the reservoir
- Remove the drain plug
- Let the bike drain for 20-30 minutes to ensure that it's empty
- Replace drain plug
- Remove old filter
- Allow area around the old filter to drain for a couple minutes
- Wipe dribbles off the frame under the oil filter
- Pour as much as I can get into the new oil filter without it coming out while I'm screwing the new filter on
- Screw on new filter
- Empty the remainder of the quart that I used to fill the new filter into the reservoir, along with an additional 2 quarts
- Replace reservoir cap
- Run the engine for 60 seconds to allow the system to re-pressurize and fill the internal oil galleries again
- Shut off engine and re-check level
- Add oil as needed to bring the level in the reservoir between the two lines on the dipstick
This most recent time it took something like 3.2 quarts. There is a noticeable drop in the reservoir level after running the engine the final time so I never trust an oil reading without doing that.
Last edited by Zenmervolt; Jun 16, 2012 at 09:42 PM.


