Now don't get carried away I beg you on an oil brand discussion--but, here is my story. I own and have always ridden Harley Ultras, so I know what oil to use in all three holes--and how to change them.

But, my friend has a late model lovely Sportster that hasn't been ridden in awhile and I want to help her out by changing and checking the oil(s) in it. She has no idea about the mechanics of it since her now dead husband used to do all the maintenance. She may or may not have the operator's manual. I don't know.

So, is it like or unlike my Ultra. Does it have separate engine, transmission and primary oil? If not, then what oil goes where? I can look underneath it and readily see the obvious drain plugs, but I won't know which is for what components, probably.

Hazarding mentioning this to any oil nuts who read this, in my Ultra I exclusively use Redline products: 20-50 in engine, heavy shockproof in transmission, and MTL in primary.

Now, if you please--tell me how many different oils are required in the Sportster and how many drain plugs. Any other advice (aside from tire pressure, brake fluid and other obvious checks) on checking out this Sportster before firing it up again will be appreciated. Her Sportster has been on a battery tender so maybe the battery is good and maybe not. I have a multi-meter to check across the terminals to determine that myself.

Thank you.

 

Transmission and primary use a shared oil.Motor oil is 20W50 weight.

 

I have a 08 1200c.

The primary and motor oil are separate. I use 20/50 synthetic oil for the engine. And synthetic primary oil. The motor drain plug is on a rubber tubing behind the primary case. The primary drain is separate and located under the primary case. Note it is easier to add the primary fluid through the belt inspection plate.

I'm not sure about the fork oil, since I have not changed that yet.

Good luck.

 

Bought a new 2008 Sportster Roadster. Never took it to the dealer. Did all my own services. Very simple bike to work on. Mobile I V-twin oil in both holes and always used a Harley filter. Never had a problem with the bike. Used a Black and Decker battery trickle/conditioner type charger (Home Depot $19.00) came with quick connect that matched the plug on the Sportster. Still on original battery. A time or two I ran 100LL aviation fuel through it to keep here cleaned up inside.

 

Thank you all. I have the information I need now. Much easier than dealing with the Ultra, although that is not difficult either, just more involved.

 

Maybe buy her a can of Seafoam and add to the gas, it will help clean out any crud from sitting around and stabilize the fuel.

Only need one quart in the primary/transmission, 2.5 quarts approximately in the oil tank for the engine. Put a little oil in the filter when changing it too, to speed oil delivery.

John

 

Seafoam is a good idea. I use StarTron in my Ultra, but not knowing how long that gasoline has been sitting in the Sportster's tank, perhaps Seafoam is what to use. I have never used Seafoam, but I am impressed with the StarTron. I do not use it all the time.

After checking the battery voltage and current oil levels, we will try to fire it up and see how rough it sounds. By the way, are the newer Sportsters carbeurated or fuel injected? I never looked closely at her cycle.

 

2007 and up Sportsters are fuel injected.

 

Thanks. I so appreciate all the help I have received on these forums over the years. And I have even been able to help others too.

HDForums is a great community and information resource.