2005 Sportster 883 Oil Question
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 48
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From: MA
2005 Sportster 883 Oil Question
I just got a new bike. I have ordered the HD service manual. However I want to change the oil and the manual is not here yet. From what I've read I understand I use 3 quarts. Does anyone know the weight? And should I use synthetic?
Thanks
Thanks
Stellar HDF Member
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Honah Lee
Think the info is in the owners manual, if you do not have that, there is a free one on line at the Harley site. . Be real careful. Do not guess what plugs on bottom of bike are. Being a 05 think you check the level on the stick with bike upright. Cold, it should be midway on stick between the marks, unlike a car. Mine is upright, newer Sports are on the stand. The Moble 1 15-50 works for me, but the die herds will say 20-50 motorcycle oil. Get you 4 quarts for touch up later. Either synthetic or prime rib t-rex is fine. You will never know the difference.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; May 4, 2013 at 12:42 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 74
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From: South GA
Using 20w50 Amsoil in mine. Napa gold filter(made by Wix) beautiful filter, extremely well made, not expensive.
You can look up filter cutaway video that's on youtube, where the guy cuts up a bunch of filters. Worth a look.
You can look up filter cutaway video that's on youtube, where the guy cuts up a bunch of filters. Worth a look.
Last edited by JoelS; May 4, 2013 at 08:21 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 74
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From: South GA
I have an 05. the plug is on the bottom and the drain hose is attached to a slip on plastic bracket that is on the bottom of the frame near near where regular footpeg would be. You loosen a hose clamp, and then use a low pan to drain, being careful to get as much oil on your hands and floor as possible. Then you wrap the oil filter with a old rag, clean one of course,so oil doesn't get all over the frame and then the oil saturated rag goes ahead and leaks old oil all over the frame, so now you have oil dripping off the frame, and you have to go get a bunch of rags to clean oil off the frame, being careful, not to get oil on the wheels, because like the Harley manual says, "be sure not to get fluids on tires, because this can lead to serious injury or death". Just kidding. the oil filter is messy, no matter how much I wrapped it , it was a mess, oil dripped from rag all over.
Put about 2 quarts and .4 and then run bike and see where the level is. Like somebody else mentioned the bike runs ok when the level is in the middle of the stick, when hot. I'm noticing almost no oil blow into the carb. If you overfill, like mine was when I got it, it will blow into air cleaner, for sure.
Put about 2 quarts and .4 and then run bike and see where the level is. Like somebody else mentioned the bike runs ok when the level is in the middle of the stick, when hot. I'm noticing almost no oil blow into the carb. If you overfill, like mine was when I got it, it will blow into air cleaner, for sure.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 731
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From: Windsor Ontario
I usually grab a newspaper and make a 'spillway' under the oil filter to minimize the mess. If you want to spend the cash HD offers a plastic 'oil catcher drain oil funnel' p/n 63794-10 for $20.
Warm the engine for a few minutes before draining the oil, to draw any excess oil out of the sump back into the tank. Use synthetic or dino 20w-50 in the engine, 3 quarts. Put one quart in the primary (after you drain it) you can use the same oil. I use ATF in the primary. Easy-peasy, you can find youtube videos showing this.
Warm the engine for a few minutes before draining the oil, to draw any excess oil out of the sump back into the tank. Use synthetic or dino 20w-50 in the engine, 3 quarts. Put one quart in the primary (after you drain it) you can use the same oil. I use ATF in the primary. Easy-peasy, you can find youtube videos showing this.
