Doing Your Own Oil Change While Touring
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
I sure wouldn't try using it to change my oil.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 243
From: Maine
My thoughts exactly!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
As I've already commented, there really is no need to change oil and filter during this trip. My Evo has 2,500 mile services and when we visited the USA and Canada a few years ago covered almost 3,500 miles. I didn't change oil or filter, simply checked regularly and topped her up, around 3 US quarts as I recall. So she changed her own oil along the way!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,576
Likes: 7,953
From: Long Island, New York
I have done road trips over 10k, yes you could bring a couple of wrenches and as stated go to Autozone or the like with your foil pan and do it yourself. But as also stated, ride in oil changes at the dealership are pretty common and take less then an hour. I would suggest figuring out when you will hit 5k, or there abouts, and pick a dealership now and call them. Make an appointment so they are not surprised by your visit. I did this at Copper Canyon HD in Butte MT, three hole change less then an hour. I decided to do it at the end of my day riding, rolled in 4 out before they closed at 5. No complaints from them, I was expected. Dinner, beer, sleep, ride the next morning.
So you can:
1- change your oil before you leave and run it for 6k miles (somehow the trip always turn out to be more miles then planned?!?!)
2- Go to a dealership and get it changed
3- Autozone parking lot
You will be fine whichever one you pick. For me I like #2, and I would do all three fluids. The oil is the hardest due to the filter, the other two are simple. Good luck and enjoy your ride.
So you can:
1- change your oil before you leave and run it for 6k miles (somehow the trip always turn out to be more miles then planned?!?!)
2- Go to a dealership and get it changed
3- Autozone parking lot
You will be fine whichever one you pick. For me I like #2, and I would do all three fluids. The oil is the hardest due to the filter, the other two are simple. Good luck and enjoy your ride.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 415
From: Southern Maryland
Another opinion
Hopefully this is the answer you're looking for, take a 5/8" socket and 3/8" ratchet. I would also change the primary oil since mine always looks like crap when I change it.
To drain the primary, you need the same 5/8" socket and a good T27 torx head bit, and a socket that fits it. You may need an adapter to go from the 3/8" drive to 1/4" drive socket for the torx. I would change the filter also, but that's just me.
The tranny will be fine as the interval is beyond your ride limits. Finding a place to do this may be a problem, and rags to wipe things up, and containers to catch the oil, and disposing of the oil. Make sure you document the maintenance to protect the warranty, and after seeing what's involved, you might want to reconsider going to a dealer, getting the engine oil, primary oil and new filter replaced, no muss, no fuss, no tools, no worries, warranty checked.
To drain the primary, you need the same 5/8" socket and a good T27 torx head bit, and a socket that fits it. You may need an adapter to go from the 3/8" drive to 1/4" drive socket for the torx. I would change the filter also, but that's just me.
The tranny will be fine as the interval is beyond your ride limits. Finding a place to do this may be a problem, and rags to wipe things up, and containers to catch the oil, and disposing of the oil. Make sure you document the maintenance to protect the warranty, and after seeing what's involved, you might want to reconsider going to a dealer, getting the engine oil, primary oil and new filter replaced, no muss, no fuss, no tools, no worries, warranty checked.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
I change my oil when its due no matter where I am. I carry a filter wrench, funnels and the tools I need to get the job done. I use Mobil 1 V-twin that I get at Auto Zone. They will let you change in the parking lot, furnish you with cardboard boxes for soakers so you don't get oil on the ground, and most will let you use a catch pan. If you do get a little on the ground they will let you use their oil soak material. Once you are through, they will take the used oil and dispose of it for you.
Bill
Bill
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Unofficial HDF Chaplain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,160
Likes: 18,083
From: san diego
I change my oil when its due no matter where I am. I carry a filter wrench, funnels and the tools I need to get the job done. I use Mobil 1 V-twin that I get at Auto Zone. They will let you change in the parking lot, furnish you with cardboard boxes for soakers so you don't get oil on the ground, and most will let you use a catch pan. If you do get a little on the ground they will let you use their oil soak material. Once you are through, they will take the used oil and dispose of it for you.
Bill
Bill
this kind of stuff amazes me
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 631
Likes: 17
From: Finger Lakes NY
