Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

1997 Road King

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 5, 2010 | 07:33 AM
  #1  
sax man's Avatar
sax man
Thread Starter
|
Stage II
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Bognor Regis, United Kingdom
Default 1997 Road King

Hi Folks,

What engine oil should I use in a 1997 road king. Does it have a wet clutch?

I inherited the bike from my late Father and it has not been used for the last two years and I want to change the oil before I use it. The bike has only done 2000 miles so I think the oil filter will still be okay.

Please bear in mind that the brands of oil we can get here in the UK may be different from what is available in the US.

Mant thanks.

sax man
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2010 | 07:47 AM
  #2  
dawg's Avatar
dawg
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,580
Likes: 3,957
From: Vermont
Default

Change the filter with the oil change. If you are keeping the bike, pick up a service manual from HD. Your bike takes 20w50 motor oil. Put about 3.5 quarts in. It does have a wet clutch and you should fill the primary until the fluid just covers the bottom of the clutch basket (generally about 1 qt). The tranny takes 20-24oz and you should run 22oz. I would run a good 75/90 gear oil or something like Redline Shockproof Heavy if available over there. The primary you can use Dexron III ATF or some folks run motor oil in it or HD Formula+ I would also change your brake fluid. Do get a manual though because you should do all the critical fasteners, check chain tension, belt tension, etc.
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2010 | 10:17 AM
  #3  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Default

Originally Posted by sax man
Hi Folks,

What engine oil should I use in a 1997 road king. Does it have a wet clutch?

I inherited the bike from my late Father and it has not been used for the last two years and I want to change the oil before I use it. The bike has only done 2000 miles so I think the oil filter will still be okay.

Please bear in mind that the brands of oil we can get here in the UK may be different from what is available in the US.

Mant thanks.

sax man
Welcome to HDF from the UK. You can hardly expect north American owners to know what oil to recommend you use in the UK!

As suggested, change the oil filter with your oil. That really is a given. Change all the oils. You can get the correct oils from your local friendly Harley dealer or independent. If your dad had a factory workshop manual dig it out and refer to it for servicing info.
 
Reply
Old May 6, 2010 | 07:39 AM
  #4  
sax man's Avatar
sax man
Thread Starter
|
Stage II
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Bognor Regis, United Kingdom
Default Engine Oil

Thanks for your advice, it may seem trivial but my nearest Harley dealer is over an hour away.

I also ride a Honda Deauville which I don't think you have in the US but with that bike I can go to my local dealer and buy motor cycle oil to the spec in the handbook.

I'm pretty sure the Harley manual quotes Harley part numbers which doesn't help sort out the right grades.
 
Reply
Old May 6, 2010 | 07:51 AM
  #5  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Default

Originally Posted by sax man
Thanks for your advice, it may seem trivial but my nearest Harley dealer is over an hour away.

I also ride a Honda Deauville which I don't think you have in the US but with that bike I can go to my local dealer and buy motor cycle oil to the spec in the handbook.

I'm pretty sure the Harley manual quotes Harley part numbers which doesn't help sort out the right grades.
For further help send me a private message (click on my name above).
 
Reply
Old May 6, 2010 | 05:18 PM
  #6  
Ultra89Rider's Avatar
Ultra89Rider
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 9
From: SoCal & West TN
Default

Originally Posted by dawg
Change the filter with the oil change..... The primary you can use Dexron III ATF or some folks run motor oil in it or HD Formula+ ... Do get a manual though because you should do all the critical fasteners, check chain tension, belt tension, etc.
I agree with changing the filter and getting the Service Manual, but get a Part Catalog too.

I strongly disagree with the suggestion that you use Automatic Transmission Fluid in the Primary. In the Primary there is a Chain and Clutch Plates to lubricate. ATF does not have the lubrication factors for the chain and has additives that can hurt the plates and seals. You can use Harley Oil or get Amsoil. When you get the Service manual, you will see the fluids to use.
 

Last edited by Ultra89Rider; May 6, 2010 at 05:20 PM.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
J.R. White
Sportster Models
44
Sep 30, 2012 06:48 AM
tmacracin
Dyna Glide Models
6
Apr 2, 2012 07:24 PM
Sharkman73
Sportster Models
21
Oct 1, 2011 06:01 PM
10_amp
Oil Archive (no new posts)
2
Nov 23, 2008 05:31 PM
Aroberts
Oil Archive (no new posts)
14
May 15, 2007 11:46 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:04 PM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE