Oil Change

[davek]

Is it just me or does anyone else that does their own work think HD could do a lot better on making things user friendly ?? Harley makes a great bike and I really like my 2015 Tri but changing the oil filter still sucks after all these years...There are all kinds of different ideas on the oil filter problem but I have not found anything that works worth a darn...Then the drain plugs,,,,We now use an O ring that needs replacing every time you unscrew the plug..And the trans plug is hard to get to and puts oil on top of the center brace....Only to drip later...With all the money we have all paid for these things, maybe HD could listen to the customer ?

On another note, has anyone here put on the Hayden M6 primary chain tensioner on their trike? I have had one on my 93 FLHS for years and it really quieted shifting down....And we all know the Tri could use some help in that dept.

Thanks, Dave

 

[Peter A.]

CHANGE???

I agree with you 100% - been riding these machines for almost 50
years and don't see where the MoCo is any where near 'user friently' - come on Harley, WAKE UP!

BTW davek: I have a 1988 FLHS in my garage right now
that I bought new!

:Shrug:

 

[1dn5up]

There are lots of things HD could improve on, but Willie has deaf ears, or maybe his hat is too tight. Anyway, DK customs, one of our sponsors, has a filter relocation kit for your needs.
As far as the O ring goes, it's a standard size and cheeper by the dozen to have on hand.
Tranney noise, try Redline Shockproof trans oil. I have a 91 FLH and that's a noisey trans. My 12 Tri trans is smooth and quiet. So those are my suggestions.

 

[MB1953]

There are lots of things HD could improve on, but Willie has deaf ears, or maybe his hat is too tight. Anyway, DK customs, one of our sponsors, has a filter relocation kit for your needs.
As far as the O ring goes, it's a standard size and cheeper by the dozen to have on hand.
Tranney noise, try Redline Shockproof trans oil. I have a 91 FLH and that's a noisey trans. My 12 Tri trans is smooth and quiet. So those are my suggestions.

+1 on all counts...

 

[milemaker]

This is how I change my oil filter with no leaking, dripping, or any mess.

Take a piece of aluminum flashing used for roofing or gutters. Cut it about 10 or 12inches long and about 3 or 3 ½ inches wide. Fold it long ways in half but only about 70 degrees or so. Cut one end about a half inch in on the fold. Take the two half inch sections and fold the ends up to create a stop. Slide the folded up end in from the left side of the bike under the oil filter. Make sure the folded up end goes beyond the filter mounting surface. Turn the oil filter till it starts to leak into the aluminum trough. The oil will run the length of the trough to the left side of the bike and into a drain pan or can. No mess, no drips on the frame or engine parts.

Only takes a few minutes.

 

[consitter]

This is my first Harley, well second, but I only had the first on for 2 months before I traded it for the TG, so I have a question that about a tranny.

Do they all go CLUNK into first gear?

 

[rhino 2]

This is my first Harley, well second, but I only had the first on for 2 months before I traded it for the TG, so I have a question that about a tranny. Do they all go CLUNK into first gear?

All mine did....[Do]......You'll get many thoughts on how not to make it clunk... Tried them all.... Still clunks...With no apparent harm..
I had a Honda 929 that when i hit first it sounded like i hit the case's with a sledge,;No harm there either...

 

[consitter]

All mine did....[Do]......You'll get many thoughts on how not to make clunk... Tried them all.... Still clunks...With no apparent harm..

I kind of figured that. Thanks for re-enforcing that in my head.

- - - Updated - - -

This is how I change my oil filter with no leaking, dripping, or any mess.

Take a piece of aluminum flashing used for roofing or gutters. Cut it about 10 or 12inches long and about 3 or 3 ½ inches wide. Fold it long ways in half but only about 70 degrees or so. Cut one end about a half inch in on the fold. Take the two half inch sections and fold the ends up to create a stop. Slide the folded up end in from the left side of the bike under the oil filter. Make sure the folded up end goes beyond the filter mounting surface.

Turn the oil filter till it starts to leak into the aluminum trough. The oil will run the length of the trough to the left side of the bike and into a drain pan or can. No mess, no drips on the frame or engine parts. Only takes a few minutes.

You couldn't make this into a youtube video could you? It loses me pretty quick reading it, but if I can SEE it, I'll get it.

 

[5x40]

it's called dealer support by manufacturer. more dollars are brought in through the shop than from motorcycle sales. if maintenance even at the lowest echelon was designed to be user friendly; the dealerships would lose big dollars.

 

[Fearless]

good luck

I will keep you in my prayers ThumbUp Fuzz wrench safely fearless

 

[Fearless]

The Lords time


On his time not ours ya kno! ThumbUp fearless

 

[milemaker]

Simple Oil Filter Change Gutter

Finally remembered to take a picture of the tin piece that I bent in half for changing my oil filter. I cant believe everyone doesn't do this. I don't get any oil on the motor, frame or anywhere but in the drain pan. I sure wouldn't do the mashed in rag thing and have to clean it all up. Here are pictures of the little tin gutter.

Milemaker

 

[HDB0B]

 

[Gorilla]

Good thinking BOB. Simple and effective

 

[Recycledteen]

I used an old alum license plate when I did it, but the plastic oil can cut is a great idea!!!! Although I will say I bite the bullet and put DK Customs Oil Filter relocation kit on and am very happy indeed.

 

[geezerglide11441]

View attachment 35346

Great idea Bob!! One other thing I used to do (prior to installing the DK Customs relocation kit) was (prior to un-screwing the filter) to take a sharp end punch and punch a hole in the top of the filter and then rotate the filter (in the off direction) until the hole was at the bottom. Then remove the oil filler cap to let some air in the system and the oil in the filter almost completely drained out prior to completely removing the filter.

Worked for me anyway!!

Roger

 

[Fearless]

well how is cruise now

Just checking in how are you and the wing getting along now? :Shrug:

 

[Raxus]

I just put some paper shop towels under the filter. When done changing the filter and filling the oil I just spray some brake cleaner in there and wipe off. Done. Easy peasy.


Rax

 

[davek]

oil catch gizmo

Hey HDBob... I tried your method and it made a heck of a mess all over my bench....You should have told me to empty the gallon of oil first !!!!!!! Just kidding and it looks like a great idea....Maybe HD could put one in the tool kit,,,Oh Wait,they don't have tool kits anymore....I guess with only costing 35/40 thousand the kit was too much? Dave

 

[Texan]

View attachment 35346

GREAT idea !

8~\o

 

[jimmer116]

Oil changing..Mr Davek

Yes buddy, I "feel" your frustration on changing oil. What I found was to use Harley's yellow plastic funnel thingy. Butt, I first put a rag in there around the filter with a long item - long flat tip screw driver, stick, etc - so you have a "diaper" to contain oil seepage. So with the rag in place along with the funnel I drilled two holes in the filter "head". One on top & one on bottom. Had to use a LONG 1/4 inch bit. That way the pressurized oil was able to weep out into the funnel thingy & into a pan. Yes it's time consuming, but VERY little oil dribbles down on the frame & other items! Otherwise, pay the $$ at a dealer to do it. Keep the rubber down & leather up buddy!

 

[screwball]

I decided that when it took me as long to get up off the floor as it did to do the whole service that I was too old to be doing that anymore. Decided long ago that the garage floor was just that, a garage floor. A few oil spots would just blend in with the years of spilled stuff, battery acid stains, and God knows what else is down there.

Why would Harley make servicing the motorcycles easier?? They make a ton of money from old farts like me that are too old and arthritic to crawl around on the floor. Hell, I can hardly feel a bolt, let alone tighten one. Most of my mechanics tools are there just to polish, or loan to my sons so they can forget to return them......

 

[njtrike]

Milemaker I made up one of the drain pans that you described and it worked perfectly. Not a drop of oil on the trike. Thanks for sharing a great idea.

 

[DK Custom Products]

With the Oil Filter Relocation, it does not get any faster or easier than this!

Plus your Tri-Glide will run cooler!

Kevin

 

[geezerglide11441]

With the Oil Filter Relocation, it does not get any faster or easier than this!

Plus your Tri-Glide will run cooler!

Kevin

:Agree: 100% Best thing I have done regarding maintenance to my Bike!! Really don't mind changing oil now, that is other than to EBS!! epper:

Roger

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

I agree with you 100% - been riding these machines for almost 50
years and don't see where the MoCo is any where near 'user friently' - come on Harley, WAKE UP!

BTW davek: I have a 1988 FLHS in my garage right now
that I bought new!

:Shrug:

I have an 1989 FLHS also

- - - Updated - - -

This is my first Harley, well second, but I only had the first on for 2 months before I traded it for the TG, so I have a question that about a tranny.

Do they all go CLUNK into first gear?

If i pull the clutch in and wait for about 30 sec it seems to help,but this 16 is by far the loudest trans of any bike,

 

[mikestrike]

Kevin, Question regarding the Oil Relocation Kit. I understand that in a normal oil change there will always be a little contaminate oil in the bottom end of the engine left over. Looking at the pictures, the new oil lines are running lower under the bike and up to the new filter location. Wouldn't this add a considerable amount of contaminated oil left behind due to the length of the oil lines, resulting in possible engine issues?

With the Oil Filter Relocation, it does not get any faster or easier than this!

Plus your Tri-Glide will run cooler!

Kevin