Oil chnge mess on '14 TriGlide

[MB1953]

OK, I must be missing something here. :xzqxz: In my softails (08 Heritage and 06 Deluxe) i had oil changes down pat. Bought the orange tray thingy that goes under the filterso that when you pull it the oil that runs out is funnelled into your drain pan. Tried that out for the first time on my new 14 Triglide... no such luck! There must be things in the way, as the oil in the filter ended up running down all over the front of the engine and all the wiring below; all of it!

Anyone have any tips for getting around this? I can't believe that this is the factory plan for maintenance.

Thanks,

 

[HDB0B]

Drain all engine oil first. Using harley oil filter tray put part way on and let tilt down .... Punch hole in end of filter and let drain. NOW take the filter off. That tray was designed for a bike on a kick stand. Your Tri Glide is LEVEL. Easiest to use a rag under the filter when spinning off.

Bob orag:

 

[MB1953]

Well, Duh! Never thought of that. I even had tried to punch the hole, but with the fairing lowers, lots of stuff in the way. Guess I will hve to get a longer poker for the next change.

Thanks!

 

[GARYD]

I just take the filter off then spray down the area with brake cleaner. 2 seconds = done. No fuss-no muss. ThumbUp

 

[arnie]

I'd say be careful with that brake cleaner,eventually it will remove the paint off your engine.

 

[Jerry/MD]

Cutting down a 2 Liter soda bottle helps contain the oil. Use a utility knife to cut off the bottom and a nice size window on top. Wrap and slide under the filter. You can insert the ratchet extension through the top hole. Works fairly well and the price is right.

jerry

 

[msocko3]

I'd say be careful with that brake cleaner,eventually it will remove the paint off your engine.

:Agree:Some break cleaners are very aggressive. I use a non flammable, non CFC break cleaner which doesn't harm paint.

 

[Bubba49]

Cutting down a 2 Liter soda bottle helps contain the oil. Use a utility knife to cut off the bottom and a nice size window on top. Wrap and slide under the filter. You can insert the ratchet extension through the top hole. Works fairly well and the price is right.

jerry

How does the oil come out of the bottle since the TG doesn't lean left like a 2 wheeler? Or is it a mute point since you should have already drained most oil out? Just wondering...

Bubba

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Isn't it easier to use the orange thingy and just tilt the trike?

 

[iaff84]

Isn't it easier to use the orange thingy and just tilt the trike?

Is there an "S" on the front of your shirt??:xzqxz:

 

[RcSuD]

Is there an "S" on the front of your shirt??:xzqxz:

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

[Postal Trucker]

:Agree:Some break cleaners are very aggressive. I use a non flammable, non CFC break cleaner which doesn't harm paint.

As GaryD and msoko3 have said, I have tried every thing to change the oil filter and had no luck not getting oil on the front of the motor. After the oil change I too use the brake parts cleaner (non chlorinated) then give the trike a good cleaning.

 

[MB1953]

Isn't it easier to use the orange thingy and just tilt the trike?

Well there is another option I never thought of... use my small floor jack and lift the right rear! Trike tilted... the S is for Smart! (still have to remember to punch a hole in the filter to let it drain) Thanks, Wiz!

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Well there is another option I never thought of... use my small floor jack and lift the right rear! Trike tilted... the S is for Smart! (still have to remember to punch a hole in the filter to let it drain) Thanks, Wiz!

If there were 100 people reading this thread, my guess you would be the only one that said "S" is for Smart.

 

[Gorilla]

If there were 100 people reading this thread, my guess you would be the only one that said "S" is for Smart.

No 2

 

[EnjoyingTheRyde]

Not sure about the 14's but I changed mine a my '12 yesterday. I used the soda bottle method, cut half the the side off but left the cover on. Slid it in and wrapped around the filter, let the filter fall into the soda bottle and wiggle it out to empty. Worked pretty well...

 

[scuba1954]

Ok here's my two cents. I have always had problems with the orange thingy and if you drain the oil out of the trike first you still have some in the filter. Step one make sure the filter will turn a little to loosen it, maybe 1/8 of a turn. Step 2 get a drill and a 1/4" drill bit and drill a hole in the end of the filter at the top. I am referring to the flat end not the side. After you have the hole drilled then put the orange thingy under the end of the filter and turn the filter so the hole is at the bottom. Make sure you have you dip stick out so the oil will flow out of the filter into the orange thingy. After the oil has drained push the orange thingy back fully under the filter and remove the filter. You will still get some oil that will drip but it is a very small amount to deal with. I usually shove a couple of paper towels under there to catch the left over and anything that drips until you get your new filter in place. I do this on my cars and bikes for years and it makes a lot cleaner job of changing the filter. Hope this works for you.

Only reason I suggested at first to turn your filter 1/8 of a turn is just to make sure your filter will come off. If someone has changed your filter and got it on too tight you would have to start the trike to get everything hot then loosen the filter. If you drill the hole first you can't start the trike and warm things up. Please don't ask how I figured this out.

 

[Phu Cat]

I have one of those orange tray things too, MB. I also built a set of ramps for when I want to get under the back end of the trike. When I change the oil I only raise the right hand wheel by driving it up on a ramp and don't have any problem getting the oil to go where I want it to. I guess a jack and jack stand would accomplish the same thing.

Phu Cat

 

[MB1953]

This is the reason I came to this forum... no question is too simple to ask, with lots of folks ready to help. Thanks to all!

 

[sandrooney]

scuba1954. You change the oil with the motor cold ? I always bring mine up to normal operating temps before dumping it.

 

[tom w]

I use the soda bottle method on my 08 ultra/ m/t. works well. you can cut it down to fit your needs. low cost too.

 

[RdKnB]

I would love to see a picture of the soda bottle

 

[DK Custom Products]

I've tried the orange thing, tried the soda bottle, but always go back to using the tin foil, it is flexible and can be shaped to fit where you need it to catch the oil and drain it into a pan.

I also put a shop rag under the tin foil in case any leaks past.

For years I've thinking about moving my oil filter to another location so that it sit vertical instead of horizontal...maybe this winter.

Kevin

 

[MB1953]

For years I've thinking about moving my oil filter to another location so that it sit vertical instead of horizontal...maybe this winter.

Kevin

Kevin, when you come up with something, I'd be interested. You always have great stuff.

 

[geezerglide11441]

Drain all engine oil first. Using harley oil filter tray put part way on and let tilt down .... Punch hole in end of filter and let drain. NOW take the filter off. That tray was designed for a bike on a kick stand. Your Tri Glide is LEVEL. Easiest to use a rag under the filter when spinning off.

Bob orag:

:Agree: method works great punching air hole in top of filter and then rotating the half turn off to let majority of oil drain out of the filter prior to complete removal!!

Roger

 

[Jerry/MD]

Not sure about the 14's but I changed mine a my '12 yesterday. I used the soda bottle method, cut half the the side off but left the cover on. Slid it in and wrapped around the filter, let the filter fall into the soda bottle and wiggle it out to empty. Worked pretty well...

Yep, best method I have found so far. Glad I did not spend the $$$ for the H-D kit. Never occured to me that the level stance of the Tri-Glide would limit it's effectiveness.

Every once in a while the folks on here actually save you some grief and dollars.

Jerry

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, when you come up with something, I'd be interested. You always have great stuff.

Thank you. We tentatively have time scheduled in November to work on this. We'll see how it goes.

In the meantime, there are companies that already make kits. Just a bit on the expensive side.

http://www.jerrysrigssystems.com/

Kevin

 

[ravenwolf]

Kevin, when you come up with something, I'd be interested. You always have great stuff.

Ditto....:Agree: