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.]

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!

[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.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I agree that HD could bring the bike into the 21st century ... ya know ... do some stuff to make it more user friendly to work on.

Having said that, one of the most fun bikes I ever owned was a K1200LT BMW ... fast, economical, comfortable and like a Gold Wing, pretty much bullet proof between services. So why don't I still own it? Since I do 90% of my own service, I got tired of doing the 4-6 hour tupperware parties just to get to whatever I wanted to work on. It was a 3-4 hour ordeal just to change the fluids.

I could do a 3 hole fluid change on my 15 Tri in about 45 minutes. And that's going to get a drink for about 15 minutes while all the fluids drained. So although not optimum, the HD's at least afford you the opportunity to "see" what it is you hope to be working on before you ever pick up a wrench.

Currently I'm working on troubleshooting the cruise control system on a 1995 Gold Wing GL1500 ... I've changed the approach, because I'm saving removing all the plastic until this upcoming winter ... figured while I have it off, I'll have all the parts painted White Pearl. I am checking all the things that I can check without taking off all the plastic.

[Fearless]

I agree that HD could bring the bike into the 21st century ... ya know ... do some stuff to make it more user friendly to work on.


Having said that, one of the most fun bikes I ever owned was a K1200LT BMW ... fast, economical, comfortable and like a Gold Wing, pretty much bullet proof between services. So why don't I still own it? Since I do 90% of my own service, I got tired of doing the 4-6 hour tupperware parties just to get to whatever I wanted to work on. It was a 3-4 hour ordeal just to change the fluids.

I could do a 3 hole fluid change on my 15 Tri in about 45 minutes. And that's going to get a drink for about 15 minutes while all the fluids drained. So although not optimum, the HD's at least afford you the opportunity to "see" what it is you hope to be working on before you ever pick up a wrench.

Currently I'm working on troubleshooting the cruise control system on a 1995 Gold Wing GL1500 ... I've changed the approach, because I'm saving removing all the plastic until this upcoming winter ... figured while I have it off, I'll have all the parts painted White Pearl. I am checking all the things that I can check without taking off all the plastic.

I will keep you in my prayers Fuzz wrench safely fearless

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I will keep you in my prayers Fuzz wrench safely fearless

Thanks Fearless ... I'm always up for a little prayer help ... although ... lately I'm beginning to feel a little like Job ... not that I'm anywhere close to being righteous, LOL, but in the area that maybe My Father is "allowing" me to be "attacked" to mold me into something he wants me to be, or he's setting me up for something really huge. Either way, I'm in His hands and between you and me ... I can't think of a better place to be ...

[Fearless]

Thanks Fearless ... I'm always up for a little prayer help ... although ... lately I'm beginning to feel a little like Job ... not that I'm anywhere close to being righteous, LOL, but in the area that maybe My Father is "allowing" me to be "attacked" to mold me into something he wants me to be, or he's setting me up for something really huge. Either way, I'm in His hands and between you and me ... I can't think of a better place to be ...

On his time not ours ya kno! fearless

[milemaker]

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]

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]

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

I agree that HD could bring the bike into the 21st century ... ya know ... do some stuff to make it more user friendly to work on.


Having said that, one of the most fun bikes I ever owned was a K1200LT BMW ... fast, economical, comfortable and like a Gold Wing, pretty much bullet proof between services. So why don't I still own it? Since I do 90% of my own service, I got tired of doing the 4-6 hour tupperware parties just to get to whatever I wanted to work on. It was a 3-4 hour ordeal just to change the fluids.

I could do a 3 hole fluid change on my 15 Tri in about 45 minutes. And that's going to get a drink for about 15 minutes while all the fluids drained. So although not optimum, the HD's at least afford you the opportunity to "see" what it is you hope to be working on before you ever pick up a wrench.

Currently I'm working on troubleshooting the cruise control system on a 1995 Gold Wing GL1500 ... I've changed the approach, because I'm saving removing all the plastic until this upcoming winter ... figured while I have it off, I'll have all the parts painted White Pearl. I am checking all the things that I can check without taking off all the plastic.

[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