Intervals to Change Oil
Making sure your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle has clean oil contributes to performance and a pleasant riding experience. All riders must understand that without a healthy oil reading, engine components have a difficult time functioning and adapting to every move. In severe cases, a lack of oil can cause your favorite bike to seize up, leading to costly repairs.
If you hope to keep your Harley® for years to come, remember that draining and changing out the oil will promote efficiency and make that future much more likely. Although oil lasts for hundreds of miles, recognize that liquids slowly degrade due to temperature changes, weather conditions and contamination. A relatively simple job that takes no more than an hour could be a matter of life or death for your classic or modern bike.
When to Service Harley® Motorcycles
You know your motorcycle and riding habits better than anyone else. There is no magic number showing when to service your bike, but most Harley-Davidson® enthusiasts complete a synthetic oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles based on model. There's also no harm in changing your oil more frequently if you use your bike for daily commutes, long trips and competitions.
Harley® oil change intervals should be influenced by mileage as well as your motorcycle's behavior. You can tell that oil is doing its job when the engine is running at optimum temperatures with zero warnings on the dash. If you notice any of the following warning signs, it's probably time for an oil change:
- Oil on the dipstick appears thick in consistency
- You can hear excessive noise coming from the engine compartment
- Oil readings on the dipstick are below markers
- The bike struggles to change gears
A Guide for Motorcycle Service Intervals
A brand new Harley® requires a look-over after its first 1,000 miles on the road. This initial maintenance checkpoint helps to identify areas of wear and tear surrounding tires, shock absorbers, oil and brake lines and more. You or your mechanic should change the engine oil and filter, and from this point forward, you can plan to perform the job on the usual basis of every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Changing the oil on your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle may seem intimidating at first, but most bike layouts are relatively similar. Follow the guide below for a successful oil change:
- Start the bike for a few minutes and let it cool
- Find the oil filter and vent the system by removing the filler cap
- Place a drain pan below the drain tube to catch the oil (takes several minutes)
- Remove the oil filter, catching any overflow with the drain pan
- Locate the new filter adding a small amount of oil to the center (do not fill completely)
- Attach the new filter to the mounting location
- Add the required amount of oil and fasten the filler cap
Harley® Oil Change Kits at Fat Head Cycles
Looking to find everything you need for an oil change? Fat Head Cycles will enable you to order complete oil change kits for Twin Cam and Milwaukee-Eight engine setups. Save time and money while managing upkeep on your favorite ride.
Suitable for production years 1999 to 2020, our oil change kits include the correct amount of synthetic Mobil 1 oil for a job well-done. We include chrome and black direct-fit filters and replacement o-rings for clean results. For more information about our products, contact Fat Head Cycles online today.
Cliff John
Author