Newbie: DIY Sportster Oil Change

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11-24-2006, 03:01 AM

IronHead88

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Newbie: DIY Sportster Oil Change

Hi everyone, just bought a 94 Sportster 883 XLH and will mostly DIY maintenance. Still waiting for maintenance manual ordered via online shopping. However, while waiting for it to arrive, just a few questions:

1) Oil Filter. Is this standard for all HD models?
2) Sportster has engine oil only? reading about primary, transmission, etc. oils for HD.
3) Can you please let me know the procedure to change oil for Sportster? I notice the oil dipstick has 2 marks for oil level, what is proper level and should I plug the dipstick all the way to check the level?

Thanks in advance for any help you could extend. Just came from a metric bike and loving every minute I have with my Sportster.

11-25-2006, 01:37 AM

KBFXDLI

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RE: Newbie: DIY Sportster Oil Change

Quote:

ORIGINAL: IronHead88

Hi everyone, just bought a 94 Sportster 883 XLH and will mostly DIY maintenance. Still waiting for maintenance manual ordered via online shopping. However, while waiting for it to arrive, just a few questions:

1) Oil Filter. Is this standard for all HD models?
2) Sportster has engine oil only? reading about primary, transmission, etc. oils for HD.
3) Can you please let me know the procedure to change oil for Sportster? I notice the oil dipstick has 2 marks for oil level, what is proper level and should I plug the dipstick all the way to check the level?

Thanks in advance for any help you could extend. Just came from a metric bike and loving every minute I have with my Sportster.

#1 Nothing is standard for all models
#2 Sportster has 2 cavaties with oil. engine is one and then trans/primary is the other. Use 20w50 in the engine and 75w90 gear lube in the trans/primary. Use motorcycle rated oil. HD360 engine and maybe Bel-Ray in the trans/primary, I doubt that I would use synthetics in a 1994 bike that has probably had dino oil all it's life.
#3 Wait until you get your manual. Keep the oil level between the 2 marks and check when hot with the bike on the stand. Give the bike 3-4 minutes after you shut it off to let the oil drain back into the tank before you check it.

Good luck.