Originally Posted by SC-Longhair

Isn't the sears red a lift and you already own it....so why would have to go buy one, unless you're referring to a lift table. I suppose I use those terms "lift" and "jack" interchangeably.

Originally Posted by Grendel4

No way I'd bother with the jack for a fluid change. I just changed my oil with the bike on the kickstand. Easy enough. Most parts stores will have 5 and 6 quart oil drain pans that will easily fit under your bike.

Just put plenty of newspaper under the pan and the bike in case you're as sloppy and careless as me. It's one of the few things newspapers are good for anymore.

Follow the Service Manual instructions and go for it. Also make sure you replace the O-Ring on the drain plug. It's worth the 99 cents. While I had the drain pan under mine with the drain plug out, I stood the bike upright and rocked it a tiny bit. But I've been called ****-retentive before. If you're changing the primary and/or the tranny fluid as well, I think it's imperative to get the bike straight so all the fluid will drain out of those unseen places.

My next door neighbor is very good mechanically. Very good. But he's had his bike for 12 years and takes it to the dealer for fluid changes every time. Except for once. He over-filled it and he shied away from doing it again. Silly. He also made a hell of a mess. Got oil all over everything.

The trick is to use something under the oil filter so that oil doesn't go everywhere. You can buy the funnel from Harley for $20 US or you can fabricate one out of an old 2-liter plastic coke bottle or you can simply use a piece of thin cardboard folded up. One guy here used a throw-away cutting board protector type dealio. I know what it is, I just can't describe it. It's a thin, foldable and disposable cutting board to protect your cabinets when you decide to butcher a deer in your kitchen.

Whatever. Don't feel bad for not doing routine maintenance on your bike yourself. It's a big club. If you want to save the bread and KNOW it's done right -- Go for it. If money is no object to you, let the dealer handle it.

Originally Posted by Wonkaboy

I did it all today without the jack , changed my oil , primary , trans , air filter , spark plugs everything is fine no leaks ! I know i just saved a ton of money !

Originally Posted by GeorgeJ

A lasagna pan from the supermarket works for me. You get multi-use out of it as well.
George

Originally Posted by bberck

I stole a tupperware pan from my wife back on the first oil change and it works great. Its just big enough to hold all the fluids from all 3 holes so only have to dump it once.

Dump it in a recylce container and I dump my oil off at the local Indy and he uses it to heat his building in the winter.