I've been doing maintenance on my own bikes since I was a teenager. From metrics to my last Road King. Bought a Fatboy Lo in January and it is my first Softail. I didn't do the 1000 mile service as the dealer did it free as part of the deal. Anyway -

2500 miles and I am changing the motor oil. Took it for a spin to warm it up and pulled the plug to drain. Changed the filter and added 3 1/2 quarts of oil. Why? Because I just assumed that is what it took since that is what my Road King took. Yes I own the manual.

Took it for another quick spin around the block. Got back to the house and yes, you guessed it...oil everywhere. Gee whiz, what a mess. I checked the manual and it says 3 1/2 quarts but that clearly is too much. I had to drain at least a quart to get it to the right level.

I checked the air filter to make sure there was not oil in it and it is clean. Other than forcing me to wash the bike (which I loathe) I assume I haven't harmed anything other than a little ego hit?

Is there anything I need to check or do so I don't hurt something?

 

i think 3 quarts of oil is fine

 

I would find out what you drained the oil out of...trans? primary? Pulled the case plug?

 

Haha. I drained the oil from the oil drain plug in the frame. I got that part right.

 

That's the first thing that came to my mind... Glad you drained the right one!

 

3.2 is the refill from dry volume.

There is of course about 4 oz. in the filter and 24 to 32 oz. in the sump that will not drain without scavenging the system.

 

That about what I figured out since. Just wasn't thinking as I added all that oil. Lesson learned. No harm.

 

How often should you change the oil? And from what? Engine only, or trans and primary too?

 

I guess there's something to be said for checking the oil level before you fire it up. I use the total oil change system from roguechopper.com to get ALL the old oil out.

 

You didn't hurt anything but your ego. I'll usually put in two quarts and fire the bike up. Then check it and add until it's about at the midway point on the stick. Keeping it a little low will keep it from blowing into the filter.