I went to buy the filter funnel before I did my recent oil change and was told by the parts guy that I trust that they don't fit the Softail. He said the cases are different cuz of the counterbalance system.

 

I cut a piece off one of those flexible cutting boards and slide it under the filter then take a punch (or screwdriver) and poke 2 holes in filter. 1 on top to vent and 1 for a drain on bottom. If you don't drain the filter your going to leak some oil

 

Just did mine a week or so, ago. I second the tin foil. Not perfect, but you can mold and shape it so the oil goes (mostly) where you want.

 

I have the Harley filter change kit and I punch two holes in the filter, walk away for 5 minutes. After the filter is drained, I use the filter wrench to remove it so it doesn't disturb the catch funnel and it's done, clean, no mess.

 

I cut a section of a plastic coffee can out,set it under the filter and aim it towards the drain pan loosen the filter slowly( after draining the motor) no mess at all to clean up

 

(pics compliments of - Dude World) - http://www.dudeworld.com.au/HOWTO.ENGINE.HTML

 

Bingo we have a winner.

 

Unfortuantley for me, most of these tricks don't work. The one that did help was using aluminum foil and forming a catch basin/funnel to direct the oil out

It's a pain in the neck to have to remove the spoiler everytime I want to change the oil.

 

Ya always wanted to try that dude world guy's idea. Seems like $20 or more for a piece of freakin' plastic is outrageous. Hell, prob costs them 4 cents to make the damn thing.

 

I did the same as this. Only I left the cap on to catch the oil.
I also slid a heavyduty paper towel under the bottle to absorb any drips.
Still had a little oil to clean up.