2012 xl1200c book says it holds2.8 quarts with filter change but says you only put 2 quarts back in the oil tank. Do you put the rest in after you run the bike or does it just all not come out when drained?

 

Run it with 2 for few minutes, the filter will take some to fill. Then add to be about 1/2 way up the stick when hot. Too full will cause more blow by into the intake.

 

I believe the .8 qt goes into the oil the filter before you install it.

 

This.

I did my 1,000 oil change on Saturday and did 2.0 quarts, per the manual. I then ran an errand to see where it was on the stick and added a bit more.

Speaking of which, I am so glad I did my first fluid changes myself. I'm not at all mechanically inclined and it could not have been easier. That little worm clamp was simple to drain the oil and the filter came right off with the HD filter cap wrench that goes on a socket wrench. Put the plug back in, tightened the worm clamp, put a little oil in the filter and a little on the gasket, hand tightened, then added the two quarts. Done. If I can do it, anyone can!

 

My '07 manual says 3.6 quarts. I three quarts in first. I put some in the filter before I intall it. After I run it for a minute I filled it until it says it's filled on the dipstick.

 

I put 3 quarts in total. I put a little in the filter and the rest in the oil tank.

 

Here's a link to a YouTube video some cat did on his 07 nightster. Pretty good tutorial if you learn better with visuals. Helped me out a lot the 1st time I changed my oil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMfRg...e_gdata_player

 

This has been posted here many times before.
Yours and many other manuals are wrong.

HD manuals listed 3.6 quarts up until around 08. This quantity applies only to factory new, DRY motors, it is NOT an oil change quantity.
For an oil change, 3 quarts is max, and 2.75 quarts is recommended to reduce oil puke out the breathers.
This amount includes the 4-5 oz's that get poured into the filter before it's installed.

 

This is all true, What I do is put about 2 qts in, start the bike up and let it run for a few and get warm, then check the level. I run mine to where the level warm is about half or a bit higher on the dip stick with bike on the side stand.