Harley Sportster 1200 Oil Change

June 15th, 2010
by clint

harley sportster 1200 oil change
I have a 2004 harley sportster custom 1200. I see and have read how to change the oil.for both motor & gear bo

I heard and dont want to sound like a dork … but there are two oil resourvors.. But both take the same oil… Can anyone tell me how to change oil in both… for the gear box and the motor.?

One is the oil tank and the other is the primary drive. Yes you can put the same oil in both, assuming you are using the harley synthetic. Automotive ATF also works good in the primary, but harley may void your warranty if you try it. I’ve used it for years and never had a problem.

Harley makes a specialized fluid for the primary, that is cheaper than the synthetic motor oil. Why pay more than you have to? If your primary has no leaks you dont have to worry about adding fluid anyways.

Anyways, to change your motoroil, look on the bottom towards the rear, on the primary side of the frame. The oil drain line is connected to the frame there. Put a mat and an oil pan under it and pull it off the frame and let the oil drain out. You will also have to change your oil filter, located on the front of the engine case. Beware, there is no way of changing it without making a mess. Use old rags and a drain pan or mat. The filter unscrews and comes right off. Before screwing on the new filter, rub a thin coating of oil on the rubber seal, and half fill the filter with oil. Yes some will spill out as you screw it back on, so keep your old rags handy.

The primary has a drain plug at the bottom. Put ur pan under the hole and remove the plug. Next remove the derby cover (the big round cover on the side of the primary). After the fluid is drained out, clean the metal shavings off the magnetic drain plug, and reinstall. If necessary put a thin layer of silicon around the drain plug to prevent leaking. Pour in the new primary fluid and put derby cover back on. Note: While you’re in there you should check the adjustment of your primary chain. I recommend installing an M6 chain tensioner to avoid having to check the chain in the future, just put it in there and forget it. Your operators guide is helpful in minor stuff like this. I also suggest you get a repair manual. Minor maintenance isn’t so difficult, and the shops charge an arm an a leg for this stuff, (and still get it wrong sometimes).

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One Response to “Harley Sportster 1200 Oil Change”

  1. Samara Dollak Says:

    Hello there. Great job. I did not expect to see this on a Wednesday. It is a good story. Many thanks!

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