1996 FLHTC oil change

[mcampbell]

i am going to change the oil in my dyna and am planning to use 20w 50 valvoline full syn. is this a good oil to use???

[DamageInc537]

Originally Posted by aceharleywrench

That's the one.There is an o-ring (p/n 11105) under the head that needs to be replaced while you're at it.

good to know about the oring.. thanks! can i buy an oring kit from an auto zone or should i go with the HD one? the service man. said something about a screen that needs cleaned as well? how should i take care of that?

[HarleyCruiser]

Yea that is fine, everyone has there favorite brand. Personally I think way too much debate is going on about oil, feel very few motors are damaged because of “poor oil.”
Stick with a brand name and you will be fine.
I run the NAPA “no brand” syn in my bike once in a while to top off my Mobil one.
Change my oil at 5000m, and moving that up to changing it at 7500 m
15000 on the primary and 20k on the trans.
And not a sticker on that.

Originally Posted by mcampbell

i am going to change the oil in my dyna and am planning to use 20w 50 valvoline full syn. is this a good oil to use???

[HarleyCruiser]

I buy my o-rings both places, if I am at HD pick up a couple if they are cheap.
I refuse to pay three bucks for one.
Otherwise I get them at the hardware. Just make sure they are the right size.
I don’t think the size is given in the book so take a new one before it has been squashed to measure. Or get someone who knows 0-rings to measure it.
And I don’t change my o-rings all the time, just when they are chipped or I know that they have not been changed in a while.
After all they are pretty cheap.
Don’t know what he is talking about a screen, I ride a Softail, would he be talking about the gas screen in the tank.
The only other screen I can think about is in the oil pump.
Maybe someone else can jump in.

Originally Posted by DamageInc537

good to know about the oring.. thanks! can i buy an oring kit from an auto zone or should i go with the HD one? the service man. said something about a screen that needs cleaned as well? how should i take care of that?

[evoKENevo]

Originally Posted by DamageInc537

good to know about the oring.. thanks! can i buy an oring kit from an auto zone or should i go with the HD one? the service man. said something about a screen that needs cleaned as well? how should i take care of that?

Hi,Damage
When I need an o-rings I usually just go up to a local ACE hardware store (one thats been around for decades here) where they have great variety of them in metric as well as standard sizes...and find a match for the ones being replaced...simple & cheap !!

The screen your service man suggested you clean is located just under the large slotted bolt/screw on top of and EVO oil pump (as HC mentioned) just behind the gear-case/nose-cone. Just remove the bolt/screw (can be kind of stubborn) lift out the small screen...clean out any crap that might be in it... put things back the way they were...and report back on what if any thing found in it, Okay ?

[mcampbell]

what is proper procedure for oil change. should i start engine and let it warm up or is it ok to drain oil cold and replace filter.

[HarleyCruiser]

Yea you should run the motor to get it warm, hot oil drains better, (Thinner) and especially on the softail with the oil tank higher than the motor it makes sure all the oil is back in the tank.
(Sometime the check valve in the line sticks open and oil will seep down into the stump while the bike is sitting.)
Also gets any crud that has settled down up and mixed/flowing with the oil.
So just let the motor at least warm up.
Not a bad idea to ride it around the block a few times.

Originally Posted by mcampbell

what is proper procedure for oil change. should i start engine and let it warm up or is it ok to drain oil cold and replace filter.

[mcampbell]

thanks harley cruiser i am new to this motorcycle stuff. it is a little different than dealing with cars and trucks.

[HarleyCruiser]

Different but a whole lot more fun working on.
Ride it, get a manual, make sure the service parts are taken care of, tires, brakes, adjustments, and ride it.
Nothing worse on a Harley than letting it sit.

Originally Posted by mcampbell

thanks harley cruiser i am new to this motorcycle stuff. it is a little different than dealing with cars and trucks.

[aceharleywrench]

Originally Posted by evoKENevo

Hi,Damage
When I need an o-rings I usually just go up to a local ACE hardware store (one thats been around for decades here) where they have great variety of them in metric as well as standard sizes...and find a match for the ones being replaced...simple & cheap !!

The screen your service man suggested you clean is located just under the large slotted bolt/screw on top of and EVO oil pump (as HC mentioned) just behind the gear-case/nose-cone. Just remove the bolt/screw (can be kind of stubborn) lift out the small screen...clean out any crap that might be in it... put things back the way they were...and report back on what if any thing found in it, Okay ?

Actually,the screen is not on the oil pump,but in the engine case right above the oil pump.This is the tappet screen,all the oil going to the top end travels through this screen first,so check it carefully for debris as this can be an early indicator of major problems.