How do you change an oil filter in a heritage classic?

Answer 1

I have a 97 heritage and it should be exactly the same procedure to change the tranny fluid. there is a drain plug on the carberater side of the tranny, there are several alan head screws the plug is the one that is flush with the tranny casing, my softail holds about 28 ounces of fluid, there is a large alan head plug on top of the tranny almost directly above the drain plug, this plug is where you add your tranny fluid and the plug should also have the dipstick attatched to the plug, check your owners manual for the correct amount of fluid , if you dont have one Google it or add 24 ounces to start and keep adding until you have the right level on the dipstick, this should be done with the scooter upright and level and the scooter should be at operating temperature to get an accurate reading. I hope this helps you, it is an extremely easy procedure to do. by the way the fluid only needs to be changed every 50,000 miles but if your as anal as i am i do it every 10,000 miles it cant hurt and is very inexpensive to do. Do yourself a favor and replace the rubber o-ring on the dipstick to avoid any fluid leaks.

Answer 2

On my '01 FLSTC (Heritage Softail) the easiest way I've found is to warm the motor/oil up to operating temp then shut the bike off. I put mine up on a lift then remove the drain plug from the right side frame (follow the hose from the oil bag- it should dead end into a 5/8" drain plug located in the frame rail. You'll need to look under the bike to see it)

Remove the drain plug then remove the oil bag filler plug and the flow should quickly increase. Look inside the oil bag/tank with a flashlight to make sure there's no gunk left after it's empty.

I then take the bike off the lift and let it rest on the jiffy stand (kickstand) and slide a piece of heavy plastic (I use an old milk jug that I've cut) slide it under the filter all the way as far as it will go. I then place another drain pan under the edge of the plastic making sure the plastic clears the edge of the bike and motor then loosen the filter and remove it. (The filter is the canister located at the lower front of the motor. It simply theads on- righty tighty lefty loosy). Remove the plastic and clean up any spilled oil.

Pour about 4oz of clean oil into the new filter's center hole, put a nice coating of clean oil on the rubber gasket and spin the new filter on. Remember that once the filter touches the mating plate you only need to tighten it another 1/2 to 3/4 turn. No need to 'gorilla' it. Remember too, according to HD, the twin cam motors (ours) require a premium/smaller micron filter. The HD part numbers are in your owners manual. I personally like the K&N-171C (chrome)or 171B (black)

Clean the area up thoroughly wiping up/off any oil of that got onto the bike and/or filter. Re-install the drain plug making sure to check the 'O' ring on the bottom of the plug. Thread it back in and torque it the specs in the manual. Finish by adding three (3) quarts of your favorite motor oil (I use pure synthetic 20W-50) into the oil bag/tank put in the tank plug and start her up. DON'T rev the motor and immediately check for leaks at the filter mating surface and the drain plug. If there are no leaks I let her warm up then put her back on the lift (remember the only CORRECT way to check the oil level is to have the bike at normal operating temp and in the verticle position, NOT on the jiffy stand)

Shut her off, check the dip stick on the filler plug a couple of time. Top up if necessary and you're set.

Oh yeah, of course, please be responsible and make sure you recycle your old oil and filter.

Happy riding!