Complete 3-Hole Harley M8 Oil Change

After a nice long roadtrip touring through Arizona, it's time we freshen up the bikes and do a full 3-hole complete oil change! We've done a few videos on how to change the oil on your Harley-Davidson, but this time around we figured we'd show you the quick and easy way on Josh's 2021 Road King Special on the jiffy stand. This is maybe the 4th time Josh has changed his oil on this bike, so you could say this is an oil change for an every day person. Every time you work on your own bike, you get to learn a little bit more about where things are, and how everything is put together. Every detail counts, and thats how to keep things runnin'!

If an oil change is delayed, your engine is likely running at higher temperatures, and will not run as efficiently. Eventually, this will cause components to wear out and potentially break. As oil cycles through high and low temperatures, it break down and becomes thinner, making it less effective.

Over time as the oil breaks down, metal particles, dirt, and soot cause the fluids to become abrasive which eventually results in sludge. This thick sludge makes it difficult for fluids to lubricate essential parts and protect them from damage. 

BASIC STEP-BY-STEP OIL CHANGE: 

-Warm the bike up to operating temperature to ensure all oil drains 

-Park the bike in a well ventilated area and place the oil drain pan underneath the drain plugs, which are located underneath the bike on the left side 

-Remove drain plugs using the 5/8" socket and let the oil drain for a few minutes 

-Once most of the oil is drained, release any pressure by removing the engine and transmission dipsticks 

-Clean the drain plugs and place them back in their designated holes once all oil is drained. It is normal to have a small amount of metal shavings collecting on the threads of the oil drain plugs.

-Drain the primary by removing the primary drain plug located on the underside of the primary below the derby cover. 

-Once the primary is drained, use the primary funnel to pour 1 quart of primary oil into the primary 

-Inspect the derby cover gasket, and clean or replace it as needed 

-Re-install the derby cover, tightening bolts in a star pattern to ensure a uniform fit 

-Pour 4 quarts of 20W-50 oil into the engine fill hole and 1 quart of 80W-90 transmission oil into the transmission fill hole (We tend to pour 1/4-1/2 quart into the oil filter as well as coat the oil filter gasket with a thin layer of oil to ensure a good seal upon installation). 

-Screw in both engine and transmission dipsticks, take her for a spin, and add engine oil as needed!

Don't know which oil, oil filters, or gaskets to buy? The V-Twin Oil Change Kits are here to keep things simple. With the complete oil change kits, you have everything you need for a complete 3-hole oil change, all in one  box! Simply find the kit that correlates with your model, and you're good to go!

We hope you found the video and blog informative and encourage you to reach out with any questions!