Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200X Forty-Eight - Owner's Manual > Changing Oil and Filter

Draining Oil Tank

Be sure that no lubricants or fluids get on tires, wheels or brakes when changing fluid.

Traction can be adversely affected, which could result in loss of control of the motorcycle and death or serious injury.

Do not switch lubricant brands indiscriminately because some lubricants interact chemically when mixed. Use of inferior lubricants can damage the engine.

Completely drain oil tank of used oil at scheduled service intervals. Refill with fresh oil. Refer to Regular Service Intervals: 2016 Sportster Models.

NOTES:

• Change oil at specified intervals in normal service at warm or moderate temperatures.
• Change engine oil at shorter intervals in cold weather or in severe operating conditions. See Winter Lubrication.
• Change engine oil at shorter intervals if ridden extremely hard, used in competition or driven on dusty roads.
• Always change oil filter when changing engine oil.

1. Run motorcycle until engine is at normal operating temperature.

2. Remove dipstick from oil tank.

NOTE: The drain pan must hold approximately 3.0 qt 2.8 L.

3. Place a drain pan directly under the oil tank.

4. See Drain Hose. Pull clip (1) from frame tube.

5. Direct drain hose (2) in front of bracket (3) into drain pan.

6. Loosen clamp (4). Remove plug (5) from end of hose.

NOTE: Completely drain engine oil from oil tank.

7. Allow oil to drain.

8. Install plug into hose.

9. Tighten clamp to 6-10 in-lbs (0.7-1.1 Nm).

10. Route drain hose along frame tube.

11. Clip hose to frame.

Drain Hose

1. Clip
2. Drain hose
3. Bracket
4. Clamp
5. Plug

Removing Oil Filter

1. Place a drain pan under the oil filter.

Use Harley-Davidson oil filter wrench for filter removal. This tool can prevent damage to crankshaft position sensor and/or sensor cable.

NOTE: See Oil Filter. Turn filter (1) counterclockwise to remove from mount (2).

2. Remove oil filter using HARLEY-DAVIDSON OIL FILTER WRENCH H-D-42311 or HARLEY-DAVIDSON OIL FILTER WRENCH H-D-44067-A.

3. Drain engine oil. Discard oil filter.

4. Clean any oil spills off crankcase and frame.

Oil Filter

1. Filter
2. Mount

Installing Oil Filter

NOTE: To build oil pressure on engine start-up, partially fill oil filter.

1. Pour about 4 fl oz 120 mL of fresh, clean engine oil into new oil filter.

2. Allow time for oil to soak into filter element.

3. See Installing Oil Filter. Wipe oil filter mount contact surface (1) with a clean cloth. Surface must be smooth and free of debris or old gasket material.

4. Apply a thin film of oil to contact surface of the oil filter mount and filter gasket (2) of new oil filter.

NOTE: Do not use oil filter wrench to install new oil filter.

5. Install new oil filter.

1. Screw filter onto adapter (3) until gasket contacts the gasket contact surface.
2. Hand-tighten one-half to three-quarters turn to secure the oil filter.

Installing Oil Filter

1. Contact surface
2. Filter gasket
3. Adapter

Refilling Oil Tank

Do not overfill oil. Doing so can result in oil carryover to the air cleaner leading to equipment damage and/or equipment malfunction.

NOTE: Use the proper grade of oil for the lowest temperature expected before the next oil change. Refer to Recommended Engine Oils.

1. Pour 2.0 qt 1.9 L of oil into engine oil tank.

2. Install dipstick in oil tank. Seat cap.

3. See Oil Pressure Indicator. Verify oil pressure.

1. Start engine.
2. Verify that the oil pressure indicator turns off at 1000 rpm or above.
3. Turn off engine.

4. Perform engine oil level hot check.

5. Start engine and carefully check for oil leaks around drain plug and oil filter.

Oil Pressure Indicator

Winter Lubrication

Change engine oil often in colder climates. If motorcycle is frequently used for trips less than 15 mi 24 km , in ambient temperatures below 60 ºF 16 ºC , reduce oil change intervals to 1500 mi 2400 km.

NOTE: Lower ambient temperatures require more frequent oil changes.

Water vapor is a normal by-product of combustion. During cold-weather operation, some water vapor condenses to liquid form on the cool surfaces inside the engine. In freezing weather this water becomes slush or ice. If the engine is not warmed to operating temperature, accumulated slush or ice blocks the oil lines and causes engine damage. Over time, water will accumulate, mix with the engine oil and form a sludge that is harmful to the engine.

If the engine is allowed to warm to normal operating temperature, most of the water evaporates and exits through the crankcase breather.

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