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[tmitchellofpg]

I bought my 2005 SE Fat Boy in Sept. 2006. It was at a HD dealership and was used with 1,000 miles on it. They had just marked it down to below NADA value and it had thousands of dollars in extras on it. It still had 10 months left on the warranty, seemed like a good deal so I picked it up. I asked them if the 1,000 mile service was done and they said it had been. I have zero complaints about the bike, everything has been perfect.
I just did the 5,000 mile service, myself and have a couple of questions.
1)When I drained the oil there was something similar to a glob of paste or grease plug that came out before the oil  started. It was of course, the same diameter as the drain hole and about 1 1/2" long and fairly light in color. It stayed together long enough to drop into my catch pan, that already had some oil in it from the filter change.
2) The manual stated not to put more than 3 1/2 quarts of oil in. I barely got 2 1/2 quarts in.
3) I have read that the primary drain plug takes a #40 Torx, mine took a #30 Torx. 

My thinking is that they never did the 1,000 mile service and possibly replaced a cam or something, that they greased up.
Does anyone have any opinions on where the grease came from. Once again I am very happy with the bike and the way it performs, just curious about these items.
Thanks,
Tom

[hd-dude]

Tom;
Could the "grease" have possible been thread sealant? I have seen copious quantities used by some shops.

For the primary it is possible that the plug is a bit buggered and the 40 would not go. Some people used a 3/16" Allen in them and that messes them up pretty good.

If the oil was not up to operating temp it is difficult to get it all out.

[tmitchellofpg]

Thanks for the reply.
You are no doubt correct, on the reasoning why I didn't get that much engine oil out and I also hope on the thread sealant. The primary drain was definitely a #30 Torx, even though I had read and was expecting a #40.   

Thread sealant was my first thought, but there was so much of it, I started thinking it must be something else. My worst thoughts were that there had been some engine repairs or that the oil drain plug wouldn't seal properly.

I put some sealant on the Primary plug but none on the oil or transmission drain plugs (just new O rings). I wanted to see if they sealed properly with just the O rings, so far no leakage.

When I changed the fluids, it was done on a cold engine. I make sure my cars are up to operating temperature before I change oil in them.  I didn't give it much thought, but probably in the back of my mind, I didn't want to burn myself, while working on the bike, when it was hot. Next time I will make sure I do the changes on a hot engine.

I realize that these items don't amount to much. They just caused me to scratch my head and wonder what the heck was going on.
Thanks again,
Tom

[mr_magoo]

Always change o-ring's and never use Teflon thread sealer,  and I never had a leak yet.  If it was grease/prelube from cams it should have broken down and mixed with the oil over time, so I'd lean toward it being sealant on the plug.

[Steve_G]

I'd sure be suspicious if I could only get 2 1/2 qts of oil in my motor.  I believe I'd flush the engine.  You can use kerosene or get something from most auto stores.  Be sure to run your motor until it's warmed up though.  Years ago Harley recommended doing this as part of routine service.  You shouldn't have to flush your engine, but if it only holds 2 1/2 qts, something is not right.  -Good luck!