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[grandpadoc]

It is best to drain fluids when they are at normal operating temps, immediately after riding.  There are a couple reasons for this, the first and most important being that the oil holds contaminants in suspension during operation but will allow junk to settle out as it sits.  You want to drain out the maximum amount of the contaminants.  Another reason is that warm or hot fluids will drain quicker and more completely.

Be careful to protect your hands/skin, as hot oil can cause scald injuries.  I personally ride the bike for about ten miles to get everything up to operating temperature, then pull into the garage and let the bike idle on the jiffy stand for a couple minutes (to let the oil pump move as much oil as possible to the tank), shut the bike down and immediately remove the drain plugs and let the fluids drain.  I wait awhile to remove the oil filter, since removing it when hot usually results in a gusher that makes quite a mess no matter what device or method I use to catch the oil. 


Jerry

...and the gusher will find its way through the case into the stator and fry it. Harley didn't seal the case correctly until this year with four O rings, two for moisture and two for oil.  Doc

[Air-Cooled]

If you drained the oil, then ran the bike at idle for a minute, would that clear out everything enough so that removing the oil filter didn't result in a spill?

[Spiderman]

Various devices sold to prevent oil from the filter from dripping all over the place. Some work, some don't. The cheapest and best method I've found is a simple piece of cardboard, cut and bent so it slides under the filter all the way to the brkt on one end and extends out over the frame on the other. As noted, let all the oil drain from the motor via the drain plug first (be sure you pull the filler spout to vent) and once you're down to a very light drip from the drain plug, loosen the filter, slide the cardboard up underneath, unscrew and remove. Now I do something that on an older bike people would disagree with - - I pull the plug wires and roll the engine over a couple times; not a steady cranking of the starter, just a touch and stop, touch and stop. No way in hell you want the engine to fire and bring heat to the cylinder walls without the engine being full of oil. This touch and stop action usually results in a bit more dirty oil coming out of the filter brkt without any possible scoring of the cylinder walls or damage to the gearotor oil pump. When refilling, make sure you fill the filter before installing since it helps to bring the pressure up quicker. Clean-up is quick and easy with the cardboard going in the trash.

B B

[Fired00d]

If you drained the oil, then ran the bike at idle for a minute, would that clear out everything enough so that removing the oil filter didn't result in a spill?

Are you suggesting running the bike w/o any oil in it??

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Chains]

Are you suggesting running the bike w/o any oil in it??

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Fired00d]

My question was to this post...

If you drained the oil, then ran the bike at idle for a minute, would that clear out everything enough so that removing the oil filter didn't result in a spill?

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[yellowhog]

Oh, Oh!  That doesn't sound like a good idea!!!!

[JR]

If you drained the oil, then ran the bike at idle for a minute, would that clear out everything enough so that removing the oil filter didn't result in a spill?

 

[Air-Cooled]

Yes, that's what I meant. I think there is enough surface lube to run the bike for sixty seconds after a drain. At least that's what I've been told, and it makes sense to me. Would like to have some solid evidence otherwise if that seems like a problem. I've been doing it for 30 years, and so far no problems that I can detect.

[moscooter]

 
I end up with some spillage when removing the filter too,  but I wouldn't term it as a "gusher"..........seems that might result if one did not (first) remove the filler cap during the drain process to enable the "venting" as mentioned earlier.

As to the running the bike at idle (after) draining the oil out..........It would seem you're introducing the potential to have the oil pump suck (air) and lengthen the time necessary for it to expel any trapped air and "prime" the pump again to enable pressurizing the system after the refill.......

Some engine oil filters have "check valves" in them to reduce the "lag" time necessary to refill the filter and pressurize the system after a shut down and/or drain/refill.   Not sure if HD filters use check  valves or not.

[Air-Cooled]

Running for a minute after changing oil, I always get about a pint more of dirty oil out of the bike. I think that is a good thing.

[JR]

Yes, that's what I meant. I think there is enough surface lube to run the bike for sixty seconds after a drain. At least that's what I've been told, and it makes sense to me. Would like to have some solid evidence otherwise if that seems like a problem. I've been doing it for 30 years, and so far no problems that I can detect.

Well brother if you been doing this for 30 years...then do it!  But why? I personally would NEVER think to run ANY engine with no oil for 5 seconds let alone a minute. Why take such a risk? If you have no oil in the pan, what is going into the oil pump? And then what is moving oil out the filter? With my luck, if I tried it your way, my next stop would be to visit the thread "engine noise". Like I said, if you been doing this for 30 years and feel safe doing it, then do it. As for me, I will play it safe. Have a great day and may God continue to Bless you!

[Air-Cooled]

Well brother if you been doing this for 30 years...then do it!  But why? ...may God continue to Bless you!

I believe I've already provided two reasons why. One: I don't get any oil spouting from the filter when I do it this way. Two: I get more dirty oil out of the bike. Not sure how much God has to do with lubrication, but I'll take the blessings nonetheless!

[yellowhog]

If it works for you then fine, but I wouldn't do it with any of my vehicles.  To each his own...

[Spiderman]

GOD has nothing to do with machines, only the people who use them. Brother JR is the real deal. His blessings are a source of comfort to all who know him. Be thankful for them for they are sincere and heartfelt. This is a man who says what he means and means what he says and you won't find him saying one thing and doing another. None of which of course has anything to do with how to change your oil but given the choice between a fresh oil change and Brother JR prayin over my sorry soul, I'll take the prayers 


B B