How to Change Oil on a Sportster 1200

A Harley-Davidson motorcycle is an American icon, and the Sportster 1200 is one of its many models. Like all other vehicles, the Sportster 1200 uses oil to lubricate critical engine components. If the engine is not properly lubricated, then it can overheat and the engine can seize. If that happens, you must overhaul the entire motor. To keep your Sportster 1200 running smooth, change the oil every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver Oil catch pan 3 quarts of fresh oil New oil filter Rag

1. • 1

     Start your Sportster 1200 engine and allow it to warm up.

   • 2

     Turn off the engine after it has reached normal operating temperature.

   • 3

     Loosen the retaining screw on the hose clamp holding the oil drain hose to the frame of the bike. This is the only hose on the Sportster with a hose clamp.

   • 4

     Slide the hose clamp out of the way and pull the drain hose off the frame and allow the oil to drain into the oil catch pan.

   • 5

     Remove the oil filter by turning it counterclockwise.

   • 6

     Reconnect the oil drain hose and tighten the hose clamp over it.

   • 7

     Install a new oil filter. Tighten the oil filter hand-tight only. Do not apply excessive torque on the oil filter. It needs to be on just tight enough so that oil does not leak out from around the edges of the filter.

   • 8

     Open the engine oil filler cap on the top of the engine and pour in three quarts of oil.

   • 9

     Clean up any oil that has spilled on the engine during the draining process with a clean rag.