How to Change the Oil in a 2001 Harley Road King
by Chris GillilandUpdated November 07, 2017
Items you will need
Oil pan
Torx sockets
Socket wrench
Drain plug o-rings
Oil filter wrench
Shop towels
3 qt. 20W50 engine oil
1 qt. primary fluid
1 qt. transmission fluid
Regular fluid changes are a fundamental part of keeping your Harley-Davidson Road King roadworthy. Unlike the motors used by other manufacturers, Harley-Davidson employs three separate fluids to lubricate the Road King's motor, primary drive and transmission systems. This can easily confuse a new Harley rider, who may be used to changing a single oil type.
Motor Oil
Place your oil pan beneath the motor oil drain plug. The drain plug is located on the right side of the motor and to the rear of the frame. Remove the drain plug with a Torx socket and replace the plug's o-ring. Allow the oil to drain completely before reinstalling the drain plug.
Remove the oil filter with an oil filter wrench and discard it. Fill the new oil filter with fresh oil and spread a thin coat of oil around the filter's inner mating surface. Screw the filter into place on the motor by hand and wipe away any spilled oil with a shop towel.
Open the oil tank's filler cap and pour up to 3 qt. of fresh motor oil into the tank. Replace the filler cap and wipe away any spilled oil.
Primary Fluid
Place your drain pan under the primary cover drain plug. The drain plug is located directly under the round derby cover on the outer primary cover. Remove the drain plug with a Torx socket and replace the drain plug's o-ring. Allow the primary fluid to drain and replace the drain plug.
Remove the derby cover bolts and pull the cover off the outer primary cover. Pour up to 1 qt. of primary fluid in through the derby cover port, filling the primary until the fluid is touching the lower edge of the clutch diaphragm spring housed within the primary.
Reinstall the derby cover and wipe away any spilled fluid.
Transmission Fluid
Place your drain pan directly under transmission and remove the drain plug. Replace the drain plug o-ring. Allow the fluid to drain completely and reinstall the drain plug.
Remove the transmission's filler cap and add up to 1 qt. of transmission fluid.
Replace the filler cap and wipe away any spilled fluid.
Tips
Warm up the motor for a few minutes to speed up the drain process. Warm oil flows faster than cold oil.
Dispose used oil responsibly. Have it recycled by an auto parts store.
References
- "The Professional Motorcycle Repair Program"; The Professional Career Development Institute; 2000
Writer Bio
An avid motorcyclist, Chris Gilliland has immersed himself into the two-wheeled world while balancing work life and raising three daughters. When he is not managing the parts department of a local, multi-line motorcycle dealership, Gilliland can often be found riding, writing or working on his motorcycle blog, Wingman's Garage.
