Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 Oil Change

Jon shows step-by-step how to change the oil and oil filter on a 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 1200.
Servicing your own bike can not only save you money, but it can boost your ego as well. In this instance we are talking about changing the oil and oil filter on a 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 model. This procedure can be done by a novice with the minimal amount of tools. The job only requires four tools: a socket wrench, an extension for said socket wrench, an oil filter wrench, and a flat-head screwdriver. (Of course, you need an oil catch. If that isn’t common knowledge to you, then maybe a dealer is the right call for you, no judgment!)
Always reference your owner's manual when performing services; if you don't have yours, download one directly from Harley-Davidson here.
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[@cheffjeff7054]

Great video, I love how easy it is to do maintenance on these bikes, I have 2020 iron 1200 with just over 1,000 miles

[@MDROWDYRIDES]

I always make a tray type funnel with aluminum foil to place under the oil filter before removing. Saves a lot of clean up.

[@jonnymac8925]

This kit here has everything needed to make no mess oil changes! www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07YKNJRBC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@TipsyCrowShow]

What a genius idea. Thanks, I say as I’m cleaning up oil 😂

[@geraldscott4302]

Yeah. I can't believe he just intentionally poured oil all over the bike. I have learned another trick to make it less messy. I also use foil, but like the day before I change the oil, I put a homemade funnel under the outer end of the filter, with the bike on the stand, take a hammer and sharp punch, and poke a hole in the bottom of the top of the filter. Let it drain overnight. About 90% of the oil will have drained out by the next morning. The foil will catch what little is left. LEAVE THE FOIL IN PLACE after removing the filter. Pour some oil into the new filter, let it soak for an hour or so, then turn the new filter to the horizontal position over a drain pan, so that if you put too much oil in the filter, it will pour out into the drain pan rather than all over the bike. The goal should be to not get a drop of oil on the bike. It may happen from time to time, but you should still do your best to avoid it. The filter location is just a bad design by H-D. I get that it needs to be there, but it seems they could have done something to make changing it less messy. Nobody seems to know what a drain pan is anymore. What this guy is using is NOT a drain pan. You can get a proper drain pan at Walmart for like $2. I'm still using an old metal drain pan from the '50s that belonged to my dad. It worked back then, it still works now. This is a YABOB (Yet Another Blacked Out Bike) so it is difficult to find something black if you don't know what it looks like. Maybe they should have made the hose, or at least the plug bright yellow. My '06 model does not have a separate plug, the hose goes over a metal plug welded onto the frame. Works the same. My bike is NOT all black, and it is easy to find. YOU DO INDEED USE THE OIL FILTER WRENCH FOR INSTALLATION. Hand tight is not enough. It WILL come loose, and probably destroy your engine. First hand tighten it, then use the filter wrench and socket to snug it up. Make sure that you CANNOT remove it with your hands. If you can, IT IS TOO LOOSE. He missed a step that I always do. It's not an absolute necessity (like properly tightening the oil filter) but a good idea. I put the plug back, but DO NOT tighten the clamp. I pour about a qt. of oil into the tank, then pull the plug back out, let a few ounces drain out to make sure there is no oil in the hose, then stick the plug back in it and tighten the clamp. It's pretty easy to see that that clamp is too big for the hose. That can result in uneven pressure on the plug, and cause leaks. I put in TWO AND A HALF QUARTS, NOT TWO. I still come out needing to add a little bit more. Total capacity with an oil and filter change is 3.6 quarts. The oil level should be about 1/16" below the max level on the dipstick. Don't overfill it, but get as much as you can in without overfilling it.

[@alicesrustychains6767]

Not to mention the car wash every Harley guy gives his bike afterwards

[@irishguyjg_2ndchancerecovery]

I wish I would of seen this comment before I unscrewed that oil filter, it ended up getting all over and made a huge mess I didnt really want to clean up lol. Thnx for the info BROTHER!

[@Raider_1266]

just bought a 2021 Iron 1200 less than 3000 miles on it . Great video straight to the point. seems easy enough to change oil

[@jonnymac8925]

I bought a oil filtet tool, a primary funnell, a funnel for the oil filter to funell oil away from the inside of the frame and a funnell for the motor oil on amazon for like $24....literally the best investment and 0 mess involved. Also, drain the oil first then take the filter off, that was just counter productive my guy!

[@maxf3093]

Jonny BigRig T800 what is the name of the funnel to take oil from going inside the frame?

[@jonnymac8925]

@@maxf3093 This is what I picked up off Amazon, it has a funnel for putting new oil in, a funnel for putting the primary/transmission fluid in, a metal socket style wrench attachment to take off the oil filter, and the funnel that goes under the filter when you remove it to drain the oil out of the frame area and it works amazing! The kit is 110% worth the $32 or whatever it is. It makes no mess and makes oil changes a 5 minute job. I hope this helps! www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07YKNJRBC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@justinturner4850]

Thank you. I’m sure it’s in the manual, but every other video I watched just shows the oil drain under the bike. I looked for that hose three times and couldn’t find it. Thanks for showing me that I was looking in the wrong place.

[@alfonsoeiter5686]

Yeah I just saved money by doing my own oil change today thank you for the video

[@Spriterom]

Seems easier than a car! Can't wait to buy that iron sportster 1200.

[@exciter300]

The Owners Manual says, 1st removes drain plug and drain all engine oil. 2nd is remove oil filter and replace as per instruction. 3rd says refill with Genuine Harley Oil. I believe you made an error by loosening the oil filter before draining the oil thus making a bit of mess under the oil filter chamber. Please advise.

[@whatsstefon]

It'll still make a mess. The steps don't matter which way you do them. My bigger concern is what the crankcase wasn't drained. Usually there is residual oil in there too. That's where the oil usually drains to overnight or extended periods of the engine not running. That's why the oil level reads low when the engine is cold. Also, after filling the oil tank, you should prime the oil in that drain line. It could have a big air bubble stuck in it. Maybe it won't, but it's worth doing while you're there.

[@jonnymac8925]

@@whatsstefon What? It absolutely matters which order it is done in and will not make 1/100th the mess he just made.

[@jonnymac8925]

@@whatsstefon also, not all sportsters have a crank case drain, and the ones that do aren't suggested to be removed for a very small amount of residual oil.

[@ceijytherover]

Quick and short i love it bro🤙🏾

[@MarcosSerna]

So why don’t you pull the drain plug first to make less mess from the oil filter?

[@johnelaschat2462]

So do you put exactly 2 quarts in even after you put a little in the new filter? Or just what you all have left after dumping a little in the new filter?

[@kennyan1182]

hi, i am new to the bike and i need to do an oil change. ive watched couple other videos but you put oils into that oil cap and some other put oil in the gear box. what is the difference?

[@snidely_whiplash]

Put a paper plate under the oil filter and divert it down to the oil pan. No mess. Also stuff a rag under it to catch anything that may get past

[@markcollins7158]

I used aluminum foil,made a wedge funnel just to keep it off the wire connectors.

[@igotcha1345]

Such a clean Machanic! Props

[@iliastopalidis6270]

Hi friend,i want to ask do i have to change first the oil in the gear box or the engine's ?

[@layt0nb0yo7]

My dip stick doesn’t pop out and I think it’s seized in there. Any recommendations?

[@Knight-Of-The-Road]

Is it normal to have small amount of oil residue on the edge where the old oil filter connects (connection) ?

[@valeriaortiz1687]

Just means the gasket is leaking, change your filters sooner

[@RoadRashHD]

I see they moved the drain hose to a different location now

[@jeffreyulery2182]

Type of oil was left out?

[@kayz9730]

I got my 48 delivered this November. I wonder if i have to change the primary oil separately, cuz the sale man told me it wasn’t necessary as the 48 had the smaller engine in compare with other Harleys

[@alanmarchione4021]

48 is a 1200cc engine. You have two separate oils for primary and secondary. You can change both together. The Salesman you were speaking to should not be selling these bikes with that information.

[@surplusbuyerliquidator934]

@@alanmarchione4021 What you mean 2 Separate Oil ? Because I Just bought a 1200 Sportster and I Need to change the Oil. Thanks for replying

[@s8307405]

depending on if you do a 1k, 5k or 10 k. On a 1k and 10k and every 10k you change primary/trans and engine oil. at every 5k interval change your engine oil

[@afonsomjr]

Hello, i am facing a acceleration hesitation problem in my Iron 1200, do you know what can be the problem?

[@nery_romero_3471]

Afonso M might be your spark plugs buddy, had that issue with my old sportster, got new spark plugs and it was fine. 👍🏽

[@masonmcfarlin4640]

Could be bad gas use 93 octane could need new plugs the battery could also be going out

[@Swampstomper1k]

What size socket do you need

[@siclt1]

When you move the pan it sounds like the we will rock you song lol

[@dennism103]

Very nice presentation thx

[@blaisejmaf17]

Thank you no need for dealer now!!!

[@Legions_666]

What specific kind of oil does it use?

[@PepperLewisAndCo]

It calls for Harley 20w50

[@Trev9]

My friend...first drain the oil, then the filter...jeez

[@BlazinBlades]

Trevor Brown Unbeleivable 🤪🤪🤪

[@stefantudoroy9571]

good explanation

[@jakelierly]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@hondaracer84r6]

1st oil change is 500miles or 1000miles. Asking because I didnt get a manual

[@AaaaandYerDhem]

1000

[@ricardocarvalholeite6263]

Thank you man!

[@M60E3MG]

So you can’t do an oil change without getting oil all over the frame?! What brainiac though that one through?

[@gwynnromano5881]

Thomas Carlson this thing was designed in the fifties. The only difference is the alloy engine, fuel injection and improvements to the brakes and suspension. Otherwise this is still a 1957 XLCH.

[@juanmanuel81]

U can use this! www.amazon.com/Drip-Free-Filter-Replacement-Davidson-Motorcycles/dp/B0799F9CJ5/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1528242719&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=oil+change+harley&psc=1

[@kevinhobson7353]

Surround the area underneath with tinfoil and make it work like a funnel to move the oil away from the bike

[@jonnymac8925]

First drain the oil underneath then take the filter off...that is one way. Also, a oil filter funnell from amazon will get rid of the rest. I am not sure why he took the filter off first.

[@davidmacgregor5193]

@@gwynnromano5881 Correction there, the overhead valve top end was designed in the 1950's, the Sporty's bottom end was designed for the "Flathead" motor in 1929.

[@vladstu]

You need to ride the bike to warm up and circulate the oil. Just idling will not circulate it and could be harmful to the engine since it is air cooled

[@KDad514]

You must be a Harley tech because they let that shit run down all over the frame too when they did my first oil change. I was super pissed.

[@chaseblankenship1741]

Supposed to be 3 quarts bud

[@gustavomata5604]

Yeah i checked the manual as well and i can confirm its 2.8 …i added an oil cooler on mine so I probably use a little over 3 now but ill find out this weekend about to hit my first 1,000 miles

[@masonmcfarlin4640]

It calls for 3 quarts why tf only add two

[@Grimmsby]

It's essently to prime the oil you let ot run to temp than add the last quart just so you don't over fill

[@masonmcfarlin4640]

It's oil capacity is 3.5 and calls for only 3 when refilling buy adding all three quarts you'll never over fill

[@rabsneddon]

undo oil filter and get old oil all over the bike....glad that's not my bike!!

[@Choirboyjr11]

Seriously? Harley couldn’t put a drain plug in the oil pan? And the oil filter is in the classic “soak everything” spot. Great video Cycle World. Guess if I purchase American, it’ll be an Indian.

[@saddle8bag]

The oil tank is up under the seat. Putting a plug on the bottom of it would really be a soak everything ordeal. They also make cheap little plastic slides that fit under the oil filter to guide the oil out from the side. All in all, I'd say this is about as easy as a non-electric motorcycle gets.

[@tuppersdad]

Don't be so fast to throw that Polaris POS around I made that mistake. It is a POS next week it is gone and the wife gets a new sportster. Polaris has endless issues that you don't hear about. By the way loved all my Hondas whish they never abandoned the cruiser market but it has gotten small so I understand.

[@medicmike4906]

@@tuppersdad I have owned 3 Indians, all have been without a single issue. I currently own a 2017 Indian Chieftain Elite never a problem. And by the way, my son owns the bike in this video and it has been in the shop 3 times in the last 8 months he has owned it. And not for normal maintenance either.

[@jonnymac8925]

@@medicmike4906 what issues may they have been?

[@hoboloath]

@@jonnymac8925 idk about his but I’ve already replaced my battery, fried a rear brake light, the throttle body cabling is constantly loosening, the ignition slot for the key is jiggling around, and currently it’s flickering the oil light even without the key inserted as well as running. Just changed the oil too filled her up and everything.