- 1). Park your Softail on its side stand and reach under its frame, below the transmission unit, to locate the engine oil drain plug. The plug is on a cross-member between the motorcycle's shock absorbers and the rear swingarm. Spray the oil drain plug and the surrounding area with brake cleaning spray to remove any built-up dirt that could infiltrate the engine.
- 2). Start your Softail's engine and allow it to warm up for a minimum of three minutes, then stop the engine and let it cool for another 10 minutes. Mount your Softail on a service stand to hold it in an upright position.
- 3). Unscrew the oil cap from the right side of the oil tank, positioned below the rider's seat. Place an oil drain pan below the drain plug, then unscrew the plug with a 5/8-inch socket and ratchet. Allow the contents of the oil tank to drain into your drain pan.
- 4). Wipe away any metal shavings and buildup from the drain plug's magnetic tip, using a shop towel. Inspect the drain plug O-ring for cracks or tears. Replace the O-ring if it is damaged in any way. Screw the drain plug into the frame's cross-member with a 5/8-inch socket and a socket wrench. Tighten the drain plug to 20 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.
- 5). Spray the area around the oil filter and the oil pump, located on the front of the engine, with a brake cleaning spray. Wipe away the remaining brake fluid and loosened dirt, with a shop towel.
- 6). Unscrew the oil filter from the oil pump, using an oil filter wrench. Allow any oil remaining in the oil pump to drain into your drain pan.
- 7). Lightly coat the new oil filter's gasket with 20W50 engine oil, then screw the filter onto the oil pump by hand until it is seated snugly. Tighten the filter an additional quarter-turn.
- 8). Refill the oil tank with three quarts of motorcycle-specific 20W50 engine oil, then screw the oil cap onto the oil tank.
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