Final Drive Question

[coloradontexas]

OK, Read lots of threads on final drive oil change. Decided this is a project i can handle. Looked it over, and seems to me that i need to remove the exhaust. I have v/h down both sides and aint a whole lot of room between drain plug and exhaust. can this be done by just removing the bag instead? All help is appreciated.

[rickmeister56]

i have v/h on my bike and i only remove the bag and nothing else.

[Yellow Jacket]

Just one caution. It's recommended to ride the bike far enough to get the final drive oil warmed up good so that it drains more completely.

Don't touch the muffler while draining the oil ! ! ! ! ! !

Now that I found that out, I wrap a towel around the muffler to prevent burns.

[burkazoid]

I just changed mine this last weekend, and I didn't drop the muffler. But, I also didn't ride it until it was warmed up either. Quite a bit drained, but I don't think it was near 6.3oz, or whatever the book stated. I put Mobil 1 75w-90 in, so I'm really hoping mixing it with what was remaining in there won't hurt anything. I seriously thought about getting the wife's turkey baster and sucking everything out of it, but didn't.

[Yellow Jacket]

It's not really necessary to warm it up. Probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference.
I just do it because I'm finicky. :)

You're right about not dropping the muffler, just remove the bag.

[dkdixie]

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

It's not really necessary to warm it up. Probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference.
I just do it because I'm finicky. :)

You're right about not dropping the muffler, just remove the bag.

On mine have to drop the muffler, which is really no big deal.
Just too tight to remove drain plug without taking off the two bolts holding the pipe to bag support bracket.

[VulcanE]

On mine, I remove the bag, and have to remove the 2 mounting bolts for the muffler (don't have enough room to get the drain plug out). I support the muffler with a block of wood 'till I get the drain plug back in, then bolt it back up.

[coloradontexas]

thanks all.

[macmac]

I just pull the bag too. Maybe loosening but not removing the muffler bolts would help.

[doctorgski]

I changed my brothers final drive oil the other day, he has V&H baggers. I had to remove the rear support bolts to get the drain plug out, while pulling the muffler out away from the drain hole. I have Cobra's, it's not a problem with them.

[burkazoid]

Originally Posted by doctorgski

I have Cobra's, it's not a problem with them.

Same here, Cobras. I got right in just fine. I used a 5 peso coin as the bit, and a crescent wrench to turn. I still like the idea of warming up to get it to come out easier.