Oil Change

[Stub]

Hi Mike,
I remember reading a few years back that every so often when changing the oil in a Harley, that you should leave off the oil filter, overfill the oil tank, and start up the bike. When a half quart or so comes out the filter opening, shut off the engine and add more oil then fire it up again. Do this untill clean oil comes out the filter opening. It said that a lot of dirty oil gets left in the engine, oil lines etc. I think they said to do this a couple of times a year. Article was in a major magazine that only deals with V-Twin bikes. Sounded like a good idea but have never done it. What do you think? Is there any chance of engine damage and is it worth the mess and expense.

Thanks, Stub

[Mike]

Good idea for EV and older big twins, bad idea for TC's and XL's. EV and earlier big twins filter the oil after the engine on the return to the oil tank (this is why prefilling the filter on oil changes is uneccessary). TC's and XL's filter the oil on it's way (prior) to the engine (filters should be prefilled), so side routing the oil would starve the engine of that oil, possibly doing more damage than the dirt in the oil. Better method would be to change oil and filter, run the bike for about 20 miles then change the oil and filter again. You could even do this a second time (third oil change). This way you are not only draining all the oil but flushing the entire system. Once a year would be adequate.
The company that makes the "scavenger" is Rogue Choppers (www.roguechoppers.com). This unit replaces the return line behind the cover between the engine and trans and allows the oil to be flushed without starving the engine.
Thanks, Mike