Harley Oil Change Kits
Compare the four-quart and five-quart AMSOIL kits for Twin Cam and Milwaukee-Eight motorcycles, including black and chrome oil-filter options.
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Harley-Davidson Oil and Maintenance
Harley-Davidson Oil, Fluids and Oil Change Kits
Find the correct engine oil, primary fluid, transmission fluid, oil filter and AMSOIL oil-change kit for your Harley-Davidson. Built around the way Harley motorcycles are actually serviced—not generic motorcycle-oil advice.
The Short Answer
Most Harley-Davidson Big Twin motorcycles have three separate lubricant compartments: the engine, primary chaincase and transmission. AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil can be used in all three compartments on most Harley applications.
Riders who prefer a dedicated product in each compartment can use AMSOIL V-Twin Primary Fluid and AMSOIL V-Twin Transmission Fluid with 20W-50 V-Twin Motorcycle Oil in the engine.
Harley-Davidson Lubrication Hub
Most Popular
Common Question
Engine Family
Engine Family
Vintage Harley
Model Identification
Start With What You Need
Harley engines, oil capacities and service requirements vary by year, model and engine family. Choose the section that matches the job, then verify the exact motorcycle before ordering.
Oil in All Three Holes
Learn when the same 20W-50 motorcycle oil can be used in the engine, primary and transmission—and when dedicated fluids may make more sense.
Harley Three-Hole OilHarley Twin Cam Oil
Oil guidance for Twin Cam 88, 96, 103 and 110 engines, including engine heat, oil level, primary and transmission considerations.
Best Oil for Twin CamMilwaukee-Eight Oil
Engine, primary and transmission lubrication for M8 Touring and Softail motorcycles, including current five-quart AMSOIL oil-change kits.
Milwaukee-Eight page plannedHarley Flathead Oil
Lubrication considerations for vintage Flathead engines, including older oiling systems, storage protection and separate lubricant compartments.
Read the Flathead PageHarley Model Abbreviations
Decode designations such as FLHR, FLHP, FLHX, FXST and XL so you can identify the motorcycle family and find the correct service information.
Decode Harley Abbreviations
The Three Compartments
Engine, Primary and Transmission Oil
Unlike many motorcycles that share one lubricant between the engine, transmission and wet clutch, most Harley-Davidson Big Twins use separate lubricant compartments.
That gives the rider two reasonable approaches: use one approved V-twin motorcycle oil in all three compartments, or use a dedicated lubricant in each compartment.
Engine
Primary Recommendation
AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil
Designed for the heat produced by air-cooled V-twin engines while resisting viscosity loss, deposits, oxidation and corrosion during operation and storage.
Primary Chaincase
Two Valid Options
AMSOIL 20W-50 V-Twin Oil or AMSOIL Synthetic V-Twin Primary Fluid
Both are wet-clutch compatible. The dedicated primary fluid is intended specifically for clutch, primary-chain and compensator operation.
Transmission
Two Valid Options
AMSOIL 20W-50 V-Twin Oil or AMSOIL Synthetic V-Twin Transmission Fluid
The dedicated transmission fluid is thicker than 20W-50 engine oil and may help cushion gear contact, quiet transmission noise and improve shift feel.
AMSOIL Harley Oil Change Kits
Four Kits: Choose the Oil Quantity and Filter Finish
AMSOIL offers four V-twin oil-change kits. Each kit contains AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil, an AMSOIL motorcycle oil filter and a drain-plug O-ring.
These are engine-oil-change kits. Servicing the primary chaincase and transmission requires additional oil or the appropriate dedicated fluids.
4 Quarts · Black
HDBK-EA
Four quarts of AMSOIL 20W-50 V-Twin Motorcycle Oil, one black AMSOIL motorcycle oil filter and one drain-plug O-ring.
Designed for most applicable 1999–2016 Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
4 Quarts · Chrome
HDCK-EA
Four quarts of AMSOIL 20W-50 V-Twin Motorcycle Oil, one chrome AMSOIL motorcycle oil filter and one drain-plug O-ring.
Designed for most applicable 1999–2016 Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
5 Quarts · Black
HDMB-EA
Five quarts of AMSOIL 20W-50 V-Twin Motorcycle Oil, one black AMSOIL motorcycle oil filter and one drain-plug O-ring.
Designed for most applicable 2016–present Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
5 Quarts · Chrome
HDMC-EA
Five quarts of AMSOIL 20W-50 V-Twin Motorcycle Oil, one chrome AMSOIL motorcycle oil filter and one drain-plug O-ring.
Designed for most applicable 2016–present Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Harley Engine Families
Oil Requirements Depend on the Motorcycle
Harley-Davidson has used several engine families, oiling systems and lubricant-compartment designs. Engine name, model year and motorcycle family all matter when selecting oil and determining capacity.
Flathead
Vintage side-valve engines require application-specific guidance. Original oiling systems, modifications, storage periods and the exact engine configuration matter more than a modern blanket recommendation.
Knucklehead, Panhead and Shovelhead
Older overhead-valve engines may have different clearances, oiling systems, seals and service requirements than modern Harleys. Confirm the exact engine and any modifications before choosing oil.
Evolution
Evolution Big Twins and Sportsters helped establish Harley’s modern air-cooled engine era. Do not assume a Big Twin and Sportster use the same lubrication arrangement merely because both are called Evolution.
Twin Cam
Twin Cam engines can produce considerable heat, especially in slow traffic, heavily loaded touring service and modified applications. Correct oil level is important; overfilling a dry-sump Harley can create its own problems.
Milwaukee-Eight
Milwaukee-Eight Touring and Softail motorcycles use application-specific capacities and service procedures. Most current AMSOIL oil-change kits for these motorcycles contain five quarts, but the exact lookup must still be used.
Revolution Max
Pan America, Sportster S and other Revolution Max models use a different liquid-cooled engine design than traditional air-cooled Big Twins. Do not apply Big Twin three-compartment advice without checking the exact motorcycle requirements.
Before Ordering
Confirm the Exact Year, Model and Engine
The AMSOIL motorcycle lookup is the safest starting point for confirming engine oil, primary fluid, transmission fluid, oil filter and capacity information for a specific Harley-Davidson.
- Select the exact model year. Do not choose the closest year and assume nothing changed.
- Select the complete model. Touring, Softail, Sportster, Trike and CVO applications can differ.
- Confirm the engine. Engine family and displacement affect capacity and product recommendations.
- Check every compartment. Engine, primary and transmission capacities are listed separately where applicable.
- Verify the final oil level. Use the proper Harley-Davidson checking procedure instead of blindly installing the listed quantity.
Why Riders Choose AMSOIL
Built for the Demands of a V-Twin Motorcycle
Heat Resistance
Air-cooled Harley engines can expose the oil to substantial heat, especially during slow traffic, summer riding, long-distance touring, heavy loading and modified-engine operation.
Viscosity Stability
Motorcycle oils can be subjected to heat, mechanical shearing and gear loading. Maintaining the intended viscosity helps preserve the protective oil film under demanding operation.
Wet-Clutch Compatibility
AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil and AMSOIL V-Twin Primary Fluid are formulated for wet-clutch operation, allowing proper clutch engagement.
Storage Protection
Many motorcycles sit for weeks or months between rides. Corrosion and moisture protection matter during seasonal storage, repeated temperature changes and infrequent operation.
Harley-Davidson Oil FAQ
Common Harley Oil Questions
What is the best oil for a Harley-Davidson?
For many modern air-cooled Harley-Davidson motorcycles, a full-synthetic 20W-50 motorcycle oil formulated for V-twin heat and wet-clutch use is a strong choice. AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil is designed for this application. Always confirm the recommendation for the exact year, model and engine.
Can AMSOIL 20W-50 be used in all three holes?
Yes, on most Harley-Davidson motorcycles for which AMSOIL recommends it. AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil can be used in the engine, primary chaincase and transmission. Check the motorcycle lookup before applying this advice to a specific bike.
Are dedicated primary and transmission fluids better?
Dedicated fluids are more specialized, but that does not make 20W-50 unsuitable. AMSOIL Primary Fluid is formulated for the wet clutch, chain and compensator. AMSOIL Transmission Fluid is thicker and may provide quieter operation and improved shift feel. The practical difference may be small on an ordinary street-ridden motorcycle.
Does an AMSOIL oil-change kit service all three compartments?
No. The kits include engine oil, an engine-oil filter and a drain-plug O-ring. Additional oil or dedicated fluids are required when servicing the primary chaincase and transmission.
Which AMSOIL Harley oil-change kit do I need?
Four-quart HDBK and HDCK kits cover most listed 1999–2016 applications. Five-quart HDMB and HDMC kits cover most listed 2016–present applications. Black and chrome refer to the oil-filter finish. Confirm the exact motorcycle before ordering.
How often should Harley-Davidson oil be changed?
Follow the motorcycle manufacturer’s service schedule and the applicable lubricant recommendation. Engine modifications, high temperatures, repeated short trips, stop-and-go riding, racing and contamination may require shorter intervals.
Can automotive oil be used in a Harley-Davidson?
Do not select oil based only on viscosity. The lubricant must suit the engine and, when used in the primary chaincase, must also be compatible with the wet clutch. A purpose-built V-twin motorcycle oil removes much of that guesswork.
How do I check the Harley engine-oil level correctly?
Follow the procedure for the exact motorcycle. Many Harley-Davidson motorcycles use a dry-sump system and require the level to be checked under specific temperature and operating conditions. Overfilling can cause aeration, breather carryover and oil in the air cleaner.
Buy From the Mechanic. Not the Salesman.
Find the Correct AMSOIL Products for Your Harley-Davidson
Start with the exact year and model. The AMSOIL motorcycle lookup identifies the recommended engine oil, primary fluid, transmission fluid, oil filter and capacities for the motorcycle.