Fuel and oil specifications, grade, cctane and viscosity as well as selecting motor oil and oil changine procedures for 2008 Harley Davidson XL 883 Sportster (2008), XL 883C Sportster (2008), XL 883L Sportster (2008), XL 1200L Sportster (2008), XL 1200R Sportster (2008), XL 1200N Sportster (2008), Harley Davidson XL 1200C Sportster( 2008), XL 1200C Sportster Custom 105th Anniversary Edition (2008). 08 Harley Custom, 08 Harley Nightster, 08 Roadster, Sportster Low. XL883, XL1200, XL883C, XL883L, XL1200L, XL1200C Motorcycle.
Refer to
Octane ratings are usually found on the pump.
Table 1-1. Always use a good quality unleaded gasoline.
Avoid spills. Slowly remove filler cap. Do not fill above
bottom of filler neck insert, leaving air space for fuel
expansion. Secure filler cap after refueling. Gasoline is
extremely flammable and highly explosive, which could
result in death or serious injury. (00028a)
Use care when refueling. Pressurized air in fuel tank can
force gasoline to escape through filler tube. Gasoline is
extremely flammable and highly explosive, which could
result in death or serious injury. (00029a)
Modern service station pumps dispense a high flow of gasoline
into a motorcycle fuel tank making air entrapment and pressurization
a possibility.
Table 1-1. Octane Ratings
SPECIFICATION RATING
Pump Octane (R+M)/2 91 (95 RON)
GASOLINE BLENDS
Your motorcycle was designed to get the best performance
and efficiency using unleaded gasoline. Most gasoline is
blended with alcohol and/or ether to create oxygenated blends.
The type and amount of alcohol or ether added to the fuel is
important.
Do not use gasoline that contains methanol. Doing so can
result in fuel system component failure, engine damage
and/or equipment malfunction. (00148a)
•
(MTBE): Gasoline/MTBE blends are a mixture of gasoline
and as much as 15% MTBE. Gasoline/MTBE blends can
be used in your motorcycle.
Gasoline containing METHYL TERTIARY BUTYL ETHER
•
90% unleaded gasoline. Gasoline/ethanol blends can be
used in your motorcycle if the ethanol content does
ETHANOL is a mixture of 10% ethanol (Grain alcohol) andnot
exceed 10%.
•
(RFG): Reformulated gasoline is a term used to describe
gasoline blends that are specifically designed to burn
cleaner than other types of gasoline, leaving fewer tailpipe
emissions. They are also formulated to evaporate less
when you are filling your tank. Reformulated gasolines
use additives to oxygenate the gas. Your motorcycle will
run normally using this type of gas and Harley-Davidson
recommends you use it when possible, as an aid to cleaner
air in our environment.
REFORMULATED OR OXYGENATED GASOLINES
•
will damage the fuel system.
Some gasoline blends might adversely affect the starting,
driveability or fuel efficiency of the motorcycle. If any of these
problems are experienced, try a different brand of gasoline or
gasoline with a higher octane blend.
Do not use race gas or octane boosters. Use of these fuels
In colder climates, the engine oil should be changed often. If
motorcycle is used frequently for short trips, less than 15
miles (24 kilometers), in ambient temperatures below 60°
F (16° C), oil change intervals should be reduced to 1500
miles (2400 kilometers). Motorcycles used only for short runs
must have a thorough tank flush-out before
The tank flush-out should be performed by an authorized dealer
or qualified technician.
new oil is put in.
NOTE
The further below freezing the temperature drops, the shorter
the oil change interval should be.
Water vapor is a normal by-product of combustion in any
engine. During cold weather operation, some of the water vapor
condenses to liquid form on the cool metal surfaces inside the
engine. In freezing weather this water will become slush or ice
and, if allowed to accumulate too long, may block the oil lines
and cause damage to the engine.
If the engine is run frequently and allowed to thoroughly warm
up, most of this water will become vapor again and will be
blown out through the crankcase breather.
If the engine is not run frequently and allowed to thoroughly
warm up, this water will accumulate, mix with the engine oil
and form a sludge that is harmful to the engine.
