Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 117 (FLHC 2025) — OEM Fluid, Tire Pressure & Maintenance Specs
1,923cc Air/Oil-Cooled 45° V-Twin Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic · Source: Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 117 (FLHC 2025) (2025–Present) Official Owner’s Manual Maintenance Specifications
According to the Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 117 (FLHC 2025) (2025–Present) Official Owner’s Manual Maintenance Specifications, the 2025–Present Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 117 (FLHC 2025) (chassis FLHC (117)) requires 4.3 L (4.54 US qt) of SAE 20W-50 (JASO MA2, Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 20W-50 / H-D 360 20W-50) engine oil for a drain-only change and 4.7 L (4.97 US qt) with filter service (HD 62700296 / 62700297 (HF171C)). Standard solo cold tire pressure is 248 kPa / 2.48 bar / 36 PSI front (130/90B16 73H) and 276 kPa / 2.76 bar / 40 PSI rear (150/80B16 77H), paired with 4× HD 6R10 (31600012 Dual-Plug M8) spark plug(s) and a YTX20HL-BS / HD 65989-97E battery.
Drain only: 4.3 L (4.54 US qt)
R 276 kPa (2.76 bar)
Est. Range: ~344 km (214 mi)
1. Engine Lubrication, Filter & Clutch Specifications
| Clutch Architecture | Wet Multi-Plate Manual Clutch NEVER use JASO MB |
|---|---|
| Recommended Viscosity & Grade | SAE 20W-50 · JASO MA2 · Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 20W-50 / H-D 360 20W-50 |
| Oil Volume (Drain / With Filter / Overhaul) |
• Drain only: 4.3 L (4.54 US qt) • With filter/strainer: 4.7 L (4.97 US qt) • Complete dry overhaul: 5.2 L (5.49 US qt) |
| OEM Oil Filter Code & Type | HD 62700296 / 62700297 (HF171C) |
| Correct Oil Level Check Method | At full operating temperature resting ON THE SIDESTAND (Jiffy Stand); thread dipstick in to read |
| Oil Drain Bolt Torque | 24 N·m (17.7 lb-ft / 2.45 kgf·m) — Use fresh crush washer |
| Primary Chaincase Fluid | 1065 ml (1.06 L) — H-D Formula+ Primary & Clutch Fluid (900–1,065 ml wet refill) |
| Separate Transmission / Gearbox Oil | 828 ml (0.83 L) — H-D Formula+ or Heavy Synthetic Gear Oil 80W-140 (828 ml / 28 oz) |
2. Cold Tire Pressures, Wheels, Ignition & Drivetrain
| Front / Rear OEM Tire Sizes | Front: 130/90B16 73H · Rear: 150/80B16 77H (Tubeless) |
|---|---|
| Cold Tire Pressure — Solo Riding |
Front: 248 kPa / 2.48 bar / 36 PSI Rear: 276 kPa / 2.76 bar / 40 PSI |
| Cold Tire Pressure — 2-Up / Loaded Touring |
Front: 248 kPa / 2.48 bar / 36 PSI Rear: 290 kPa / 2.90 bar / 42 PSI |
| OEM Spark Plug & Quantity | HD 6R10 (31600012 Dual-Plug M8) × 4 (Gap: 0.8–0.9 mm) |
| OEM Battery Code & Rating | YTX20HL-BS / HD 65989-97E (12V 18.0Ah Heavy-Duty AGM) |
| Final Drive Maintenance | Carbon/Aramid Reinforced Secondary Belt — Inspect belt deflection and pulley debris |
| Brake Fluid & Coolant | DOT 4 · Air/Oil-Cooled Engine (No liquid coolant) |
3. Ergonomics, Range & Scheduled Service Intervals
| Displacement · Max Power · Peak Torque | 1923 cc · 98 hp @ 4,600 rpm · 163 N·m (120.2 lb-ft) @ 2,750 rpm |
|---|---|
| Seat Height & Wet Curb Weight | 680 mm (26.8 in) · 325 kg (717 lbs) |
| Fuel Tank & Est. Real-World Range | 18.9 L (5.0 US gal) · ~18.2 km/L → ~344 km (214 mi) |
| OEM Scheduled Maintenance Intervals |
• First Break-In: 1,600 km • Engine Oil / Filter: 8,000 km / 8,000 km • Air Filter / Spark Plug: 24,000 km / 48,000 km • Valve Clearance Check: 48,000 km |
4. Generation Cutoffs & Real-World Wrenching Gotchas
Model-Year & Chassis Generation Notes
The Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 117 (chassis code FLHC) represents a major evolution for the 2025 Softail cruiser lineup, upgrading to the muscular 1,923cc (117 cubic inch) Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic V-twin powertrain. Delivering 98 hp at 5,020 rpm and a formidable 163 Nm of peak torque at 3,500 rpm, the engine is paired with a nostalgic 2-into-1 exhaust system tuned for robust low-end acceleration and deep exhaust cadence. The platform integrates comprehensive modern rider aids including selectable Road, Rain, and Sport ride modes, alongside IMU-driven Cornering Enhanced ABS (C-ABS), Cornering Traction Control (C-TCS), Cornering Drag Torque Slip Control (C-DSCS), and standard Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS). Blending authentic 1950s post-war cruiser heritage with touring versatility, the machine features a quick-detachable windscreen, weatherproof lockable leather-wrapped studded saddlebags, full-LED forward lighting with auxiliary driving lamps, and tubeless laced-spoke or cast wheel options on its rigid Softail chassis.
Oil & Clutch Mechanical Engineering Note
The Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic powertrain maintains Harley-Davidson’s traditional three-hole separated lubrication architecture, physically isolating the engine crankcase, the primary chaincase, and the 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission into three autonomous fluid circuits. Engine crankcase routine service requires 4.3 liters for a standard drain, 4.7 liters when swapping the spin-on cartridge oil filter (OEM part HD 62700296 / 62700297, or HifloFiltro HF171C), and 5.2 liters after complete engine rebuild. The factory specifies SAE 20W-50 viscosity conforming to JASO MA2 and Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 20W-50 or H-D 360 Genuine Oil specifications. The crankcase drain bolt requires torquing to exactly 24 N·m. Oil level verification must strictly follow the dipstick_on_sidestand_hot procedure: warming the engine to full operating temperature, resting the bike on its jiffy stand (sidestand), and threading the dipstick fully home before taking the reading. Meanwhile, the wet multi-plate manual clutch operating inside the primary chaincase takes 1,065 ml (wet refill 900–1,065 ml) of H-D Formula+ Primary & Clutch Fluid, while the isolated 6-speed transmission requires 828 ml (28 oz) of H-D Formula+ or Heavy Synthetic Gear Oil 80W-140.
Garage Wrenching Gotchas
- Engine oil level inspection must strictly be conducted with the motorcycle resting on its sidestand after the engine has reached full operating temperature. Unlike motorcycles requiring an upright posture, inspecting while level or cold leads to falsely low readings and catastrophic overfilling. Overfilling the 1,923cc Milwaukee-Eight engine spikes crankcase internal pressures, forcing excessive oil blow-by through the breather breathers directly into the intake air cleaner housing.
- The Heritage Classic 117 isolates lubricant into three independent chambers: engine sump, primary chaincase, and 6-speed gearbox, each with its own undercarriage drain plug. Technicians must cross-verify fluid capacities and ports: SAE 20W-50 (4.7 L with filter) for the engine, Formula+ (1,065 ml) for the primary, and Formula+ or 80W-140 gear oil (828 ml) for the transmission. Always inspect drain plug O-rings and torque the engine drain plug to 24 N·m to safeguard alloy case threads.
- The Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin incorporates a dual-spark architecture utilizing four spark plugs in total (two plugs per cylinder, OEM HD 6R10 / 31600012). When accessing the center and outer plugs, never wrench violently on the high-tension leads; employ a proper boot puller to avert internal wire fracture. Thread the plugs entirely by hand before tightening with a thin-wall 16mm socket to protect cylinder head threads, adhering to the 48,000 km replacement interval.
- Stock tubeless cruiser tire specifications are 130/90B16 73H upfront and 150/80B16 77H out back. Cold tire inflation pressures are strictly set at 248 kPa (36 psi) front and 276 kPa (40 psi) rear for solo riding, and 248 kPa (36 psi) front and 290 kPa (42 psi) rear when fully loaded with passenger and luggage. With a 325 kg curb mass and 163 Nm of torque, under-inflation induces premature shoulder wear and degrades highway tracking, necessitating regular cold checks.
- Servicing the primary fluid (1,065 ml) and inspecting the wet clutch requires removing the five T27 Torx fasteners on the outer derby cover. Always torque the fasteners in a crisscross star pattern to achieve even sealing clamping force. Ensure the large perimeter quad-ring gasket seats flawlessly in its machined groove without pinching or rolling. Improper bolt torque sequence or a displaced gasket remains the primary source of primary drive oil leaks.
Primary OEM Verification Reference: https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/heritage-classic.html ↗
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the engine oil service capacities and recommended oil specifications for the Heritage Classic 117?
Engine oil service takes 4.3 liters for a basic drain, 4.7 liters when replacing the spin-on cartridge oil filter (OEM HD 62700296 / 62700297, HF171C), and 5.2 liters upon overhaul. The factory recommends SAE 20W-50 viscosity meeting JASO MA2 and Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 20W-50 or H-D 360 standards. The oil drain bolt torques to 24 N·m, and oil level verification must be performed with the warm engine leaning on its sidestand using the threaded dipstick.
What are the stock tire sizes and factory recommended tire pressures for solo and loaded riding?
Stock tubeless cruiser tires measure 130/90B16 73H for the front and 150/80B16 77H for the rear. Recommended cold tire pressures for solo riding are 248 kPa (36 psi) front and 276 kPa (40 psi) rear. When fully loaded with a pillion passenger and cargo, cold pressures should be maintained at 248 kPa (36 psi) front and 290 kPa (42 psi) rear.
What are the lubricant capacities and specifications for the primary chaincase and 6-speed transmission?
The model features an isolated 3-hole lubrication layout. The primary chaincase housing the wet multi-plate clutch takes 1,065 ml (900–1,065 ml wet refill) of H-D Formula+ Primary & Clutch Fluid. The separate 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission requires 828 ml (28 oz) of H-D Formula+ or Heavy Synthetic Gear Oil 80W-140, both inspected during regular 8,000 km maintenance intervals.
What spark plugs does the model use, how many are installed, and what is the service interval?
The Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine utilizes a dual-plug head design requiring four spark plugs in total (two plugs per cylinder). The factory spark plug is OEM HD 6R10 (part number 31600012 Dual-Plug M8), with a scheduled replacement interval of every 48,000 km. The starting and electrical system is powered by a high-output YTX20HL-BS (OEM HD 65989-97E) battery.
What are the seat height, curb weight, fuel capacity, and ergonomic characteristics of the Heritage Classic 117?
Stock seat height is set at an accessible 680 mm, providing commanding ground reach and a relaxed wide-cruiser seating posture. The motorcycle weighs 325 kg in running order, with an 18.9-liter fuel tank delivering an estimated 18.2 km/L fuel efficiency for over 340 km of touring range. Equipped with full floorboards, a quick-release windscreen, and weather-sealed leather saddlebags, it is tuned for effortless long-haul cruising.