Harley-Davidson Sportster S / Nightster (Revolution Max) — Example photo: Bengt Nyman, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Harley-Davidson · Hydraulic-lifter four-stroke twin, dry sump, gearbox shares engine oil, belt drive

Sportster S / Nightster (Revolution Max)

Library entry covers 2021-2026

32 factory 31 guideline

Published source

Harley-Davidson Maintenance Tables (file 2022-01-26 English 2022 Maintenance Tables; factory document, third-party hosted copy), Table 7-1

Factory factory bulletin. Covers 2022 tables, Sportster S (RH) models, Table 7-1.

63 items for a 2025 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)

Engine cycle: Four-stroke
Engine lubrication: Dry sump (separate oil tank)
Oil filtration: Replaceable cartridge or spin-on filter
Valve gear: Hydraulic lifters (no routine clearance adjustment)
Ignition: Electronic (CDI / transistor / ECU)
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Fuel injection
Cooling: Liquid cooled
Primary drive: Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil: Shares engine oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Toothed belt
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake: Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake: Disc, hydraulic
Wheels: Cast / alloy, tubeless
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

2025 Harley-Davidson Sportster S / Nightster (Revolution Max)

On the road: every 300 km

1 item

Check engine oil level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Each fuel stop on old machines. Dry sump: check the tank hot, engine idling or just stopped, per your manual.

On the road: every 500 km

2 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 800 km

1 item

Check coolant level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 5,000 km or 12 months

5 items

Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Guideline
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Guideline
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Guideline
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 6,500 km or 12 months

1 item

Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Guideline

Every 8,000 km or 12 months

8 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil and filter: replace. Factory: Cols 1,000 mi/1,600 km then every 5,000 mi/8,000 km to 50,000 mi. Annually.
Exhaust system, fasteners and shields: Inspect

Engine

Factory

Factory: As printed: X in all 11 interval columns (1600 KM / 1000 MI, 8000 KM / 5000 MI, 16000 KM / 10000 MI ... 80000 KM / 50000 MI); Notes 1, 3; Note 1: Perform annually or at specified intervals, whichever comes first.
Replace oil filter

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil and filter: replace. Factory: Every column; annually (fn 1).
Fuel lines and fittings: Inspect

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: As printed: X in all 11 interval columns (1600 KM / 1000 MI, 8000 KM / 5000 MI, 16000 KM / 10000 MI ... 80000 KM / 50000 MI); Notes 1, 2; Note 1: Perform annually or at specified intervals, whichever comes first.
Brake system: Inspect

Brakes

Factory

Factory: As printed: X in all 11 interval columns (1600 KM / 1000 MI, 8000 KM / 5000 MI, 16000 KM / 10000 MI ... 80000 KM / 50000 MI); Notes 1, 2; Note 1: Perform annually or at specified intervals, whichever comes first.
DOT4 front brake fluid moisture content: Check

Brakes

Factory

Factory: As printed: X in all 11 interval columns (1600 KM / 1000 MI, 8000 KM / 5000 MI, 16000 KM / 10000 MI ... 80000 KM / 50000 MI); Notes 1, 2; Note 1: Perform annually or at specified intervals, whichever comes first.
DOT4 rear brake fluid moisture content: Check

Brakes

Factory

Factory: As printed: X in all 11 interval columns (1600 KM / 1000 MI, 8000 KM / 5000 MI, 16000 KM / 10000 MI ... 80000 KM / 50000 MI); Notes 1, 2; Note 1: Perform annually or at specified intervals, whichever comes first.
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Tire pressure and tread: check. Factory: Every column; annually.

Every 8,000 km

12 items

Clean radiators and oil cooler: Clean

Engine

Factory

Factory: As printed: X in all 11 interval columns (1600 KM / 1000 MI, 8000 KM / 5000 MI, 16000 KM / 10000 MI ... 80000 KM / 50000 MI)
Component and system functions: Road Test

Engine

Factory

Factory: As printed: X in all 11 interval columns (1600 KM / 1000 MI, 8000 KM / 5000 MI, 16000 KM / 10000 MI ... 80000 KM / 50000 MI)
Electrical equipment and switches: Inspect

Engine

Factory

Factory: As printed: X in all 11 interval columns (1600 KM / 1000 MI, 8000 KM / 5000 MI, 16000 KM / 10000 MI ... 80000 KM / 50000 MI)
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air cleaner filter: inspect. Factory: Every column; more often in severe use.
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Clutch system: adjust. Factory: Every column.
Inspect drive belt, pulleys and tension

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Drive belt and sprockets: inspect; drive belt: adjust. Factory: Every column.
Centerstand (if equipped): Lubricate

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Factory: As printed: X in all 11 interval columns (1600 KM / 1000 MI, 8000 KM / 5000 MI, 16000 KM / 10000 MI ... 80000 KM / 50000 MI); Notes 2, 3
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Jiffy stand: lubricate. Factory: Every column.
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake pads and discs: inspect. Factory: Every column.
Front brake fluid level: Inspect

Brakes

Factory

Factory: As printed: X in all 11 interval columns (1600 KM / 1000 MI, 8000 KM / 5000 MI, 16000 KM / 10000 MI ... 80000 KM / 50000 MI); Notes 7
Rear brake fluid level: Inspect

Brakes

Factory

Factory: As printed: X in all 11 interval columns (1600 KM / 1000 MI, 8000 KM / 5000 MI, 16000 KM / 10000 MI ... 80000 KM / 50000 MI); Notes 7
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: Brake and clutch controls: lubricate. Factory: Every column; HARLEY LUBE.

Every 9,500 km or 12 months

5 items

Inspect coolant hoses and clamps

Engine

Guideline
Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Guideline

A dry speedo cable whips the needle and eventually kills the instrument.

Every 16,000 km or 12 months

2 items

Master cylinder handlebar clamp screw torque: tighten

Engine

Factory

Factory: first at 1000 mi (1600 km), then every 10000 mi; annually (note 1) Read from Harley-Davidson 2022 Maintenance Tables, Table 7-1 (Sportster RH models)
Clutch lever handlebar clamp screw torque: tighten

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Factory: first at 1000 mi (1600 km), then every 10000 mi; annually (note 1) Read from Harley-Davidson 2022 Maintenance Tables, Table 7-1 (Sportster RH models)

Every 16,000 km or 2 years

2 items

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline
Replace spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs: replace. Factory: Every two years or 10,000 mi, whichever first.

Every 16,000 km

1 item

Steering head bearings: adjust

Front end

Factory

Factory: first at 1000 mi (1600 km), then every 10000 mi (16000 km); dealer item (note 2) Read from Harley-Davidson 2022 Maintenance Tables, Table 7-1 (Sportster RH models)

Every 19,500 km or 2 years

3 items

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Guideline
Synchronize throttle bodies

Fuel and air

Guideline
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 24,000 km

2 items

Front wheel spoke tightness (if equipped): check

Wheels and tires

Factory

Factory: marked at 1000, 5000 and 20000 mi, then every 15000 mi (24000 km) per note 4; not all vehicles have spoked wheels Read from Harley-Davidson 2022 Maintenance Tables, Table 7-1 (Sportster RH models)
Rear wheel spoke tightness (if equipped): check

Wheels and tires

Factory

Factory: marked at 1000, 5000 and 20000 mi, then every 15000 mi (24000 km) per note 4; not all vehicles have spoked wheels Read from Harley-Davidson 2022 Maintenance Tables, Table 7-1 (Sportster RH models)

Every 32,000 km or 4 years

2 items

Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Guideline

Many old machines use loose balls in cups and cones. Taper roller conversions are common.
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Cup-and-cone and taper roller hubs need periodic repacking and adjustment.

Every 38,500 km or 4 years

1 item

Replace fuel filter

Fuel and air

Guideline

Every 40,000 km or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 48,000 km

1 item

Replace coolant

Engine

Factory

Manual: Coolant: replace. Factory: Text row.

Every 48,500 km or 6 years

1 item

Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs

Front end

Guideline

Every 80,000 km

1 item

Change fork oil

Front end

Factory

Manual: Front forks: rebuild and replace fork oil. Factory: Text row.

Every 80,500 km

1 item

Replace drive belt (wear or damage based)

Final drive

Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item

Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: 12 volt battery: check. Factory: Annually.

Every 2 years

3 items

Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Flush brake systems, replace DOT 4 fluid. Factory: Every two years, or sooner if moisture 3 percent or more.

Every 4 years

3 items

Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Guideline

Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.
Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Guideline
Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 6 years

1 item

Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)

Wheels and tires

Guideline

No interval set

2 items

Rear sprocket compensator: Inspect

Engine

Factory

Factory: As printed: Inspect rear sprocket isolators for wear at each rear tire change.
Steering head bearings: Lubricate

Front end

Factory

Factory: As printed: X marked in one interval column only; column not readable; Note 2

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.