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Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight (2010-2021) — Maintenance Specs

The Forty-Eight (XL1200X) joined the 2010 Sportster lineup with its iconic 2.1-gallon peanut tank, fat 130/90-16 front tire, under-mount mirrors and low solo stance. It ran through 2021 with ABS becoming standard and a Forty-Eight Special (2019) adding forward controls and a taller handlebar - the service data never changed, since all XL1200 Evolution engines share the same 2.6 L oil-tank fill, 0.95 L transmission and 6R12 plugs. With the tiny tank, the 30-psi-class front pressure of the 883s is replaced by 36 psi on the 16-inch front rubber. The 2015 Sportster owner's manual from H-D's Service Information Portal is the official source, verified against the 2020 manual for the final model years.

Quick specs

Oil capacity (with filter) 2.6 Loil tank with filter (2.8 US qt) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Oil type Harley-Davidson H-D 360 or SYN3 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Oil viscosity SAE 20W-50 (H-D 360; SYN3 synthetic acceptable) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Front tire pressure (solo) 36 psi248 kPa cold, XL1200X 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Rear tire pressure (solo) 40 psi276 kPa cold 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Spark plug Harley-Davidson 6R1212 mm 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Spark plug gap 0.97-1.09 mm 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Fuel capacity 7.9 L2.1 US gal (XL1200X/V) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)

Maintenance schedule

Specification Value Source
Engine oil & filter 1,000 mi first service, then every 5,000 mi (8,000 km) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Spark plug replacement every 30,000 mi (48,000 km) or 2 years 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Brake fluid change every 2 years 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)

Fluids & capacities

Specification Value Source
Oil capacity (with filter) 2.6 Loil tank with filter (2.8 US qt) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Oil type Harley-Davidson H-D 360 or SYN3 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Oil viscosity SAE 20W-50 (H-D 360; SYN3 synthetic acceptable) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Final drive oil transmission 0.95 L (1.0 US qt), approximate L 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Brake fluid type (DOT) DOT 4 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Fuel capacity 7.9 L2.1 US gal (XL1200X/V) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)

Torque specs

Specification Value Source
Spark plug 16.3-24.4 Nu00b7m 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)

Electrical

Specification Value Source
Battery 12V, 225 CCA, 12 Ah, sealed maintenance-free 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Headlight bulb H4 60/55 W (H-D P/N 68329-03) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Spark plug Harley-Davidson 6R1212 mm 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Spark plug gap 0.97-1.09 mm 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)

Tires & wheels

Specification Value Source
Front tire size 130/90B16, Michelin Scorcher 31 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Rear tire size 150/80B16, Michelin Scorcher 31 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Front tire pressure (solo) 36 psi248 kPa cold, XL1200X 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Rear tire pressure (solo) 40 psi276 kPa cold 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)

Official manual

Owner's manual on Harley-Davidson official site

Opens the manufacturer’s official website in a new tab.

Frequently asked questions

How much oil does a Harley Forty-Eight take?
2.6 L (2.8 US qt) with the filter - same as every carb-era-on Evolution Sportster 1200, per the official manual.
What is the Forty-Eight tire pressure?
36 psi front (248 kPa) and 40 psi rear (276 kPa) cold.
How big is the Forty-Eight gas tank?
Just 7.9 L (2.1 US gal) - the model's defining feature.
What spark plug does a Forty-Eight use?
H-D 6R12, gap 0.97-1.09 mm, torque 16.3-24.4 Nu00b7m.

Sources

Value Source Checked
Oil capacity (with filter): 2.6 L 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Oil type: Harley-Davidson H-D 360 or SYN3 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Oil viscosity: SAE 20W-50 (H-D 360; SYN3 synthetic acceptable) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Final drive oil: transmission 0.95 L (1.0 US qt), approximate L 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Brake fluid type (DOT): DOT 4 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Fuel capacity: 7.9 L 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Engine oil & filter: 1,000 mi first service, then every 5,000 mi (8,000 km) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Spark plug replacement: every 30,000 mi (48,000 km) or 2 years 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Brake fluid change: every 2 years 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Spark plug: 16.3-24.4 Nu00b7m 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Battery: 12V, 225 CCA, 12 Ah, sealed maintenance-free 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Headlight bulb: H4 60/55 W (H-D P/N 68329-03) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Spark plug: Harley-Davidson 6R12 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Spark plug gap: 0.97-1.09 mm 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Front tire size: 130/90B16, Michelin Scorcher 31 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Rear tire size: 150/80B16, Michelin Scorcher 31 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Front tire pressure (solo): 36 psi 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Rear tire pressure (solo): 40 psi 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
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