You are kicking a can of worms here that has been mentioned who knows how many times in other old threads.

For what its worth. On my Indians. (Roadmaster Springfield and Scout) I've just gone to oil changing them on the side stand. It doesn't seem to make any difference in getting a good drain. When it comes to filling with fresh oil I just do as recommended. Add 4.5 quarts. Run for a couple of minutes. Then add the remainder 1.5 quarts. Again. Side stand or standing up the process is all the same. From there I'll pretty much forget about it till the next season or 5,000 miles. These engines don't use any oil and getting an accurate repeatable reading is near impossible.

Good Luck. You will do fine whichever way you do it.

 

That information is on page 70 of the owners manual, available here, https://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-ca/owners-manuals/

 

I put my kickstand on a wheel chock to raise the bike up some to make it easier to get to the drain plugs.

 

This is from the owners manual for my '21:

This is from the '18-24 service manual:

 

I place a small piece of 2X4 under the side stand to get the bike as straight as possible [without tipping it over] so I can drain as much of the old oil out as possible,and do the same when checking the oil level. Dave!!!

 

I do the same with 2X4 for draining oil, but I like to loosen/tighten drain plug on side stand for stability

 

It is made to be done on the sidestand.

 

Not wishing to split hairs here gents, but it clearly states paragraph 2 above in the workshop manual screenshots:

“For proper oil drain, use a service lift to ensure the motorcycle is vertically centred.”

I use a chunk of 4 X 2 as well!

 

Yup!
That's exactly what the engineers will tell ya which I disagree with because I have done it both ways and guess which way gets more of the old dirty oil out?? Hence the reason I do it the way I do it. But each to his own!!!

 

For the $149 special they run at Music City Indian in Nashville…. I’m going there. After paying for the oil kit and disposal it just isn’t worth DIY.

 

K&P oil filter + case of Amsoil + torch to anneal the copper crush washers (or buy a bag of them off of Amazon) = much less $$$ spent per oil change. Oil can be disposed of at any Autozone/Advance Auto/Napa/O'rielly's, or in my case, I do the oil change at work and dump the oil oil in the old oil drum. I can change my oil in less than an hour, including cleaning the oil filter.

 

Since I have been in this racket for the past 70 consecutive years of my life, I have learned a lot and even though I may now be retired, you never retire from this trade because there is always someone who will ask you to help em out, which I do, and have not regretted it to this day. And a simple thank you is all that is required in most cases. Dave!!!

 

I change my own oil on both my car and motorcycle more for personal convenience not really price. It takes me 30 minutes for car at my own convenience and time frame, unshowered and unshaved and I may or may not be drinking beer. It takes a little longer for the motorcycle (Indian's Thunderstroke strange process lol) but under the same conditions. I buy oil on sale and have it ready in the garage. I simply don't like needing to schedule time to take a vehicle somewhere and possibly waiting 2 hours for an oil change. I keep empty jugs for the used oil and dispose of it at a local auto parts store chain when I happen to be going that direction.

 

I know of a couple from the forum. Stahlbus is another company that manufacture the quick release drain valves too. More details in the quote I lifted from an old thread. I have used Femco on several of my past vehicles. They make oil changes so quick and easy!

Femco drains are used prolifically this side of the Pond on both cars and motorcycles.

Femco - Replace oil drain plugs - Buy Femco Drain Valves

Stahlbus is another popular make used too.

The stahlbus® oil drain valve

 

I made a waste oil heater for my shop, thanks to “The University of YouTube.” Now I don’t have to get rid of my waste oil.

 

Pictures aren’t uploading right now.

 

 

I have a pair of quick drain valves. Haven't yet tried them. I fear the holes are too close together to screw both in. I also have enough copper washers for 250,000 miles of oil changes. 100 of them were less than $10 from Amazon.