15' Ultra Limited - Just had service done at dealer so I thought I would check the fluid levels after 500 mi. Manual says on a cold check, bike on jiffy, oil should be between low and full. Mine was at the full line cold. So I decided to do a hot check, rode 30 min, let her idle for a few minutes, oil level was perfectly at the full hot line. What gives….how can that be?

 

I think it boils down to a lot of silliness to just how much heat it takes to make it expand. Also, nearly all these bikes throw a little oil into the breather and it gives the mother ship something to blame it on hoping you will get over it.. It will expand slightly when it 99 degree out and you just pulled over after doing 75 for an hour but not a lot. I always run mine up near the top but I do check it hot. Mine will actually drain a little in the sump but my oil bag is above engine. I would not idle it to make it hot. It's a good chance dealer probably also checked it level. Not sure why Harley come up with this stand nonsense other then the lawyers made them do it and calibrate the stick I guess.

 

Sounds to me that your bike is within spec! Now if you want to understand the oiling system on a modern Harley you better have a degree in engineering.....

 

I agree, I understand the hot check is more accurate as it ensures the oil is pumped to the oil tank. Your bike may not have leaked down on the cold test so the oil was still on the full mark, the main thing as I understand is to not overfill causing excess oil to increase pressure, or ingest to the intake.