Evening all and sorry for the stupid question. I did an oil change on my new to me 2012 Wide Glide today. I drained the oil and pulled the old filter off. I put a new filter on and put three quarts of oil in the bike and went for a test ride. Now the dipstick is showing about a quarter to a half inch above the full mark. Did I mess something up here?

 

Yup, 1/2 quart too much.
No biggy, pull the plug and drain a little,, mark it up to learning.

 

Use wifes turkey baster thru fill hole, a lot easier. she wont mind (much)

 

Well oops! Bought a baster on my way to dinner. I'll take some out when I get home. Thanks for the quick replies. At least now I can save money on that fourth quart of oil!

 

It happens

 

I do 6 to 7 services on the twin cams per year. Every single time the addition of three quarts puts the level right at full hot. Never more never less. That is on Dynas, Softails and Touring. They are at full temp, sitting upright and drain for 10 to 15 minutes. Every time time after time since 2010.

The M8 at two services so far is 4 quarts even.

 

It is 3 quarts. Service manual and owners manual even states 3 quarts. Maybe 2 1/2 if you don't change out your oil filter or let it completely drain.

 

X3, My Bo takes 3 after a thorough (upright) drain & filter change.

 

Huh... my owners's manual and my service manual must be full of mis-prints and errors, then

The OM clearly states on page 97:

7. Refer to table 22. Fill oil pan with the correct amount of oil. Use the proper grade of oil for the lowest temperature expected before the next oil change. Use 2.5 qt (2.4L) of engine oil for a capacity fill.

8. Check engine oil using cold check procedure.


That 3 quart engine oil capacity some of you are advocating is coming off of table 12, capacities. That number is for a dry engine fill; when you're changing the engine oil that's a wet refill; there is a difference

Take time to actually

HD has a dipstick for both engine and transmission; use them, that's what they're there for Don't think in terms of capacity, think in terms of filling to the stick. I don't have the first idea how much oil I use during an engine oil change, I trust the stick. I clean my PCS4C permanent oil filter, add enough oil for a middle of the stick level on a cold check and start the bike; I check it again the next morning cold, it hasn't been wrong, yet

 

From the Service manual;
A "wet" engine is one that has oil added to it once,,
A "dry" engine is one that's been just put together and never seen any oil.