Would like to know if anyone is have any oil consumption problems. Wife's 2013 1200 custom just used 1 qt to 2000 miles. Per Harley Technical support this is within the max limits of 1 qt to 1000 for a sportster. The rear cylinder did fail the leak down test so the rings were changed. Checked the oil today and after 250 miles the oil had dropped a little more than a 1/4 inch. No smoke noted from other riders during a 1,600 mile trip a week ago.

 

Wow, I never got any noticeable drop between changes on my 08 or 11. The ironhead I did but the oil could easily be found under where I usually park it

 

Are you sure you are measuring the oil correctly? The engine must be warm and check it right after you stop riding. Oil can leakdown into the engine while parked, some bikes more than others. If you checked it after sitting a day or two, it may have drained down and given you and incorrect level

John

 

Measure the right after riding, idle on the jiffy stand for about a minute then wait about a minute after shutting down. Temp is between 195 and 205

 

Wow! I don't even burn an eighth of a quart every 5K miles. I don't recall even my Shovelheads burning that much as the Sporty is. Unfortunately, If Harley says it is within specs they aren't going to help you it appears. Personally I think that oil consumption is way too much based on the year of the bike! You sure there are no leaks? Rocker box covers? Head or cylinder base gaskets? Excessive oil in the air filter? Oil filter on tight enough (don't laugh, I have seen this before)? I don't care, no one is going to convince me it is normal to burn 1 quart per 1000 miles. Not on a "new" harley.

The point is, if the engine is not burning it the oil then has to be leaking. It just doesn't evaporate.

 

I don't see any changes in oil level on my '11 Sporty. I measure about every week.

 

No leaks anywhere. Exhaust is normal, no excessive oil. Took it in around 4,500 for for using 1 qt in 3.5k, dealer changed the stator for a small leak, compression and leak down checks were good.

 

You broke it in wrong. Sounds like classic lugged the crap out of it glazed over cylinders to me during break in miles. A rehone and new rings followed by proper break in will fix it. 1 quart is well within spec at them miles, I am too lazy to dig my manual up but I am pretty sure it says 1 quart per 1,000 miles is within spec. They probably include a margin in there for engines not broke in proper.

You may just have to live with it. Feel sorry for the chap who rescues from garage life some day.

 

Easy fix, just run some Bon Ami into the carb. What could possibly go wrong?

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=3092898

John

 

I've had 4 bikes with the 1200 engine starting in 08 and currently have a 14 XL1200T. All used 1 qt. in the first 1,000 miles, 1/2 qt. in the next 1,000 miles and not any measurable amount after that between the 5K oil change interval.

Many others have had the same experience.

My break in involves 12 heat cycles prior to the first ride then 50 mph for the first 50 miles and not over 3K rpm for the first 1K miles. After that I still do a gradual increase in speeds until 3 K miles. I have broken in over 40 bikes in this manner. My dealer does not test ride any bike that I order per my instructions. They comply as they don't want to lose a customer that buys 2 new bikes/yr from them. I trailer it home and start the process.

A recent study by American Iron Magazine demonstrated that the gradual slow run in yields a bike that will last longer and run stronger than the "ride it like you stole it" method. A hard fast break in will yield a faster bike sooner but the slow method will in time out run the hard break in bike.

I recently traded in (rare for me as I usually keep all my HD's) a 2010 Superglide. The staff was amazed that my stock bike out ran the other used Dyna's that had Stage 1 upgrades and tune.