Checking oil
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 112
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From: blue ridge mountains
Checking oil
I'm sure this has been discussed but I'm pretty new so please humor me. Any time I check the oil on my '19 flhc 107 hot, or cold, it's at the same level. No difference in level between the two check methods. I've been running it at the half way mark on the stick fill range. Is this normal, and is half way sufficient for a full hot check? It never reaches the full hot mark. Thanks!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 3,392
From: Seattle
That's odd, but if it reads at halfway when cold, then you're fine.
My bike I do cold check after going for a 10~20 minute ride and then parking on the flat walkway infront of my apartment complex for like an hour or 2.
I do a hot check after going for an hour+ ride and parking at the groccery store, turn off the bike, go grab a soda then come back at take a look at the dipstick.
There's a difference between the two for sure in my bike.
But as long as your oil is actually registering on the lowest dipstick's circle marks, you're fine.
My bike I do cold check after going for a 10~20 minute ride and then parking on the flat walkway infront of my apartment complex for like an hour or 2.
I do a hot check after going for an hour+ ride and parking at the groccery store, turn off the bike, go grab a soda then come back at take a look at the dipstick.
There's a difference between the two for sure in my bike.
But as long as your oil is actually registering on the lowest dipstick's circle marks, you're fine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,642
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From: Cleveland Zoo
I'm sure this has been discussed but I'm pretty new so please humor me. Any time I check the oil on my '19 flhc 107 hot, or cold, it's at the same level. No difference in level between the two check methods. I've been running it at the half way mark on the stick fill range. Is this normal, and is half way sufficient for a full hot check? It never reaches the full hot mark. Thanks!
Running oil at this level keeps my air cleaner oil free is a plus and no downside that I know of.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,523
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From: Honah Lee
I have never seen a whole lot of difference. Could be I don't run in the really hot places.
When it's hot and just been ran, I top it off to the top mark. Never fretted with adding any oil between changes . The vents are in the heads.
You can't overfill a modern Harley if you do it correctly and can safely run it with oil at the top mark on the stick just as easily as the middle.
Long ago on mine, I know how much oil it takes to get it that way since I change my own.
It's silly to run around with the stick not topped off to full mark. At that level, it does not affect vent gas. The return side of the oil pump is much bigger than the pressure side. So no more oil stays in the sump at mid-stick or at the top mark of the stick.
All Harleys vent a little fume vapor into the air box. Especially if you hit the rev-limiter and such. Hurts nothing. The actual oil you see in the air box is from it settling in the lines and running down when it sets. Only a little vapor actually enters when it runs. And little is actually drawn into the throttle body. You don't even see it on the front side of the butterfly. What's behind the throttle butterfly is dried fuel from that last shot of fuel from injectors that does not get used in the engine every time you turn it off.
And now it's time for the external vent crew's turn to save the world!
When it's hot and just been ran, I top it off to the top mark. Never fretted with adding any oil between changes . The vents are in the heads.
You can't overfill a modern Harley if you do it correctly and can safely run it with oil at the top mark on the stick just as easily as the middle.
Long ago on mine, I know how much oil it takes to get it that way since I change my own.
It's silly to run around with the stick not topped off to full mark. At that level, it does not affect vent gas. The return side of the oil pump is much bigger than the pressure side. So no more oil stays in the sump at mid-stick or at the top mark of the stick.
All Harleys vent a little fume vapor into the air box. Especially if you hit the rev-limiter and such. Hurts nothing. The actual oil you see in the air box is from it settling in the lines and running down when it sets. Only a little vapor actually enters when it runs. And little is actually drawn into the throttle body. You don't even see it on the front side of the butterfly. What's behind the throttle butterfly is dried fuel from that last shot of fuel from injectors that does not get used in the engine every time you turn it off.
And now it's time for the external vent crew's turn to save the world!
Last edited by Jackie Paper; May 10, 2023 at 08:29 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: England
Cold oil check
Place vehicle on level ground resting on the jiffy stand.
NOTE
Oil level on a cold engine should never be above the midway point.
See Figure 1. Check engine oil level.
Remove filler plug/dipstick.
Wipe off the dipstick.
Insert the dipstick and tighten into the fill spout.
Remove filler plug/dipstick.
See Figure 2. Check oil level. The correct cold oil level is midway (2) between the ADD QT (1) and FULL HOT (3) marks on the dipstick.
If oil level is at or below the ADD QT mark, add only enough oil to bring the level to the ADD QT mark.
Start and idle engine on jiffy stand for two minutes. Turn off engine.
Check oil level. Add only enough to bring level midway between the ADD QT (1) and FULL HOT (3).
Hot oil check
Ride motorcycle until engine oil reaches at least 93 °C (200 °F) or higher.
Allow engine to idle for 1-2 minutes on jiffy stand. Turn off engine.
See Figure 1. Check oil level.
Remove filler plug/dipstick.
Wipe off the dipstick.
Insert the dipstick and tighten into the fill spout.
Remove filler plug/dipstick.
See Figure 2. Check oil level. Oil level must register between the ADD QT and FULL HOT marks on the dipstick.
If oil level is at or below the ADD QT mark, add only enough oil to bring the level to the FULL HOT mark. Do not overfill.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,321
Likes: 1,884
I find it takes 4.5 quarts at time of change. This puts me at 1/2 way on the dip stick. Very very little oil in my a-c stock breather system. I use little to no oil in between ( never have to add) changing at 3k. I run mineral oil, v-r1. I check it cold same spot same results 1/2 way on dip stick. If you run it to the full mark you risk more chances of carbon build up that is a problem with all Hd motors I believe.Some puke more than others. I am not saying that is the only problem that causes carbon build up. I have ran it at the full mark and had no problems but 1/2 way is were I run it. Checking it cold if you don’t have any problems is the way to keep it simple!
Last edited by Durham man; May 10, 2023 at 05:30 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3,315
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From: Masshole
FYI, if it didn't come with an owners manual, they are free on Harleys website: https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson....cle/lookupForm
Enjoy your new bike!
