Yet another motor oil change ?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,758
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
It's gravity baby,
What they're saying is a normally full oil reservoir or normally full engine oil has too much oil, the oil vapors reach the vent's easier when completely full.
Many here advocate running engine oil lower then spec full to avoid excess venting.
Believe that,, what they're saying is the factory want's you to use more/too much oil,, when the average bike owner knows it's better to run it low.
I vent outside into a small filter with one of the available kit's, I don't worry about it and keep my oil full.
What they're saying is a normally full oil reservoir or normally full engine oil has too much oil, the oil vapors reach the vent's easier when completely full.
Many here advocate running engine oil lower then spec full to avoid excess venting.
Believe that,, what they're saying is the factory want's you to use more/too much oil,, when the average bike owner knows it's better to run it low.
I vent outside into a small filter with one of the available kit's, I don't worry about it and keep my oil full.
It's perfectly spelled out in both the SM and the owners manuals.Right from the SM and owners manuals:
CAUTION
"Do not overfill the oil tank. Doing so can result in oil carryover to the air cleaner leading to equipment damage and/or equipment malfunction."
"Refer to table 25 . Always use the proper grade of oil for the lowest expected air temperature before the next scheduled oil change."
"Do not overfill the oil tank. Doing so can result in oil carryover to the air cleaner leading to equipment damage and/or equipment malfunction."
"Refer to table 25 . Always use the proper grade of oil for the lowest expected air temperature before the next scheduled oil change."
Now, what's the correct oil level?
Oil Level Cold Check -
"The correct oil level should register midway between the FULL and ADD marks on the dipstick.
If oil level is at or below the ADD mark, add only enough oil to bring the level to the middle of the two marks on the dipstick."
"The correct oil level should register midway between the FULL and ADD marks on the dipstick.
If oil level is at or below the ADD mark, add only enough oil to bring the level to the middle of the two marks on the dipstick."
Now, what's the correct viscosity?
Straight weight oils in higher temperatures; lots of good info in the SM and the owners manual
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 273
From: Minnesota
I'm fully aware of oil viscosity, the SM and the repair manual advice and instructions and how much to add during an oil change.
Many-Many here advise to disregard that info and run a full half quart low.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
2qts 3oz is what it takes to fill it to the top mark after I let it drain. The dipstick level seems to stay the same warm or cold. This is my 3rd HD and the oil level never fluctuate much on any of em....weird huhh.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,758
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
Not really, the predominate advice on this forum is to have the oil level under the full mark on the dip stick when the engine is hot (normal checking) by a half a quart.
I'm fully aware of oil viscosity, the SM and the repair manual advice and instructions and how much to add during an oil change.
Many-Many here advise to disregard that info and run a full half quart low.
I'm fully aware of oil viscosity, the SM and the repair manual advice and instructions and how much to add during an oil change.
Many-Many here advise to disregard that info and run a full half quart low.
I can't disagree with you at all; the idea of running 16 ounces low doesn't make me comfortable either.
I still don't understand the whole oil 'capacity' notion, talking in quarts and ounces on an HD. You fill to the stick, it's actually there for a reason
I have no idea what my engine oil changes are as far as capacity, I trust the stick. The oil cooler and the oil filter relocation don't drain during an engine oil change but I do remove the PCS4C permanent oil filter to clean it.My capacity would by necessity be different due to the permanent filter; it has no paper to absorb oil. I fill to 3.5 hash marks on the stick during the fill and then start the bike and take her out for a jaunt. Next morning I check the level cold and it's always just under the midway point on the stick; perfect. How much though? I dunno, I've always got an open bottle of SAE 50 VR1 when I'm done, ready for the next oil change
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8,680
Likes: 2,279
From: South Carolina
I always add enough to register just barely half on the dipstick then go for short ride and come back and check it again. Never let it get all the way full or you will just be pushing oil out the blow hole(s)
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