Oil dipstick
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 250
Likes: 89
From: SWFL
Oil dipstick
Been having trouble finding the proper amount of oil to maintain in the tank, amplified by the fact that I am drip leaking a bit, and probably burning some due to needing a top end rebuild. It is the dipstick that has been messing with me. First, the cold full level is like 1.5" below the hot full level. This doesn't make sense to me. I have been checking it hot when I gas up, and seeing it well below the hot level mark, so I add a little. Bike is running well, but I have oil on the right side of the transmission, coming I think from the crankcase breather hose.
Then it hits me. Is this even the right dipstick? And as a side note, why in hell is it black? Seems like a poor choice to be able to see black oil? Maybe I am not low after all, and am gauging against the wrong measuring stick? Maybe what is spraying out all over everything is from there being too much oil?
So, being on the road, how do we tell if it is the right stick or not? I have the parts manual, but it is not detailed enough to tell.
Then it hits me. Is this even the right dipstick? And as a side note, why in hell is it black? Seems like a poor choice to be able to see black oil? Maybe I am not low after all, and am gauging against the wrong measuring stick? Maybe what is spraying out all over everything is from there being too much oil?
So, being on the road, how do we tell if it is the right stick or not? I have the parts manual, but it is not detailed enough to tell.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 64
Likes: 70
From: Eastern Ontario
The best time to check oil in a softail is hot, motor off, but with the Dyna it's best to check when dead cold. My Dyna parks in the same spot in the garage every day so I check oil while on the side stand before heading out, this gives me a perfectly consistent measurement. I pull out the stick, wipe it off and dip it again and look for the level dead even between full and add on the cold scale. My bike uses about a half quart in 5000 Km so any unusual usage is easy to see if you check half *** regular. I don't pay any attention to the "hot" scale on the stick.
Gene
Gene
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,072
Likes: 1,727
From: Dallas, Texas
It's time for you to learn how to look up Harley Parts. Go to HD website and click on PARTS. When the parts screen drops down, look to the far right for OEM PARTS SEARCH and click it. Put in your bike info and search the category ya need and BOOM there they are. The parts are listed by name and number. Then compare yer questionable part with what ya see as the correct part.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,250
Likes: 3,679
From: backwoods
Some machines are like you say. I sharpie a note. Not on bikes.
The best time to check oil in a softail is hot, motor off, but with the Dyna it's best to check when dead cold. My Dyna parks in the same spot in the garage every day so I check oil while on the side stand before heading out, this gives me a perfectly consistent measurement. I pull out the stick, wipe it off and dip it again and look for the level dead even between full and add on the cold scale. My bike uses about a half quart in 5000 Km so any unusual usage is easy to see if you check half *** regular. I don't pay any attention to the "hot" scale on the stick.
Gene
Gene
My first Harley I had to check engine hot, which is correct. Now I just check half quart cold. Pull out and stick back in.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 932
Likes: 592
From: Connecticut
Ah speaking of dipslicks.
Pretty sure we're talking Dyna's there slick.
Pretty sure we're talking Dyna's there slick.
Last edited by Trumpet; Jun 8, 2025 at 02:05 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 250
Likes: 89
From: SWFL
Yeah, I know how to check parts numbers Texas, thanks. I have the book, the HD SIP, and Ronnie's microfiche on tap. It isn't helping, and that isn't my question. But thanks again for playing.
I am down to thinking this is not the correct filler cap/dipstick, but how do we know for sure? That is the question. Are there part numbers on dipsticks? Can you tell by looking at the parts manuals or online sources? I sure can't.
Good to know that checking Dyna oil cold is best, so that at least is helpful. But, if the stick is the wrong one, as I suspect, what good is it really?
Does anyone have anything useful regarding how to know?
At least if the oil on the side of the motor is from overfill, it takes some pressure off worrying something more sinister is amiss. I have ridden 2000 miles in 5 days, so things are trending toward not as bad as I may have thought in the beginning. But, I would like to know the correct stick is in there.
I am down to thinking this is not the correct filler cap/dipstick, but how do we know for sure? That is the question. Are there part numbers on dipsticks? Can you tell by looking at the parts manuals or online sources? I sure can't.
Good to know that checking Dyna oil cold is best, so that at least is helpful. But, if the stick is the wrong one, as I suspect, what good is it really?
Does anyone have anything useful regarding how to know?
At least if the oil on the side of the motor is from overfill, it takes some pressure off worrying something more sinister is amiss. I have ridden 2000 miles in 5 days, so things are trending toward not as bad as I may have thought in the beginning. But, I would like to know the correct stick is in there.
Last edited by randallissimo; Jun 8, 2025 at 08:26 PM.
