Checking my Dyna's oil
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
I just checked the oil level in my wife's 06 Street Bob.
I rode it around the block to warm it up. Then with the bike on the jiffy stand, I cleaned off the dipstick and screwed it back in. Only the tip of the dipstick barely shows a little oil on it. That is WAY too low. How does that happen? There are no signs of an oil leak. The last owner had the 1000 mi service done, and we're only at 2,300mi. Its too soon for a regular oil change.
Do these bikes 'use' oil and require having to add more regularly?
I rode it around the block to warm it up. Then with the bike on the jiffy stand, I cleaned off the dipstick and screwed it back in. Only the tip of the dipstick barely shows a little oil on it. That is WAY too low. How does that happen? There are no signs of an oil leak. The last owner had the 1000 mi service done, and we're only at 2,300mi. Its too soon for a regular oil change.
Do these bikes 'use' oil and require having to add more regularly?
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
same here on my 2008 fatbob. when i do my oil change i use 2.5 QUARTS of oil
and its perfect to the top line.i loose a square after 5000km...(3125 miles )
and its perfect to the top line.i loose a square after 5000km...(3125 miles )
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: N.H.
My dad always told me "when it stops dripping on the basement floor its time to add more."
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Just make sure it is rated for V-Twin motorcycles and not just car oil. The local Advance Auto should carry a couple brands, mine has Mobil and Valvoline V-Twin.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Stockton Ca.
Guys:
I glance at the oil dipstick before almost everytime I ride. Me thinks: Ok it's there and it's not too dirty is my general impression. (I get it changed every 2500). Just making sure it didnt all leak out or evaporate or something. LOL
But HOW do I do it correctly? You know, perform a perfect oil check. Never bothered to figure that one out. Bike straight up and down or leaning on jiffy stand? Bike hot or cold? Screw the dipstick in all the way in or not? Wipe it off, redip it and where should it be on the stick? Hellifiknow!
Any help would be appreciated.
Tony
I glance at the oil dipstick before almost everytime I ride. Me thinks: Ok it's there and it's not too dirty is my general impression. (I get it changed every 2500). Just making sure it didnt all leak out or evaporate or something. LOL
But HOW do I do it correctly? You know, perform a perfect oil check. Never bothered to figure that one out. Bike straight up and down or leaning on jiffy stand? Bike hot or cold? Screw the dipstick in all the way in or not? Wipe it off, redip it and where should it be on the stick? Hellifiknow!
Any help would be appreciated.
Tony
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 0
From: FLORIDA
Well checked mine after about a 15-20 mile ride tonight, 30 minutes after the ride and here it was
l
X X X X Xl X X
l
I've got a bit over 600 miles and I seemed to remember using a bit of oil in break in on all the new HD I have bought. Anyone had a different experience?
l
l
X X X X Xl X X
l
I've got a bit over 600 miles and I seemed to remember using a bit of oil in break in on all the new HD I have bought. Anyone had a different experience?
l
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 2
From: Rhode Island
I just push the button on the Harley Davidson electronic chrome LCD display dipstick prior & after each use & it tells me all I want to know about the oil level & oil temp! Its super acurate too!
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
From the owners manual for my 09 Dyna Low Rider:
Oil Level Cold Check
1. For preride inspection with the vehicle resting on the jiffy stand on level ground, unscrew and remove engine oil filler cap. Wipe off the dipstick and insert it back into the oil pan with the cap screwed completely into the fill spout.
2. Remove the dipstick and note the level of the oil. Oil level should register between the two marks on the dipstick. If oil level is at or below the lower arrow, add only enough oil to bring the level in the middle of the two marks on the dipstick. Note: Clean oil from the dipstick threads. If oil is present on threads it can weep past the dipstick o-ring. This condition may be incorrectly diagnosed as an oil leak.
Oil Level Hot Check
1. Ride motorcycle until engine is at normal operating temperature.
2. With the vehicle resting on the jiffy stand on level ground, allow engine to idle for 1-2 minutes. Turn engine off.
3. Remove and wipe off the dipstick. Insert it back with the cap screwed completely into the filler neck.
4. Remove the dipstick and note the level of the oil. Add only enough oil to bring the level to the full mark on the dipstick. Do not overfill. Use only recommended oil specified in maintenance and lubrication, engine lubrication.
5. Replace filler cap and screw in securely.
CAUTION: Oil level cannot be acccurately measured on a cold engine. For pre-ride inspection with motorcycle leaning on jiffy stand on level ground, oil should register on dipstick between arrows when engine is cold. Do not add oil to bring the level to the full mark on a cold engine.
Oil Level Cold Check
1. For preride inspection with the vehicle resting on the jiffy stand on level ground, unscrew and remove engine oil filler cap. Wipe off the dipstick and insert it back into the oil pan with the cap screwed completely into the fill spout.
2. Remove the dipstick and note the level of the oil. Oil level should register between the two marks on the dipstick. If oil level is at or below the lower arrow, add only enough oil to bring the level in the middle of the two marks on the dipstick. Note: Clean oil from the dipstick threads. If oil is present on threads it can weep past the dipstick o-ring. This condition may be incorrectly diagnosed as an oil leak.
Oil Level Hot Check
1. Ride motorcycle until engine is at normal operating temperature.
2. With the vehicle resting on the jiffy stand on level ground, allow engine to idle for 1-2 minutes. Turn engine off.
3. Remove and wipe off the dipstick. Insert it back with the cap screwed completely into the filler neck.
4. Remove the dipstick and note the level of the oil. Add only enough oil to bring the level to the full mark on the dipstick. Do not overfill. Use only recommended oil specified in maintenance and lubrication, engine lubrication.
5. Replace filler cap and screw in securely.
CAUTION: Oil level cannot be acccurately measured on a cold engine. For pre-ride inspection with motorcycle leaning on jiffy stand on level ground, oil should register on dipstick between arrows when engine is cold. Do not add oil to bring the level to the full mark on a cold engine.
Before I took my bike to the mechanic last weekend I did a cold check and it was past the full mark, and the cleaner was spitting out oil. It was part of the reason why i took it in for an oil change, I wanted to make sure it was spitting out oil because there was too much in it, and not something else. At the same time it was due for an oil change anyway.
The thing I'm puzzled by is:
After the oil change by my mechanic, here is the result:
Cold check: Oil is at the FULL mark on the dipstick AGAIN(!!!!).
I cheated on the warm check, and skipped #1 above. I just let it idle for 2 minutes. Didn't have time to ride it today. The Semi-warm check result: Dipstick had oil between the bottom mark and the halfway mark (oil on first 2-3 "X"s).
What gives? Oil at the FULL mark on a cold check, and the opposite on a "semi" warm check ( which I admittedly didn't follow to the letter)?! Even with only 2-3 minutes at idle I would think it would go higher than the first 2-3 X's.
Im quite confused as the dipstick seems to be telling me the opposite of what I would expect from reading the manual.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,566
Likes: 85
From: Calgary
+ 1...unless the batterie dies.