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Oil light is on

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Old Oct 11, 2022 | 04:26 PM
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Default Oil light is on

I took a ride today after work for about an hour. When I pulled the bike into the shed I see the oil light is on. I couldn’t see it while riding in the day light because the light is pretty dim.
Anyway, the light stayed on even after I shut the bike off and restarted it.

I wasn’t riding hard but maybe what I call “spirited”. Pushing it around corners but nothing crazy. I was running about 85 on the highway for about 10 minutes and I revved her no higher than 4000 on the backroads when hitting the curves.

I changed the oil and filter less than 1000 miles ago. Checked the level and it’s about 3/4 the way up the dipstick just below full.
The filter I used was new but had been sitting in my Indy’s shop for a long time, possibly years. Could an old oil filter cause the light to come on?

It’s a 95 Dyna Convertible with around 16000 miles on the clock.
 
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Old Oct 11, 2022 | 04:43 PM
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Once my 93 reaches operating temp the oil light is always on at idle. I switched to running straight 50w and no change.
My oil pressure gauge also reads near zero at idle.
It’s been that way since I got it.
I have let it idle that way for as long as 10 minutes and it runs like a Swiss watch.
I’ve looked in the oil tank when it’s idling and the oil is returning to the tank.
I just ignore it now.
 

Last edited by IronAss; Oct 11, 2022 at 04:45 PM.
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Old Oct 11, 2022 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by IronAss
Once my 93 reaches operating temp the oil light is always on at idle. I switched to running straight 50w and no change.
My oil pressure gauge also reads near zero at idle.
It’s been that way since I got it.
I have let it idle that way for as long as 10 minutes and it runs like a Swiss watch.
I just ignore it now.
I think it depends where the gauge is mounted. The oil gauge on my Super Glide was on the rocker box and read zero at idle. The gauge on one of my other bikes was down lower on the motor and it showed pressure at idle.
 

Last edited by Bubba Zanetti; Oct 11, 2022 at 04:48 PM.
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Old Oct 11, 2022 | 05:03 PM
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In general, I think we worry too much about oil pressure on these bikes.

Next time it happens, blip the throttle a bit and see if the light goes out. I bet it does.
 
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Old Oct 11, 2022 | 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Bubba Zanetti;[url=tel:20871584
20871584]I think it depends where the gauge is mounted. The oil gauge on my Super Glide was on the rocker box and read zero at idle. The gauge on one of my other bikes was down lower on the motor and it showed pressure at idle.
Mine is down where the tappet screen is near the pump.
 
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Old Oct 11, 2022 | 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 0maha;[url=tel:20871594
20871594]In general, I think we worry too much about oil pressure on these bikes.

Next time it happens, blip the throttle a bit and see if the light goes out. I bet it does.
I agree.
 
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Old Oct 11, 2022 | 05:53 PM
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Don't worry, If you really run out of oil pressure, your tappets will let you now in a NY minute (and you can't miss that clatter.)
 
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Old Oct 11, 2022 | 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Bubba Zanetti
Anyway, the light stayed on even after I shut the bike off and restarted it.
The first time I read this I thought maybe you had a short to the oil lamp (If you shut the bike off and it's still lit).

carl
 
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Old Oct 12, 2022 | 04:56 AM
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The only time I even think about mine staying on now is if I ever decide to sell, it would more likely than not, scare off a potential buyer.
I would feel obligated to inform the person about it since in most cases a used bike purchase would be made after a cold start and mine needs to be ridden for at least 5 or 6 miles in summer temps before the light starts to flicker at idle.
I actually use the flickering oil pressure light to let me know when it's warm enough to start ripping should I decide I want to do that.
 
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Old Oct 12, 2022 | 08:17 AM
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Originally Posted by carlgrover
The first time I read this I thought maybe you had a short to the oil lamp (If you shut the bike off and it's still lit).

carl
I guess I could’ve worded it better.

To clarify, the light went off when I shut the bike off but came back on as soon as I started the bike again.
 
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