96 EVO 80 using oil
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2025
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Likes: 87
From: SWFL
96 EVO 80 using oil
42K miles. This bike runs great, although it doesn't pull for ****. Rode 4.5K miles in June on a round trip from Florida to Maine without much issue. Except that it uses oil, maybe a quart every 1000 miles or something like it. It doesn't leak, doesn't smoke, and doesn't have the power it should I don't think. Whenever I check the oil it is on the low side. I add some, but don't want to mistakenly overfill, so I go easy when I do. I check it cold and hot, it always looks low. And black, too. I can change the oil and it will be black in two days. My rebuilt 95 EVO 1250 Sporty oil looks clean for quite a while.
It has an Andrews cam, I assume no. 27 based on what was the thing to do back in the 90s, meaning the valve springs were probably not changed. Also has Screaming Eagle baloney slash pipes, and some sort of intake set up built around a K&N round filter and the stock cover, which I like.
Compression sits at 135 and 137 psi Everything I read says 150 psi or more is what you want, the manual says over 90 is considered normal. Haven't done a leak down test yet, but I plan to.
So, what am I looking at here? Maybe time for a valve job?
It has an Andrews cam, I assume no. 27 based on what was the thing to do back in the 90s, meaning the valve springs were probably not changed. Also has Screaming Eagle baloney slash pipes, and some sort of intake set up built around a K&N round filter and the stock cover, which I like.
Compression sits at 135 and 137 psi Everything I read says 150 psi or more is what you want, the manual says over 90 is considered normal. Haven't done a leak down test yet, but I plan to.
So, what am I looking at here? Maybe time for a valve job?
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Joined: May 2008
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From: South Carolina
What model bike?
If you are overfilling the oil tank the excess oil will blow out the breather until it reaches it`s proper level.
Oil color is not a good way to determine an engines condition.
Those compression test numbers are not terrible.
Keep in mind compression tests and leakdown tests only show what the engine is doing when it is not running, the compression may be fine when the engine is running.
If you don`t hear any leakage past the valves when you do the leakdown test, I suggest you keep riding it.
However, if you decide to tear the engine down, a reputable Harley machinist can evaluate your components and tell you what you need.
If you are overfilling the oil tank the excess oil will blow out the breather until it reaches it`s proper level.
Oil color is not a good way to determine an engines condition.
Those compression test numbers are not terrible.
Keep in mind compression tests and leakdown tests only show what the engine is doing when it is not running, the compression may be fine when the engine is running.
If you don`t hear any leakage past the valves when you do the leakdown test, I suggest you keep riding it.
However, if you decide to tear the engine down, a reputable Harley machinist can evaluate your components and tell you what you need.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Aug 26, 2025 at 03:50 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 750
Likes: 359
From: Winnipeg
If youre not burning it (it will show on your plugs after a while)- you are either blowing it out your breather- or it could be migrating to your primary.
next time you think its low- pull off your derby cover, and see if its overfull.
If it is- now you know where your oil is going...
next time you think its low- pull off your derby cover, and see if its overfull.
If it is- now you know where your oil is going...
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2025
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From: SWFL
Good points.
Breather hose goes to ground, but I don't see evidence of much oil spray. Pretty sure if it was going in the primary, I'd have seen it by now since I have been in there replacing the clutch not too long ago. And it would have to explain for a lot of oil given how much it disappears.
Bike is a 96 Dyna FXD 80
Breather hose goes to ground, but I don't see evidence of much oil spray. Pretty sure if it was going in the primary, I'd have seen it by now since I have been in there replacing the clutch not too long ago. And it would have to explain for a lot of oil given how much it disappears.
Bike is a 96 Dyna FXD 80
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,499
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From: Long Island, New York
My 1997 Dyna Wide Glide with +40k miles does the same thing with the black oil. I can change it with new filter, within 500 miles it is black again. I theorize the rings might be getting old etc. But I do not have oil loss issues nor does she blow smoke. With the Andrews EV27 cam and a Mikuni, she is a real ripper even with my (gasp) drag pipes!!!!
I have spoken to several real mechanics about the black oil, they all tell me to leave her alone if she is running well, which she is and plugs are perfect. Good luck to all of us.
I have spoken to several real mechanics about the black oil, they all tell me to leave her alone if she is running well, which she is and plugs are perfect. Good luck to all of us.
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