Dip Stick Help!
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: central NC
Classic harley confusion from a dry sump system. I Just add oil and when it gets real hot pull the dipstick out and check it. I use a turkey baster to suck it down to were the oil is about 2 inches or so from the top. If it dribbles out the top going down the road I draw a little more off until it dosent dribble on a long hot ride.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Johannesburg, South Africa
This confuses me as well. My manual clearly says I must check with the bike upright, and engine hot. However, I find I get better results by checking it cold, with the bike on the side stand, and only filling up to the bottom mark, or a little over. Any more than that and she blows oil out of the air filter.
Cheers
KC
Cheers
KC
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 601
Likes: 6
From: Aruba
I recently purchased a used 04 Fatboy. It has the temp gauge dip stick. I checked the cold level this morning before a ride and it was barely touching the dip stock. Added about a half quart and the level was about 1/2 inch below the upper marker. About 2 hours after returning home, after about a 200 mile ride, I checked again and it was up to the bottom of the rubber seal of the dip stick. I was like what the? So I have siphoned off pretty much all I added and am waiting for it to cool completely overnight.
Will have to top up before tomorrow's ride. So from what I can gather here, check the level cold and on the jiffy stand and to confirm - the oil level should be half way between the lower and upper marks? Definitely don't want too much oil... any advice is welcome.
Will have to top up before tomorrow's ride. So from what I can gather here, check the level cold and on the jiffy stand and to confirm - the oil level should be half way between the lower and upper marks? Definitely don't want too much oil... any advice is welcome.
* Check the oil with the engine at operating temperature and the bike upright (not on the jiffy stand).
* Oil expands as it warms up so if you check or fill it cold, you will have too much oil.
* Most dipsticks do not have a full mark. They only have an add level which indicates oil needs to be added if it is below the mark.
* Oil tank needs air space or you will blow oil out the crankcase breathers.
* Most tanks require 3 quarts of oil on a complete change including the filter. If you scavenge the lines, then it will take more.
* A little too much oil is worse than being a little short.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 701
Likes: 1
From: The Great Southwest Desert
My manuals (1996 FLHTCU) state check on jiffy stand cold or hot. My stick is completely different and has full cold and hot marks well labeled, as well as an add mark. The Tranny needs to be checked with the bike level.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Maricopa, CA
I recently purchased a used 04 Fatboy. It has the temp gauge dip stick. I checked the cold level this morning before a ride and it was barely touching the dip stock. Added about a half quart and the level was about 1/2 inch below the upper marker. About 2 hours after returning home, after about a 200 mile ride, I checked again and it was up to the bottom of the rubber seal of the dip stick. I was like what the? So I have siphoned off pretty much all I added and am waiting for it to cool completely overnight.
Will have to top up before tomorrow's ride. So from what I can gather here, check the level cold and on the jiffy stand and to confirm - the oil level should be half way between the lower and upper marks? Definitely don't want too much oil... any advice is welcome.
Will have to top up before tomorrow's ride. So from what I can gather here, check the level cold and on the jiffy stand and to confirm - the oil level should be half way between the lower and upper marks? Definitely don't want too much oil... any advice is welcome.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 20,955
Likes: 12,473
From: South Carolina
No need to check it hot or standing up or any of the other crazy crap that some people think you need to do...."it ain't the space shuttle"
The reason to check when hot is because that is when the oil has been scavenged up into the tank (we do the same on jet engines, check within 15 minutes after shutdown).
Oh, by the way, the space shuttle engines do not use oil…
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Wow, it's amazing how many different views there are. My dipstick has cold and hot marks on it. My HD Service manual says to check on jiffy stand. It also says to check the tranny fluid when the bike is hot and on the jiffy stand. The primary fluid says to check cold and upright. Logic tells me that you would check at least the oil on the jiffy stand because this is a very routine maintenance procedure that you should do frequently and having to level the bike would require a stand or two people.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: central NC
The problem with checking oils on a side stand is the variance in lean angles of bikes. With my bike lowered it is almost straight up and down. When it is raised up it leans a bit. I have friends with bikes that lean alot when on the stand and that can change oil levels on the dipstick alot. For the most part all bikes should be about the same when checked in the upright position.
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