That's thinking with your dipstick, Jimmy!

 

Shoot out of your breathers, for one.

 

Lots of ?'s, and lots o' misinformation, in the air.

First of all, "wet-sumping", oil 'seeping' into the lower end, whilst parked, IS NOT a softtail issue. It CAN BE an "any Harley" issue. It is oil seeping past the ball check in the oil pump, and then eventually ending up, in the lower end. Some, way worse, than others, BUT nothing to 'bout. IF you know you are experiencing this phenom, start the scoot, and run it a bit, BEFORE checking your oil. This will 'pump' that 'lost' oil, back into the tank, so you don't end up, overfilled !!!!
The "fix"?? Remove check ball, buy "2" new ones. Stick one of them, to a welding rod (just arc "live" rod to the ball), then use lapping compound, to "lap" the seat, in the oil pump. CLEAN ALL the lapping compound out, ALL OF IT !!!!!!!, then insert the "other" new ball check, GTG.

AS OFG posted, check your oil as per your manual, THEN check it in the morning, cold, on the kick stand, THAT is YOUR level, cold, on the kick stand. Sorta a "no brainer", there, folx.

What happens IF I run it 'low'???
Uhhhh, NOTHING(unless you mean M.T., is "low").
Harleys are "dry sumpers". As such, they DO NOT have a clue, whether they are sucking oil from and returning it to, a Harley oil tank, or a SOOOPER tanker.
WHAT it 'does' affect, is the temperature of the oil. The FASTER the turnover in the oil tank, the LESS time, the oil is in there, to cool down. For "most" Harleys, THIS IS, the oil cooler. What's "TOO HOT" ???? Depends on your oil. Do some research, for YOUR chosen, brand. They ALL have a 'break down' point(temp).

Some of you have learned, to keep the level down a bit, to prevent 'carryover'. MY theory on this, is the oil covers the vent in the tank, and oil will end up being 'pushed' into the breather system, because the 'vent path' is restricted. BUT that's MY theory.

Change it HOT, well, actually 'warm'.
IF you are "****", disconnect the return line from the pump to the tank, put a chunk of 3/8" hose on the pump. AFTER you have put in the fresh oil, roll/run the motor, til you get CLEAN oil out that hose. NOW you have removed ALL the oldt oil. LOTTA "F"ing 'round, tho !!!!! BUT, like I said, IF you are ****, THIS IS your procedure !!!!

Oil actually serves 3 functions, it cools, seals, AND lubricates.

Personally, I use the dipstix with the "thermo-nometer". I can glance down, and see it, whilst 'on the road'. Same with the earl pressure.

NOW, you's gize, can do the HAGGLING over 'which earl is betta'.

 

congratulations, you have just voided your warranty.

 

Erl? Why erl is erl. I did put synthetic lubricant in my bike but erl is erl as fur as I know.

 

Just be sure to check your manual and see HOW you are suppose to check the engine oil level.

For example;

On Dyna's; you check the fluid level with the bike 'leaning' on it's kickstand.

On Softail's; you check the fluid level holding the bike in an upright position, NOT leaning on the kickstand.

Etc., Etc....

 

Good call Gump.....Nothing like startin the Shov up after sittin awhile and watchin 1/2 qt pour out the breather onto the floor,learnd real quick ta put a pan under it before startin after sittin for a week or so hahaha...Allways carried a qt or two on the shov.....

As far as the new bikes,Hmmmm check oil what a novel idea....

 

"Bout 2 years ago, had a guy stop in here, he lived 5 or 6 miles away.
Said he had his FIL's '89 FLHTC, with a fairly fresh 96" kit, in it, for sale, would I be interested.
Only wanted $4600. HUH !?!?!?!
SURE, WTH is wrong with it ????
He said, that since Dad died, they wanted to keep it, and ride it, but that when they went to start it, oil poured out of the bottom of the motor.

Well, they had been starting it, twice a year, for 3 years, to keep oil 'internally', BUT would put a BIG cookie sheet under it, to catch all the earl.
They didn't have the $$ to "fix the motor", as it cost Dad, over $2000, the FIRST time !!! .

Took some of my tools down there, 1/2 a day, several cups of coffee, and they are STILL running 'round on that FUGLY 2 tone red, bagger.
NOW, had it been that 'police' dark blue, or black,..................... .

 

My service manual says to "Check engine oil level as part of the pre-ride inspection". Then, right under that, the procedure starts with "Ride motorcycle until engine is up to operating temperature". Seems to me that pre-ride things would be things you do before riding.

 

Bwahahahahahahaha



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