Check your engine oil...
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 659
Likes: 2
From: Lansing
I know this sounds like a honda rider comment, but I check mine cold cause the damn dipstick is right in a hot spot. I would love to see harley put a nice dipstick in standard equip. I would like a hex in it like the tranny. Then if you want to check it hot you could grab it with you fingertips without burning the **** out of your knuckles.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
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....
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....
Cunsult your owners manual for your year and model bike.
I used to have a list, but that's on my other computer, if I still have it (I am on the road for work).
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
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.
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.
I see it enough to say with honesty that the Softails are prone to do that.
Possibly because of where the oil tank is mounted. My last one had it much worse than my current one.
I see it often enough in Softails to never trust a cold reading, regardless of what the previous days hot reading was. I measure my oil hot and only hot.
I get my ***** busted for saying so, but I am here to post my honest opinion (based on my observations and experiences).
I am not here to post only what others prefer to hear. I save that for church.
Yes, it's winter and the misinformation you speak of is plentiful as of late.
"....as long as there is a drop on the end of your stick, you are good to go.....". LOL
While it ain't "rocket science", lubricating your air cooled motor should be taken serious.
These puppies get hot, and some of them take a beatin'.
.
Last edited by Faast Ed; Nov 30, 2009 at 08:12 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,763
Likes: 371
From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
Checked my oil yesterday before riding, could barely see oil on dipstick. It took 3/4 of a quart of oil to get it to middle of dipstick. Scared the heck out of me. I had not checked it since 1000 mile service. I now have a little over 5000 miles on it. Bike runs good so I guess I did not hurt anything. I will be checking oil before every ride now...
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
From: ATL Gawga
check mine before every ride
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 786
Likes: 1
From: Sheridan, AR
+1 Been there done that!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 6
From: Michigan
As for frequency, I check it every second or third gas fill up just cuz it's easy enough to do, and better to often than not enough. If she's been sitting for a while, or I think for one reason or another I don't have proper oil flow, I check it with it running, If I see foam on the stick, I know oil is circulating.
Hot I like it in the middle of the hash marks.
cold, as long as shows on the stick. (Since we swatted the ball on my oil pump, it don't all drain into the lower half if it sits for a few days LOL)
Hot I like it in the middle of the hash marks.
cold, as long as shows on the stick. (Since we swatted the ball on my oil pump, it don't all drain into the lower half if it sits for a few days LOL)