Oil change and level question - HELP!!!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
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RE: Oil change and level question - HELP!!!
Clammy I hope you also changed out your filter, if you did sorry for the mention but you didn't say, anyway if you didn't do that, there is the reason for the over fill, 3 qts. will do a softail with the filter just right, 3 1/2 qts and a filter is to much.
I noticed that the Amsoil gets pretty dirty looking also, but they say thats not a bad thing in a way, it's cleaning the engine of deposits and poss sluge[sm=goodidea.gif], so maybe were ok.
I noticed that the Amsoil gets pretty dirty looking also, but they say thats not a bad thing in a way, it's cleaning the engine of deposits and poss sluge[sm=goodidea.gif], so maybe were ok.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Central Virginia
RE: Oil change and level question - HELP!!!
Clammy - It seems to be a mystery most of us softail riders have experienced. At my first oil change I followed the service manuel and added 3.5 qts. I had to remove some due to my having over filled it. Plus, I didn't stand the bike upright to allow as much old oil as possible to drain from the oil tank.
Now, I add three qts. after replacing the filter.
BTW - Stop by your local supermarket and buy a cheap turkey baster. They work great to remove excess oil from the oil tank (fits into the fill opening perfectly) rather than removing the drain plug. (Guess how I know!)
Now, I add three qts. after replacing the filter.
BTW - Stop by your local supermarket and buy a cheap turkey baster. They work great to remove excess oil from the oil tank (fits into the fill opening perfectly) rather than removing the drain plug. (Guess how I know!)
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
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From: Ottawa, CANADA
RE: Oil change and level question - HELP!!!
ORIGINAL: Tn.Heritage
Clammy I hope you also changed out your filter, if you did sorry for the mention but you didn't say, anyway if you didn't do that, there is the reason for the over fill, 3 qts. will do a softail with the filter just right, 3 1/2 qts and a filter is to much.
I noticed that the Amsoil gets pretty dirty looking also, but they say thats not a bad thing in a way, it's cleaning the engine of deposits and poss sluge[sm=goodidea.gif], so maybe were ok.
Clammy I hope you also changed out your filter, if you did sorry for the mention but you didn't say, anyway if you didn't do that, there is the reason for the over fill, 3 qts. will do a softail with the filter just right, 3 1/2 qts and a filter is to much.
I noticed that the Amsoil gets pretty dirty looking also, but they say thats not a bad thing in a way, it's cleaning the engine of deposits and poss sluge[sm=goodidea.gif], so maybe were ok.
Cheers!
[sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif]
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
RE: Oil change and level question - HELP!!!
ORIGINAL: Jezcruzen
Clammy - It seems to be a mystery most of us softail riders have experienced. At my first oil change I followed the service manuel and added 3.5 qts. I had to remove some due to my having over filled it. Plus, I didn't stand the bike upright to allow as much old oil as possible to drain from the oil tank.
Now, I add three qts. after replacing the filter.
BTW - Stop by your local supermarket and buy a cheap turkey baster. They work great to remove excess oil from the oil tank (fits into the fill opening perfectly) rather than removing the drain plug. (Guess how I know!)
Clammy - It seems to be a mystery most of us softail riders have experienced. At my first oil change I followed the service manuel and added 3.5 qts. I had to remove some due to my having over filled it. Plus, I didn't stand the bike upright to allow as much old oil as possible to drain from the oil tank.
Now, I add three qts. after replacing the filter.
BTW - Stop by your local supermarket and buy a cheap turkey baster. They work great to remove excess oil from the oil tank (fits into the fill opening perfectly) rather than removing the drain plug. (Guess how I know!)
Cheers!
[sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif]
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 181
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RE: Oil change and level question - HELP!!!
After the first oil change, and siphoning half a quart out of the oil tank, I said "lesson learned". next oil change comes around and guess what - Darwinism prevailed and I stuffed 3.5 quarts into it again. And again, enjoyed the experience of removing excess oil from the oil tank.
What do they say, "it takes a person hearing something six time before it sinks in"!!!!
3 qts, 3 qts, 3 qts, 3 qts, 3 qts, 3 qts!
[sm=icon_cheers.gif]
What do they say, "it takes a person hearing something six time before it sinks in"!!!!
3 qts, 3 qts, 3 qts, 3 qts, 3 qts, 3 qts!
[sm=icon_cheers.gif]
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Joined: Jul 2006
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RE: Oil change and level question - HELP!!!
Clammy,
Same thing happened here. I changed the oil at 500 miles, went to add the 3.5 back that the manual said to do, but since it was my first time ever, I took it slow and checked after 2 quarts. To my surprise, I only had to add a 1/2 quart to it. I had no idea about standing the bike upright. I had asked a couple buddies about the difference in what the manual said to put in and what I had actually put in. The first question was "was the bike upright?" I just did the 1000 mile change tonight and drained it while upright. I checked it at a gradual pace. She took 3 quarts, I cranked 'er up, then added a 1/2 quart to top 'er off. BTW, do not check the level upright, check it while it's on the side stand (even says it on the dipstick).
Same thing happened here. I changed the oil at 500 miles, went to add the 3.5 back that the manual said to do, but since it was my first time ever, I took it slow and checked after 2 quarts. To my surprise, I only had to add a 1/2 quart to it. I had no idea about standing the bike upright. I had asked a couple buddies about the difference in what the manual said to put in and what I had actually put in. The first question was "was the bike upright?" I just did the 1000 mile change tonight and drained it while upright. I checked it at a gradual pace. She took 3 quarts, I cranked 'er up, then added a 1/2 quart to top 'er off. BTW, do not check the level upright, check it while it's on the side stand (even says it on the dipstick).
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RE: Oil change and level question - HELP!!!
ORIGINAL: Reino
As mentioned before the drain plug only drains the oil out of the oil tank. If you are fussy take the oil filter off, disconnect the srarkplug leads and hit the starter button for a few seconds until the oil stops spitting out. Makes a bit of a mess so hold a rag where the filter come out. I've done this a couple of times when I've changed from mineral to synthetic oil so I don't get too much contamination.
As mentioned before the drain plug only drains the oil out of the oil tank. If you are fussy take the oil filter off, disconnect the srarkplug leads and hit the starter button for a few seconds until the oil stops spitting out. Makes a bit of a mess so hold a rag where the filter come out. I've done this a couple of times when I've changed from mineral to synthetic oil so I don't get too much contamination.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,783
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From: Tasmania, Australia
RE: Oil change and level question - HELP!!!
ORIGINAL: 87lowrider
They sell oil purging systems for Harleys,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,i saw it on HDF.My friend bought the system & it works great.gets all the old oil out of your scoot.When your done you'll have 100% clean oil & your dip-stick will have a correct reading.It's a great & easy system
ORIGINAL: Reino
As mentioned before the drain plug only drains the oil out of the oil tank. If you are fussy take the oil filter off, disconnect the srarkplug leads and hit the starter button for a few seconds until the oil stops spitting out. Makes a bit of a mess so hold a rag where the filter come out. I've done this a couple of times when I've changed from mineral to synthetic oil so I don't get too much contamination.
As mentioned before the drain plug only drains the oil out of the oil tank. If you are fussy take the oil filter off, disconnect the srarkplug leads and hit the starter button for a few seconds until the oil stops spitting out. Makes a bit of a mess so hold a rag where the filter come out. I've done this a couple of times when I've changed from mineral to synthetic oil so I don't get too much contamination.
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RE: Oil change and level question - HELP!!!