I changed the oil and filter last year at the end of the season and have put on a few miles this year. I checked my oil level cold, and it was way too high. I drained some out to get it down so that it checked about half way between hot and add a quart like the manual says. After going for a 10 minute ride, I checked it again and instead of it going up to the full hot level, it went down to just above add a quart. What happened?

 

This just isn't that hard to get right. Don't try guessing at how many ounces to add. Fill to the line. That's all.

 

When you change the oil filter, you should put about 7 ozs. of oil in the new filter before you install it. Also remember the Harley has a "sump" in the botton for the engine. If your spring is week, oil can gather in the sump giving you a false reading on the dip stick.

 

Agreed that it shouldn't be. I guess my question is how can it be half way up the stick (full cold) and then after it gets warm, it goes down to almost add a quart when it should go the other way up to full hot?

 

Maybe things have changed on newer bikes, but the manual for 2002 Fatboy says to check oil with the bike straight up......not on the Jiffy Stand.

 

Yeah. this one even says to check on jiffy stand right on the dipstick.

 

What do you ride?

 

09 Superglide Custom

 

the service manual states that it takes 2 1/2 qts wet and 3 qts dry. when i change mine i put some in the filter and add about 2 1/4 qts and then check after letting it run. after a few oil changes you just about know how much to put in without overfilling it. i had the same problem the first time around. later

 

I didn't think oil was suposed to be checked cold.