Oil levels
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,272
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From: Shamokin, PA
Oil levels
When do you guys check your oil level? I road my bike today then came home waited 15 minutes and checked. It was 1/2 way between full and fill. Just want to know if that's too long a wait and if I should check immediately after riding or not.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: "In a blaze of glory"
You should of let it idle for a minute and turn it off. Then if you can check it with the bike upright not on the jiffy stand. This is the most accurate but if nobody is around or you dont have a front wheel stand it can be tricky.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2011
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From: nebraska
MY service manual for my 2008 96 twin cam says check it on the jiffy stand dip stick screwd in after you wipe it then take back out and check. my 76 shovel and 80 iron head sportster say check it up right. It's diffrent for diffrent models and years .
i sugest you buy a service manual .
However if you go to the Harley web site and registar your bike you can veiw the manual for your model and year on line for free.
i sugest you buy a service manual .
However if you go to the Harley web site and registar your bike you can veiw the manual for your model and year on line for free.
Last edited by baust55; Jul 17, 2012 at 01:22 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: SE Illinois
Ride for at least 30 minutes and get the oil up to temp. Park the bike, let it idle for about a minute, shut it off and check immediately. To check it, pull the stick & wipe it off, insert and screw it in all the way, then check it.
Just for reference take note of where it is on the stick, then check it again the next morning bone cold and notice the difference. You don't want it above the full mark when the oil is hot, but that level is going to be less when cold.
That's on the jiffy stand..
Just for reference take note of where it is on the stick, then check it again the next morning bone cold and notice the difference. You don't want it above the full mark when the oil is hot, but that level is going to be less when cold.
That's on the jiffy stand..
Last edited by Sharkman73; Jul 17, 2012 at 01:42 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 105
Likes: 9
From: Shreveport, LA
I purchased a temp gauge oil dipstick for my 06 fatboy.
I noticed it was much shorter than the stock dipstick & none of the lines "lined up" when comparing the two dipsticks before installation.
Got my bike up to temp & checked the oil while on kickstand with both dipsticks.
Perfectly full on my stock dipstick is only slightly above the bottom line on the temp gauge dipstick.
Just something to keep in mind.
I noticed it was much shorter than the stock dipstick & none of the lines "lined up" when comparing the two dipsticks before installation.
Got my bike up to temp & checked the oil while on kickstand with both dipsticks.
Perfectly full on my stock dipstick is only slightly above the bottom line on the temp gauge dipstick.
Just something to keep in mind.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: TN
This is more rediculous than. "Measure with a micrometer, mark it with chauk, and cut it with an axe."
Why did I even respond????????????????
Bwana
Why did I even respond????????????????
Bwana
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Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 20
From: Shamokin, PA
MY service manual for my 2008 96 twin cam says check it on the jiffy stand dip stick screwd in after you wipe it then take back out and check. my 76 shovel and 80 iron head sportster say check it up right. It's diffrent for diffrent models and years .
i sugest you buy a service manual .
However if you go to the Harley web site and registar your bike you can veiw the manual for your model and year on line for free.
i sugest you buy a service manual .
However if you go to the Harley web site and registar your bike you can veiw the manual for your model and year on line for free.
You know I have a manual and didn't even think to look in it.
It's on the jiffy stand on a 09 sportster. There's a hot and cold check in the owners manual as well.
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 89
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From: Michigan
On my 98 Heritage, it is supposed to be check with bike level ( full is to the bottom of the rubber plug on stick ).
On my bud's 05 Heritage, the dip stick is marked to check it on the jiffy stand ( states this right on the stick ). For sure, different bikes require different methods.
On my bud's 05 Heritage, the dip stick is marked to check it on the jiffy stand ( states this right on the stick ). For sure, different bikes require different methods.