I forgot to check the dipstick before I drained the engine. But I poured all the drained oil back into the new oil bottle and only had 2.25 quarts. I even drained the filter too. I know that the filter media has some oil in it but I expected to drain what I put in, which was 3 quarts. I did not over fill. Dipstick level is at full when hot. Oil was drained for 30 min. while level on bike lift.

Stupid me took for granted that oil was topped off at purchase, since it's a new bike. Have any of you found that your new bike was not full? I have read that past Harleys are known to consume some oil during break-in. Is this true?

 

I'm reading now where most suggest keeping oil level at the half mark to prevent oil puking.

 

There will always be oil left in sump after draining.This is why they say to fill with 3 quarts and then check level.Leaving low oil level to keep oil from puking is not going to make any difference.Would You leave Your oil level in Your car low for any reason?Look into a crankcase breather bypass to keep oil from puking.

 

Exactly my thoughts.

I am looking at bypasses. J&P sells a nice one with braided hose fro $67. You can get cheaper kits or piece one together cheaper.

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/4000380

 

It's well known that some Harley's when serviced with oil to the top of the oil level range will*suck oil out into the air cleaner. I haven't experience on 4 bikes but on some bikes it is an issue. For those bikes keeping the oil at about the half way mark seems to work. Do a search on this.
My bike doesn't do this enough to make a difference in oil level but I can see some oily residue on the bottom of the air filter backplate where it leads into the throttle body. I'm going to vent it to outside of the air cleaner housing.

 

If I read correctly, the bike is supposed to be tilted, on the jiffy stand to drain and to check.

 

Just what I was thinking based on where the drain plug is. East to image several ounces not coming out if not tilted on the kickstand.

 

My 2015 flhtp drained 2.75 qt including oil filter. I followed manual and started with 3 qts...NOT. That put me a little over full when hot.

My 98 heritage doesn't like to be over 1/2 between add and full and that's what I have now in my new one (after draining 1/4 qt)

Start with 2 1/2 qts THEN check hot and see where you are would be my idea

And that tranny dip stick is useless to me...cant read it worth a ****.
28 oz and call it good for me

 

Thats the way I read it and still your only going to replace a little over 3 qts measuring a little better than half way up the dip stick.

 

it sounds like you were around 1/2 - 3/4 of a quart low when you drained My bike consumed no measureable oil during break in