Not sure I have the right dip stick.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,718
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From: Punta Gorda,FL
Not sure I have the right dip stick.
I have a 2005 SE Fat Boy with the 103". I have changed oil and filter twice. Both times it only took a bit less then 2 1/2 quarts to bring oil level to the full mark, on the dip stick. This is with the bike on the jiffy stand and engine up to operating temperature.
I was real careful draining it last time. Made sure engine was warmed up. After it stopped dripping, I got on the bike and tilted it back and forth and held it to get every drop out that would come out. It still took a bit less then 2 1/2 qts. to fill oil tank. The manual states 3 1/2 qts. for oil change. I have checked it since then and it is still right at the full mark.
I am wondering if I might have the wrong length dipstick. I am the second owner, so it is possible that the dip stick isn't correct for this model.
Using a 6" scale measuring from the bottom of the rubber seal that nests against the top of the oil tank fill spout, to the top of the fill mark. It is just shy of 3 1/2". In order for my dipstick to read full with just 2 1/2 qts, I figure it would have to be about an 1" too long.
Could someone with a Softail 88 or 103 , close to the year 2005, please measure your dip stick the same way, so I will know if mine is the right length.
Thanks for any help,
Tom
I was real careful draining it last time. Made sure engine was warmed up. After it stopped dripping, I got on the bike and tilted it back and forth and held it to get every drop out that would come out. It still took a bit less then 2 1/2 qts. to fill oil tank. The manual states 3 1/2 qts. for oil change. I have checked it since then and it is still right at the full mark.
I am wondering if I might have the wrong length dipstick. I am the second owner, so it is possible that the dip stick isn't correct for this model.
Using a 6" scale measuring from the bottom of the rubber seal that nests against the top of the oil tank fill spout, to the top of the fill mark. It is just shy of 3 1/2". In order for my dipstick to read full with just 2 1/2 qts, I figure it would have to be about an 1" too long.
Could someone with a Softail 88 or 103 , close to the year 2005, please measure your dip stick the same way, so I will know if mine is the right length.
Thanks for any help,
Tom
Last edited by tmitchellof PG; Aug 16, 2008 at 07:48 PM. Reason: Deleted picture
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 505
Likes: 1
From: Pine, Colorado
i have an 06 Fatboy and I have exactly the same problem......my dipstick is the same as yours........I put in just under 3 1/2 quarts of oil, after replaceing cams, draining oil tank and removing filter. It should have been completely empty. Don't drive it over full, I did and it blew out the dipstick and coated my leg and the bike with oil.
From what I've read on other forums a lot of people end up only putting in around 2 1/2 quarts when doing oil changes.
From what I've read on other forums a lot of people end up only putting in around 2 1/2 quarts when doing oil changes.
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,718
Likes: 11
From: Punta Gorda,FL
FBTRIKE,
Thanks for your reply.
I went way back on the oil threads and there are some owner's that only put in 2 1/2 quarts in a Softail, but it is not the norm. It just doesn't make sense, all the Softails use the the same size oil tank. I could see 1/2 pint difference depending on how well a person drains the oil, but one quart is a hell of a difference when it should be 3 1/2 or just a bit less.
Splitting Lanes,
I don't know how much a Dyna oil tank holds, but if you say it just takes 2 1/2 quarts for an oil change, at least it shows that should be sufficient for a Softail to operate also.
Tom
Thanks for your reply.
I went way back on the oil threads and there are some owner's that only put in 2 1/2 quarts in a Softail, but it is not the norm. It just doesn't make sense, all the Softails use the the same size oil tank. I could see 1/2 pint difference depending on how well a person drains the oil, but one quart is a hell of a difference when it should be 3 1/2 or just a bit less.
Splitting Lanes,
I don't know how much a Dyna oil tank holds, but if you say it just takes 2 1/2 quarts for an oil change, at least it shows that should be sufficient for a Softail to operate also.
Tom
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,718
Likes: 11
From: Punta Gorda,FL
I just got back from the HD dealership. The parts guy was nice enough to show me 3 different style dipsticks, for a 2000 and up,Softail.
Each dipstick was a different length, I measured from the rubber seal that nests against the fill neck on the oil tank to the top of the full mark.
The stock replacement was 3 1/2" (same as mine).
The fancy one that has an engraved top was 2 1/2".
The digital one was approximately 4".
So it depends on which style dipstick you use, as to how much oil it takes to get a full reading. I would say that there is at least a quart and a half difference between the engraved one and the digital one and a quart difference between the engraved top one and the stock one.
Tom
Each dipstick was a different length, I measured from the rubber seal that nests against the fill neck on the oil tank to the top of the full mark.
The stock replacement was 3 1/2" (same as mine).
The fancy one that has an engraved top was 2 1/2".
The digital one was approximately 4".
So it depends on which style dipstick you use, as to how much oil it takes to get a full reading. I would say that there is at least a quart and a half difference between the engraved one and the digital one and a quart difference between the engraved top one and the stock one.
Tom
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