Proper Oil Level
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Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 653
From: Potter County, PA
Proper Oil Level
I have owned this 1984 FXEF for a very long time. When I first bought it years ago, the Harley Dealer said to check the engine oil with the bike on the jiffy stand. I came across a 1984 Harley FX/FL Owner's Manual last week and it clearly says to check the oil with the bike as straight up as possible and as level as possible. I have been running at least a half quart low for all these years, unless the Owner's Manual is wrong??? What say the masses? At least I am in the mountains of north-central Pennsylvania where it never gets too hot.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
I always check on the jiffy stand for my '81 FXB. Straight up would have the oil above the tank plug if I filed to the line on the dipstick straight up. My '13 Limited has both fill levels marked, straight up and on jiffy stand. I used to have an '89 FXR 5 speed that I believe had the same tank you have behind a plastic side cover. I always checked it on the jiffy stand too. Last time I saw it it had over 70k miles on it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,506
Likes: 7,811
From: Long Island, New York
The manual for my 1991 Sportster says the same thing, straight up.
Every other bike is when on the jiffy stand. I have asked this very question and have been told for a stock FLH, on the jiffy.
One of those things that HD could have made universal and simple.
My Dyna has a cold and hot fill line on the dip stick, best thing ever. But only on the one bike. Sometime I think they want it to be mysterious.
Good luck.
Every other bike is when on the jiffy stand. I have asked this very question and have been told for a stock FLH, on the jiffy.
One of those things that HD could have made universal and simple.
My Dyna has a cold and hot fill line on the dip stick, best thing ever. But only on the one bike. Sometime I think they want it to be mysterious.
Good luck.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,032
Likes: 12,560
From: South Carolina
There have been some pretty gross errors in the owners manuals when it comes to lube levels...
My `89 Softail says to fill the primary (bike straight up) to the bottom of the derby cover opening, which would be absurdly overfilled.
That same owners manual says to fill the oil tank (bike straight up) until the oil touches the rubber plug on the dipstick (this would mean filling the tank all the way up into the filler neck).
My `89 Softail says to fill the primary (bike straight up) to the bottom of the derby cover opening, which would be absurdly overfilled.
That same owners manual says to fill the oil tank (bike straight up) until the oil touches the rubber plug on the dipstick (this would mean filling the tank all the way up into the filler neck).
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