I have a new to me 2001 Softail heritage springer. It has been sitting for 4 Months over the winter. I am changing all of the fluids and made the mistake of draining the engine oil without starting it and letting it run a few minutes. Only about one fourth of a quart drained from the oil reservoir. The rest is likely on the primary.

How do I proceed:
1. Drain the primary oil and then refill both engine oil and primary with the recommended quantities?

2. Refill oil reservoir with .25 quarts, start it up and let the oil get pumped into the reservoir and then proceed with changing both fluids?

I am unsure if the oil went to the crankcase so I want to make sure I get everything drained and don't overfill the engine oil.

Thanks

 

I'd drain it, pull the spark plugs, put a charger on the battery and spin her over good several times to see what pumps back into the oil bag.

 

The oil is not in the primary, it has drained down into the crankcase.

Don`t add any oil, just start the engine and the oil will be returned back to the tank.

You will probably have some oil puking out the breathers.

 

That worked. Thanks.