Oil capacity Softail Deuce
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1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
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From: Virginia
Oil capacity Softail Deuce
I just picked up a 2003 Deuce (FXSTDI). The oil tank was almost completely full from previous owner. I dumped the old, replaced filter and filled with new. I stopped just short of 3.5 quarts, based on manual. It still was too far up the dipstick. I dumped out some of the new oil. I'm just under 3 quarts now, but that feels low given the manual.
Is there something I should worry about or check? Or does the capacity fluctuate that much?
Is there something I should worry about or check? Or does the capacity fluctuate that much?
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 424
Likes: 357
From: Santa Barbara, CA
When checking your oil level it makes a difference if you're on the 'jiffy' stand or the bike is completely level, as it would be on a bike lift. You may be checking your level on the side stand, when you need to check it level.
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1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
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From: Virginia
When I checked it, it was off the stand and stood straight up. Just under 3 quarts put the oil mark just under the top of the acceptable range on the dipstick.
It's a good bit lower than where the previous owner had it. They had it almost to top of the opening on the tank. When I emptied it, I pulled out almost 4 quarts.
It's a good bit lower than where the previous owner had it. They had it almost to top of the opening on the tank. When I emptied it, I pulled out almost 4 quarts.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 424
Likes: 357
From: Santa Barbara, CA
When I checked it, it was off the stand and stood straight up. Just under 3 quarts put the oil mark just under the top of the acceptable range on the dipstick.
It's a good bit lower than where the previous owner had it. They had it almost to top of the opening on the tank. When I emptied it, I pulled out almost 4 quarts.
It's a good bit lower than where the previous owner had it. They had it almost to top of the opening on the tank. When I emptied it, I pulled out almost 4 quarts.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,898
Likes: 11,338
From: NE Ohio
don't know if your dipstick is stock, or different from my '04 Deuce OEM DS (my DS swivels and says check while on kick stand)
but if you have very near 3qts, go take a ride till the oil is hot (30 miles minimum)
Then check while on jiffy stand (if you DS swivels)
also, if you drian oil while on the stand, all the oil doesn't get drained from the oil tank.
I always get more out of tank when the bike is upright, then change filter while on stand
..L.T.A.
but if you have very near 3qts, go take a ride till the oil is hot (30 miles minimum)
Then check while on jiffy stand (if you DS swivels)
also, if you drian oil while on the stand, all the oil doesn't get drained from the oil tank.
I always get more out of tank when the bike is upright, then change filter while on stand
..L.T.A.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,055
Likes: 1,489
From: Black Hills of SD
Just for info. If you have the HD dipstick with the temperature gauge on it - The bike is supposed to have the oil checked on the side stand. With the OEM dipstick, at least on my FatBoy is to be checked stand straight up.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,776
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From: san antonio
Sounds like the original owner made the mistake that a lot of softail owners make. Checking the oil, getting a low reading but not understanding that some oil has drained from the tank into the crankcase sump. Then starting the bike and the oil in the sump is pulled back into the tank and over fills.
The OP should get the bike up to operating temps with a short ride; dont run at high rpms because if the tank is over filled, the motor will puke oil. Check level on the jiffy stand (oe however the manual dictates) and if level checks OK after getting up to operating temps, leave it alone. However, if the tank is over full, get a turkey baster and pull oil out to the FULL level. There is no need to run a Harley on less oil than the manual specifies. Some run 1/2 quart low but that is dumb; don't do it.
If a softail sits for any length of time, oil will drain from the tank into the crank case; some will drain more than others. Checking oil on a softail should never be done on a cold motor, the reading will not reflect the actual level. Start up, let idle for 2-3 minutes, then check on the jiffy stand (or however the manual dictates).
My '05 Deuce manual says jiffy stand.
The OP should get the bike up to operating temps with a short ride; dont run at high rpms because if the tank is over filled, the motor will puke oil. Check level on the jiffy stand (oe however the manual dictates) and if level checks OK after getting up to operating temps, leave it alone. However, if the tank is over full, get a turkey baster and pull oil out to the FULL level. There is no need to run a Harley on less oil than the manual specifies. Some run 1/2 quart low but that is dumb; don't do it.
If a softail sits for any length of time, oil will drain from the tank into the crank case; some will drain more than others. Checking oil on a softail should never be done on a cold motor, the reading will not reflect the actual level. Start up, let idle for 2-3 minutes, then check on the jiffy stand (or however the manual dictates).
My '05 Deuce manual says jiffy stand.
Last edited by djl; Oct 21, 2023 at 05:55 PM.
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Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
don't know if your dipstick is stock, or different from my '04 Deuce OEM DS (my DS swivels and says check while on kick stand)
but if you have very near 3qts, go take a ride till the oil is hot (30 miles minimum)
Then check while on jiffy stand (if you DS swivels)
also, if you drian oil while on the stand, all the oil doesn't get drained from the oil tank.
I always get more out of tank when the bike is upright, then change filter while on stand
..L.T.A.
but if you have very near 3qts, go take a ride till the oil is hot (30 miles minimum)
Then check while on jiffy stand (if you DS swivels)
also, if you drian oil while on the stand, all the oil doesn't get drained from the oil tank.
I always get more out of tank when the bike is upright, then change filter while on stand
..L.T.A.
Sounds like the original owner made the mistake that a lot of softail owners make. Checking the oil, getting a low reading but not understanding that some oil has drained from the tank into the crankcase sump. Then starting the bike and the oil in the sump is pulled back into the tank and over fills.
The OP should get the bike up to operating temps with a short ride; dont run at high rpms because if the tank is over filled, the motor will puke oil. Check level on the jiffy stand (oe however the manual dictates) and if level checks OK after getting up to operating temps, leave it alone. However, if the tank is over full, get a turkey baster and pull oil out to the FULL level. There is no need to run a Harley on less oil than the manual specifies. Some run 1/2 quart low but that is dumb; don't do it.
If a softail sits for any length of time, oil will drain from the tank into the crank case; some will drain more than others. Checking oil on a softail should never be done on a cold motor, the reading will not reflect the actual level. Start up, let idle for 2-3 minutes, then check on the jiffy stand (or however the manual dictates).
My '05 Deuce manual says jiffy stand.
The OP should get the bike up to operating temps with a short ride; dont run at high rpms because if the tank is over filled, the motor will puke oil. Check level on the jiffy stand (oe however the manual dictates) and if level checks OK after getting up to operating temps, leave it alone. However, if the tank is over full, get a turkey baster and pull oil out to the FULL level. There is no need to run a Harley on less oil than the manual specifies. Some run 1/2 quart low but that is dumb; don't do it.
If a softail sits for any length of time, oil will drain from the tank into the crank case; some will drain more than others. Checking oil on a softail should never be done on a cold motor, the reading will not reflect the actual level. Start up, let idle for 2-3 minutes, then check on the jiffy stand (or however the manual dictates).
My '05 Deuce manual says jiffy stand.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,602
Likes: 6,438
From: Honah Lee
I just picked up a 2003 Deuce (FXSTDI). The oil tank was almost completely full from previous owner. I dumped the old, replaced filter and filled with new. I stopped just short of 3.5 quarts, based on manual. It still was too far up the dipstick. I dumped out some of the new oil. I'm just under 3 quarts now, but that feels low given the manual.
Is there something I should worry about or check? Or does the capacity fluctuate that much?
Is there something I should worry about or check? Or does the capacity fluctuate that much?
Mine says level. If it's says on the stand on the stick, your stick is calibrate for that.
It's perfectly OK after it's hot to fill it to the top mark on the stick.
My 04 deuce takes 24 oz in transmission . 26 oz for primary.
I pour in three quarts for a change with filters. I run it a brief few seconds time to the light goes off to fill filter. Turn it off , stand it up and top off about 1/8" under full. About a half quart. At the hotest temperature I have ever seen on the temperature dip stick in mine, it's reads about at top of stick.
It's also quite bubbly that raises it some. That's because is a dry sump (mostly) and that is oil pulled from sump.
There is always about a 1.5" inches of oil on crank side because that's how high the lip is that the pick up hole sits below it.
On the cam side galley where the oil pump sits, The oil in there is up to where the crank shaft comes thru to drive oil pump and timing chain.
Your two balance lobes are also driven with another sprocket and chain. That sprocket is on that side but on the crank case side .
That extra oil makes sure balance chain and inner cam bearings get oil.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Oct 21, 2023 at 08:12 PM.