2002 harley fat boy
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: anywhere
2002 harley fat boy
I have a 2002 harley fatboy. If I go over 75 mph it will burn oil ( about 4 ounses in 200 miles ) If I keep it below 75 mph it uses no oil in 200 miles. I have a catch can on the breathers and it has no blow by. My plugs are white with a tiny bit of brown on them. My compression is 150 on both cylinders. is this normal for a bike with ony 60,000 miles on it. Driven normaly with no burn outs and I shift from 4th to 5th at 55 to 60 mph
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2024
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From: Northern plains
I have a 2002 harley fatboy. If I go over 75 mph it will burn oil ( about 4 ounses in 200 miles ) If I keep it below 75 mph it uses no oil in 200 miles. I have a catch can on the breathers and it has no blow by. My plugs are white with a tiny bit of brown on them. My compression is 150 on both cylinders. is this normal for a bike with ony 60,000 miles on it. Driven normaly with no burn outs and I shift from 4th to 5th at 55 to 60 mph
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
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From: backwoods
My 2001 flh goes through oil at high speeds. That seems a hair high. I would monitor to make sure it really is that . Obviously checking for leaks too. My 01 has had a few
I run half quart low cold.
4 ounces is kinda hard to measure.
I run half quart low cold.
4 ounces is kinda hard to measure.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: san antonio
It's a softail so if oil levels are not consistenty checked when hot and the oil tank is as full as it will get, the measured levels are meaningless; no consistency.
I don't subscribe to the "run it 1/2 quart low" practice; IMHO bullshit. If the top end is tight, good ring seal, oil consumption is going to be the same running at the full or 1/2 quart low level. If the OP wants to know how much oil the motor is consuming, fill to the full mark, ride the bike as he normally does without paying attention to the speedometer, roll up 500 miles without checking or adding any oil, take a hot measurement per the owner's manual and he will know. I hope he will do that and report back.
No blow by in the catch can and no oil deposits on the plugs would indicate that ring seal is pretty good.
I don't subscribe to the "run it 1/2 quart low" practice; IMHO bullshit. If the top end is tight, good ring seal, oil consumption is going to be the same running at the full or 1/2 quart low level. If the OP wants to know how much oil the motor is consuming, fill to the full mark, ride the bike as he normally does without paying attention to the speedometer, roll up 500 miles without checking or adding any oil, take a hot measurement per the owner's manual and he will know. I hope he will do that and report back.
No blow by in the catch can and no oil deposits on the plugs would indicate that ring seal is pretty good.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,279
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From: anywhere
New update. I have been checking the oil level every time I ride it. I always let it get up to operating temps then let it idle for 2 minutes. Some times it will show that its the same level ,(up to 1/2 way on the dip stick) and sometimes it will show its down from 1/2 way up on the dip stick. The next time I check it it shows that its 1/2 way up on the dip stick and then the next time I check it it will show that its down from 1/2 way on the dip stick. and so forth. What do you think is wrong with it?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: san antonio
I don't think anything is wrong. I would not be surprised if the motor was using some oil after 60K miles but not enough to warrant a top end rebuild as evidenced by no oil in the catch can and clean spark plugs. Stop checking every time you ride; it's just confusing you. Before leaving on your next ride, start up and let idle for a good five minutes or so to make sure all the oil is back in the tank. There is no check valve between the oil tank and the crankcase sump and if the bike sits for a while, oil from the tank can drain back into the sump which is why you need to let the motor idle for at least five minutes to make sure all the oil is back in the tank; check the level before taking off. When you return; check the oil as soon as you get off the bike and compare the before/after ride levels; they should be the same and if they are the same the issue of levels being different between rides becomes a non issue.
This has nothing to do with consumption do with consumption. Suggest you follow the steps I outlined in my previous to see if the motor is actually consuming oil and, if so, how much.
This has nothing to do with consumption do with consumption. Suggest you follow the steps I outlined in my previous to see if the motor is actually consuming oil and, if so, how much.