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Ill have lots of questions probably but lets start with a basic one. I just bought a 99 Softail. It has plenty to do on it. Ive already ordered the rebuild kit for the S&S E, ordered the service manual and ordered the starter clutch to get past some basic issues I know of. But the oil change has me slightly questioning something.
The oil was already overfilled from someone not realizing the tank to crank sump on this bike. Ive drained about a quart or a little more off already and its still over.
Before I dig in and get to the carburetor, bike wont start then, does the oil drain from the tank, the case or both? Ideally Id take her out for a ride and then change it but she isnt ready for the road. I can get the bike started and get her hot and fluids moving at idle. I just dont want to start off with draining oil and it all be in the case.
I know it is over full a bit. My main goal is to get the oil to the right spot before I drain it and start over. The bike starts and runs but before I pull the carb I wanted to make sure where it drains from.
If I check the level now it will show low. If I start it and run for 30 minute the tank will show over full. I know the oil will end up top in the tank if I crank or run it.
Your best bet would be to ride it for 10-15 minutes then check the oil level and drain. I wouldn't idle a bike for 30 minutes if that's what I'm reading you're doing.
Listen to @brakeless
Run it down the road for a little bit get a good and warm drain everything and start from there.. Give yourself a good solid starting point..
As for the S&S don't know why you want to dig into it yet.. If you say it's running good, why??? however if you have any questions we're here to help I love them I think they're the best carburetor ever but that's just my opinion..
I would love to ride it. I can’t. The front tire isn’t holding air more than about ten minutes. This bike has been rode hard and put away wet. It runs but doesn’t run well. The carburetor needs to be cleaned up (accelerator pump is barely pumping).
I want to get the old oil out and I’m not worried about another immediate oil change once I can get it out for a ride but that can’t happen now.
I am trying to get the carb cleaned/rebuilt, the starter clutch replaced and get better than now overfilled oil done for now.
Going back over your first post I made the assumption it ran on the road. Since it doesn't the clear answer to your question is the oil drains from the tank. Any sumped oil with be picked up when running by the oil pump and returned to the tank.
So you can start it and keep it at about 1500 to 2000 rpms for a few minutes to get all the oil back into the tank. You can watch it fill through the filler neck and you should be able to see when it stops rising. At that point, drain it.
The oil was already overfilled from someone not realizing the tank to crank sump on this bike. Ive drained about a quart or a little more off already and its still over.
FWIW...
Since you are new to this engine, the oil tank to sump, unlike the Twin Cam Engines, has a check valve to keep the oil tank from draining into the sump...
If your oil tank is draining into the engine sump, the check valve ball (#7 in the pic below) and/or it's seat has an issue... could be dirty, debris, damage, or wear....
Just something you'll want to address sooner or later while you getting this bike back up to good running condition...
Since you are new to this engine, the oil tank to sump, unlike the Twin Cam Engines, has a check valve to keep the oil tank from draining into the sump...
If your oil tank is draining into the engine sump, the check valve ball (#7 in the pic below) and/or it's seat has an issue... could be dirty, debris, damage, or wear....
Just something you'll want to address sooner or later while you getting this bike back up to good running condition...
Good point @hattitude. Also make it a habit to clean the Tappet Screen shown as #29 with every oil change.
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Evo oil change
