2005 Deuce - Went on a poker run today. During the ride, I discovered the oil dipstick had fallen/blew out and was missing. Why would this happen? Too much pressure(?) in oil tank? Need a different dipstick? Is there a certain way that the dipstick needs to be inserted after checking oil? Open to ideas, suggestions. Thanks

 

Yep....your a dipstick problem all right...and you cant fix stupid. JK couldnt resist. This usually happens if you have put too much oil in it and then the oil expands when it gets hot and blows the dipstick out. Did you just do an oil change before this happened?

 

Pressure.
Yes.
Now U do.
Yes, all the way in.
Get a new one and don't overfill with oil.

 

+1 on to much oil, not enough space in the tank to expand. I have heard of this happening and shooting out hot oil and burning the rider....your lucky.

 

1931, now was that nice? lol. Yeah, actually I did just change all my fluids (oil included) before this happened. But the levels seemed proper on the dipstick when I checked it last night. You are suggesting I should not fill it to the top line on the dipstick, correct? Do I fill it half way up? Thanks for input. ****question I ask no one in particular - why the hell would HD design it this way? if one shouldn't fill the tank, why don't they adjust the level line?****

 

HD did it this way because different oils i.e. synthetic vs. regular expand differently and you are supposed to check it while the oil is hot. Not just fill it up while its cold to the full mark. Another words put about 2 and a half quarts I think it is in your softail when you add your new oil. Run it a little and get the oil nice and warm and check it. If it needs more just add a little more. Check your owners manual if you have one. If not you can probably pick one up on Ebay. A service manual would be even better.

 

Just so you don't think I'm a complete dipstick, I do check the oil when it is hot (took out for about a 20 minute spin) and with the Deuce, check the oil with the bike on the sidestand. As I recall, when I changed the oil, I think I used about 2 and 3/4 quarts of Mobil V-Twin 20-50.

 

My softail holds 2.5 quarts of the regular HD 20w-50 oil (not the synthetic). It is an evo though and may hold less than yours but highly unlikely it would hold less.

 

I use the same oil and have a Deuce as well. Just did mine yesterday and put in exactly 3 quarts per the HD tech. No problems.

 

Yeah I put in 2.5 than fill as needed usually takes 2.75 to get it just below the full line.