88B Softail Motor Question
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 2
From: Parker, CO
88B Softail Motor Question
What causes an 88B motor to drain the oil down into the crankcase and how is it repaired? Is it something a decent "shadetree mechanic" can fix or does it have to go to the shop? I know my way around car motors but don't know sic'em about motorcycle engines.
The wife's '01 Fatboy will drain down if left sitting for two weeks. It can't be a good thing and I know it must be hard on the starter with it having to pull the crank through all that heavy oil.
Any assistance would be appreciated.
The wife's '01 Fatboy will drain down if left sitting for two weeks. It can't be a good thing and I know it must be hard on the starter with it having to pull the crank through all that heavy oil.
Any assistance would be appreciated.
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
Find a service manual and do a sumping test on the bike. Once running there should only be X amount in the crankcase. The typical culprit seems to be a faulty ball check valve deal.
Never thought about it filling the case or wet sumping whilst it sits tho?
Never thought about it filling the case or wet sumping whilst it sits tho?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,357
Likes: 11
From: The Lone Star State
Mine does it too. All the research and questions I've asked have lead me to believe it's pretty common because of the oil tank being suspended above the crank case. As long as the oil comes back up when you crank the bike, don't sweat it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,120
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From: Lakeland, FL
to check for a sumping problem, get the oil to around 200* (operating temp). shut the bike off and remove the plug in the bottom of the crankcase. you should get around 4 ounces. be very careful putting that plug back in. you don't want to crack your case.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,436
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As far as i know, all the HARLEY motors do this. Checked oil tonight for ride tomorrow, and oil doesn't even register on my dipstick. I'll fire it up tomorrow and give it 5 min. and then check it, im sure it will be right on as usual. Just dont consider it low when COLD and add more oil, then you will be in TROUBLE WHEN IT WARMS UP!!! 
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Front Royal, VA
As far as i know, all the HARLEY motors do this. Checked oil tonight for ride tomorrow, and oil doesn't even register on my dipstick. I'll fire it up tomorrow and give it 5 min. and then check it, im sure it will be right on as usual. Just dont consider it low when COLD and add more oil, then you will be in TROUBLE WHEN IT WARMS UP!!!
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 2
From: Parker, CO
Thanks for the replies. The thing did not do this up until the past few months. Must be a check valve somewhere that is stuck open. Anyway, if it is this common of a happening I will not worry about it.
I fouled up a month back and added oil before I though about it much. I got to thinking about it before we started to ride. I started the engine and up came the oil in a hurry. I shut it back down and I had to suck the oil out of the tank with a cooking baster to get it back down the correct level. I would of had oil all over the place if I had of let it run more than a few seconds.
Thanks again for the responses.
I fouled up a month back and added oil before I though about it much. I got to thinking about it before we started to ride. I started the engine and up came the oil in a hurry. I shut it back down and I had to suck the oil out of the tank with a cooking baster to get it back down the correct level. I would of had oil all over the place if I had of let it run more than a few seconds.
Thanks again for the responses.
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