Got a buddy with a 2004 fatboy, he want to know how the oil levels should read when the oil/motor is cold. Any help!

 

should be ckecked when hot. ideal is to ride for minimum 30 min. @65 mph+, and get the oil temp to minimum 180 degrees & to burn off all the city riding build up(moisture/fuel/shavings - it raises the level). it should be just bottom of oil fill neck line with bike leveled, engine off. check again when cold to gauge the difference between hot & cold for reference. hope it helps.

 

Once you get the motor to operating temp, shut it off and:

1. ON the kickstand, take out the dipstick, wipe it clean and replace it.

2. Slowly raise the bike off the kickstand to level, hold a few secs, and put it back on the kickstand.

3. Remove the dipstick and read the oil level.

KISS

 

I usually check mine hot but cold it will read between add and full

 

I have an 07 FB, not sure if its different but the bike is supposed to be on the jiffy stand when checking oil. I remember reading somewhere, may be in the owners manual, that it should read about halfway between "Fill" and "Full" when cold.

The service manual for my 07 reads as follows:

not overfill oil tank.

 

I don't know what year that they started checking the oil level with the bike on the jiffy stand, but your suppose to check oil while it is on the jiffy stand and oil is up to operating temperature, on my 2005 SE Fat Boy.
Your also better off running with the oil a bit below the full mark then adding too much.
Tom

 

If all else fails, read the fricken manual!

 

The poster asked a simple question. That is what this forum is for.


Screw what the manual says...

The level in the tank with the bike upright should be about 1/2 inch below the filler neck on a Softail.

Forget about the dipstick, it is worthless. Eyeball it and you will be fine.

Don`t add oil before running the engine for a few minutes, until all the oil is scavenged from the crankcases.

 

I generally check mine while on a ride, but I've never noticed a significant difference on the dipstick from when I check it cold in the garage. Pretty simple. But I guess you can analyze anything enough to a point that it becomes complicated.

 

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Chit I didn't even know the OIL levels could READ........

I just do what the manual say's to do....

warm motor, put on jiffy stand for couple mins. then check dipchit...