Checking oil level
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
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.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 7
From: Clermont, GA, CSA
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
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
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 293
Likes: 1
From: Inland Empire
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:
The service manual for my 07 reads as follows:
Checking Oil Level
Ride motorcycle until engine is warmed up to operating
temperature, then do the following.
1. Idle motorcycle on jiffy stand for 1-2 minutes.
2. Shut motorcycle off and leave motorcycle resting on
jiffy stand.
3. See Figure 1-2. Check oil level on dipstick. If necessary,
add oil until oil registers at upper groove on dipstick. Do
not overfill oil tank.Ride motorcycle until engine is warmed up to operating
temperature, then do the following.
1. Idle motorcycle on jiffy stand for 1-2 minutes.
2. Shut motorcycle off and leave motorcycle resting on
jiffy stand.
3. See Figure 1-2. Check oil level on dipstick. If necessary,
add oil until oil registers at upper groove on dipstick. Do
Last edited by Daddy-O; Oct 1, 2010 at 03:55 PM. Reason: Made the instructions bigger.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,718
Likes: 11
From: Punta Gorda,FL
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
Your also better off running with the oil a bit below the full mark then adding too much.
Tom
Last edited by tmitchellof PG; Oct 1, 2010 at 09:43 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 159
Likes: 2
From: Southern Idaho
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,195
Likes: 12,777
From: South Carolina
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.
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.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,927
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
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.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
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...