Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

oil level/oil temperature

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 24, 2011 | 09:09 PM
  #1  
streeteagle's Avatar
streeteagle
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 12
From: Haymarket, VA
Default oil level/oil temperature

It seems my oil level reads higher on a really hot day with an oil temp of around 230 compared to a cooler day with an oil temp around 210. I know your supposed to check it hot, but hot is so relative. I let it idle for about 2 minutes before checking. What's you experience in regard to this?
 
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2011 | 11:28 PM
  #2  
Crazy Biker's Avatar
Crazy Biker
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,356
Likes: 1
From: Lansdale, Pa
Default

It's called thermal expansion.
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2011 | 07:56 AM
  #3  
streeteagle's Avatar
streeteagle
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 12
From: Haymarket, VA
Default

Thanks..
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2011 | 08:26 AM
  #4  
F117ewo's Avatar
F117ewo
Cruiser
15 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 2
From:
Default

You won't see much difference in expansion of the oil from 200-230F. As long as the oil is fairly warm, it will be fine to check it. 175F is probably plenty warm too.

Jake
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BobRR
General Harley Davidson Chat
72
Nov 27, 2024 12:10 PM
MURPHCC1
Oil Archive (no new posts)
1
Mar 11, 2014 09:13 PM
Hawkmoon
Sportster Models
11
Jan 17, 2010 06:27 AM
Fire4Effect
Sportster Models
17
Jul 19, 2009 07:05 AM
pauli
Oil Archive (no new posts)
5
Aug 24, 2008 03:35 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:20 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE