Oil leak????
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: USA
I would never run my oil level low. In my experience, blow by only becomes an issue if the air filter becomes over saturated with oil. I use a washable filter and clean and oil it about once a year.
If you ride with anyone who re-routes the vent tubes so they drip on the road, you might not want to ride directly behind them. I got oil all over the front of my bike, my helmet and my goggles from riding behind someone who did that.
If you ride with anyone who re-routes the vent tubes so they drip on the road, you might not want to ride directly behind them. I got oil all over the front of my bike, my helmet and my goggles from riding behind someone who did that.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: USA
They'll generally spit oil a little worse after sitting for a while because oil will seep into the crankcase while they sit.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
We're not talking running it low. Just not quite 100% to the full line. Mine is run at about 1/4 to 1/2 way and I have not had a problem with oil ever.
I once had a guy ask me about oil and I checked his tank and it didn't even register on the dipstick. He had ridden 200+ miles that day without a problem. Topped it off and didn't worry 'bout a thing.
There is a bit of over-engineering done in the cooling/oiling system of all vehicles for reasons like I mentioned. You can run it 1/2QT low, and likely the system was designed to be ok with less oil than that in order to prevent problems or having to micromanage the oil level.
It's kinda like car radiators, they are designed to run on about 60% of their capable heat transfer, so even if you run it low on coolant, your car really has no clue. You just might miss the heater circuit on those cold days.
I once had a guy ask me about oil and I checked his tank and it didn't even register on the dipstick. He had ridden 200+ miles that day without a problem. Topped it off and didn't worry 'bout a thing.
There is a bit of over-engineering done in the cooling/oiling system of all vehicles for reasons like I mentioned. You can run it 1/2QT low, and likely the system was designed to be ok with less oil than that in order to prevent problems or having to micromanage the oil level.
It's kinda like car radiators, they are designed to run on about 60% of their capable heat transfer, so even if you run it low on coolant, your car really has no clue. You just might miss the heater circuit on those cold days.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
If U've seen any threads on this through the yrs it seems like its all is related to running the oil level right on the high line when running hard.
Most fill till the oil level till it show 1/2 way between low and full on the stick so we wont get the blow by.
Most fill till the oil level till it show 1/2 way between low and full on the stick so we wont get the blow by.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 383
Likes: 2
From: New Jersey
I can't see running the oil a little lower than the full mark on the dipstick on softails doing any harm to the motor.
First of all, unlike a car motor all the oil is not in the oil sump in the bottom of the motor.
On our bikes the motor sump only holds about a quart of oil. The other 2-1/2 quarts of the oil is held in the seperate oil tank under the seat. That oil just gets recirculated back in the sump of the motor.
So just for example, if you were a quart low of oil in the oil tank there is still enough oil to circulate and the sump would still remain full and the oil pump would always be primed with oil. Of course running a quart low would make your bike run slightly hotter because theres less oil for heat transfer but none the less the motor would remain fully lubricated.
First of all, unlike a car motor all the oil is not in the oil sump in the bottom of the motor.
On our bikes the motor sump only holds about a quart of oil. The other 2-1/2 quarts of the oil is held in the seperate oil tank under the seat. That oil just gets recirculated back in the sump of the motor.
So just for example, if you were a quart low of oil in the oil tank there is still enough oil to circulate and the sump would still remain full and the oil pump would always be primed with oil. Of course running a quart low would make your bike run slightly hotter because theres less oil for heat transfer but none the less the motor would remain fully lubricated.
Last edited by Jester750; Jan 27, 2012 at 02:56 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 1
From: Central Florida
I would never run my oil level low. In my experience, blow by only becomes an issue if the air filter becomes over saturated with oil. I use a washable filter and clean and oil it about once a year.
If you ride with anyone who re-routes the vent tubes so they drip on the road, you might not want to ride directly behind them. I got oil all over the front of my bike, my helmet and my goggles from riding behind someone who did that.
If you ride with anyone who re-routes the vent tubes so they drip on the road, you might not want to ride directly behind them. I got oil all over the front of my bike, my helmet and my goggles from riding behind someone who did that.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: USA
So just for example, if you were a quart low of oil in the oil tank there is still enough oil to circulate and the sump would still remain full and the oil pump would always be primed with oil. Of course running a quart low would make your bike run slightly hotter because theres less oil for heat transfer but none the less the motor would remain fully lubricated.
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