Glad I read that, fixing to drop temp dipstick in next trip to HD. Not now :->

 

Before I did my first oil change and I just started on this forum I had read a post where someone else had a dipstick blowout during his test ride after an oil change. I've been paranoid every time since. This last oil change I did I over filled a little but it has yet to pop out on me. So I can't say it debunks overfilling, but if ovfill causes it, it needs to be a lot.

Also, how can over filling the oil tank harm the engine? I can see it blowing out the stick, but doesn't the engine only use the oil it needs? It's not a sealed system that will overload.

And I third that on the temp dipstick. They are expensive and to hear they fail like the stock dipstick because of the rubber sucks. Any ideas on keeping an eye on oil temp?

Also, I too run Amsoil. Great stuff!

 

Blow-by will pressurize the crankcase. I think mjrfd99 has the right idea (I had a '77 XLCH too btw). That little rubber valve had an important purpose. When mine went south the crank pressure started forcing oil through the cylinder to case gasket area. A one-way crank valve lowers the crankcase pressure and frees up a small amount of power - and I would hope keep dipsticks from popping out. That is the first place I'd look.

 

i had the same problem on my 2001 Deuce with temp dipstick. After a couple years the rubber seal got a little hard. HD told me the rubber compound was wrong. They replace placed it at no charge with the "new" compound about 5 years ago. it work without any blow by.

 

Had the same thing happen to me. Some co-workers met up with me at lunch, one of them, fortunately, happened to recover my dipstick that flew out while I was in route. It flew out again on my ride home that day. Went to the Stealership and replaced with another stock one, and it hasn't blown out since. Granted, I'd been using my previous for about 8 years, so it it was normal wear and tear...

 

this has been my worst bikeing year for a long time lots of money spent and way too much down time . i ride a 1985 fxef fat bob its red with wire spoke wheels pretty much stock even down to the paint . this year my chargeing system burnt out it cost me 340 euro for a new regulator and altanator . my carb an old kehin pre cv gave up next maybe it was only the compliance fittings they are like the manifold . i bought a never used 99 cv carb off e bay that came from a bike that got a stage 2 out of the crate with most lightly a mikuni easy kit that uses the stock choke and all . anyway my man sent me the choke cable and parts the manifold the gaskets the backing plate an old air filter untill my new k and n got to him . i asked him what do i do with the vent pipe . just stick it on spigot on the back of the backing plate he said it doesnt do any thing . so i did but i never drilled out the hole to let it breed . i think that might have built up the pressue . while the bike was down waiting on parts i got my seat re done 80's chopper style higer on the back rest much more comfortable and it looks real good with basket weave inlays like on the old corbin seats . i also fitted a wind shield that i got for a good price second hand its a real nice fit and works well . about 8 kms into my first ride after a couple of months i was just starting to get into my ride and loveing it . next thing i felt a slap on my left leg i instantly thought its the filler cap so i stalled it and sure enough no dip stick . it was a high hedge and very over grown . i never found it so im back waiting on parts agin . 2 years ago i had 5 bikes last years i just had the fatbob and a 1981 bmw r100 that thing wrecked my head so i sold it off beautyfull to ride but i got fed up with the chargeing system acting up . i have owned the fatbob nearly 8 years and it has been a peach of a bike just this year its been acting up . good thread by the way . im going to carry a spare bung for the oil tank in my saddle bags from now on .