Hi all, completely new to this forum and motorcycles in general. Bought a 2002 Sportster 883, did an oil change using valvoline 20w-50 and new oil filter. Drained old oil, filled with new put about 2.5 quarts in as well as a little in the filter when putting that on. Ran the bike for a minute or so then turned it off and it only reached the low mark on the dipstick, so I added the remaining .5 quart bringing me to a total of 3 full quarts of oil. Again ran the bike, checked the oil and it was pretty frothy but showed up halfway on the dipstick. Let the bike sit for about an hour checked it again and still the same about halfway between the low and high marks on the dipstick???? I don't want to put more oil in because the manufacturer oil capacity is 3 quarts and that's what's in there. I also want to note that it sounded like the bike was missing after doing the oil change and I had smoke coming out of where the air cleaner is, not sure if that's relevant or just a build up of gas from idling it and not driving it or what... any help is greatly appreciated!

 

Your oil shouldn't be higher then the halfway mark. If it's at the "full" mark you will puke oil into the air cleaner.

The other issue....I'd ride it around for a good 15 minutes. And see how it acts. Could have just been loaded up from starting it and turning it off right away.

 

You need to ride it about 20 minutes to get up to full oil temp, then check your oil level. Some maybe drained into the crankcase and one minute may not be much time to pump it out, especially if you idle it low.

John