Checking oil XL1200C
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 195
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From: Land O' Lakes
Checking oil XL1200C
When checking the oil on the XL1200C I was told you check it while the bike is on the side stand? Yes no?
Also do you screw the dipstick back in, or just place it in the opening without screwing it back in?
Also do you screw the dipstick back in, or just place it in the opening without screwing it back in?
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,337
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From: Houston, Texas
I ride it for a couple miles to let the engine warm up, then i check the level while on the sidestand. I unscrew the cap, wipe the stick clean then reinsert and twist but not lock and then take a reading.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 151
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From: Oregon
cHarley I have learned to respect your opinions but I have to respectfully ask for a clarification on this one. As per my HD manual for the 2000 883 I have always placed a 2X6 under the jiffy stand to hold the bike vertical while checking the oil. Is there different instructions for a 1200? I have also been filling to a point about halfway between the two marks on the dipstick to help avoid the spaying of oil from the breather assy. Can you clarify please.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
cHarley I have learned to respect your opinions but I have to respectfully ask for a clarification on this one. As per my HD manual for the 2000 883 I have always placed a 2X6 under the jiffy stand to hold the bike vertical while checking the oil. Is there different instructions for a 1200? I have also been filling to a point about halfway between the two marks on the dipstick to help avoid the spaying of oil from the breather assy. Can you clarify please.
All in all, I don't think that tipped on the jiffy vs upright makes all that much difference if your like most HD owners that have learned that keeping the oil level about mid way between the ADD & FULL marks reduces oil blow-by into the air cleaner. Keeping in mind here that raising or lowering the (shocks) bike, affects the lean angle when on the jiffy stand. I'm running 12.5" rear shocks, so I put a piece of 1x8 under the jiffy to compensate.
Last edited by cHarley; Sep 13, 2009 at 12:57 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 77
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From: Azle, TX
Here is a way to make your life a lot easier when checking your oil. After a fresh change and you have verified that you have the correct amount of oil in your tank, after a complete warm up, let the bike sit until it has fully cooled down, or better yet, let it sit a day or two. The idea is to allow adequate time for all the oil to completely settle. With the bike resting on the jiffy stand, carefully pull the dip stick, note where the level is and simply scratch a horizontal mark on the stick at the point where the oil level is at. This makes it a simple process of checking the oil before every ride and you're not having to do a balancing act with the bike and a hot engine. You may have to be extra cautious if you are using a digital read out stick but for all practical purposes, this simple solution works quite well.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Here is a way to make your life a lot easier when checking your oil. After a fresh change and you have verified that you have the correct amount of oil in your tank, after a complete warm up, let the bike sit until it has fully cooled down, or better yet, let it sit a day or two. The idea is to allow adequate time for all the oil to completely settle. With the bike resting on the jiffy stand, carefully pull the dip stick, note where the level is and simply scratch a horizontal mark on the stick at the point where the oil level is at. This makes it a simple process of checking the oil before every ride and you're not having to do a balancing act with the bike and a hot engine. You may have to be extra cautious if you are using a digital read out stick but for all practical purposes, this simple solution works quite well.
The manual tells you to check the oil level HOT for a reason.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 77
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From: Azle, TX
That works fine until you get a piece of trash in the oil system that causes the oil system check valve to not seat properly. If (when) that happens the oil in the tank will slowly drain down into the motor sump. If you refill the tank under these conditions you will overfill the system and then have a real headache.
The manual tells you to check the oil level HOT for a reason.
The manual tells you to check the oil level HOT for a reason.