changed my oil level dipstick today to one with a temp gauge on it, but in doing so, I noticed a low level in oil.

Now I know you should check the oil when hot and make sure its between the low and fill markers on the dipstick, but as my oil wasn't even on the dipstick when the bike was standing up straight and cold.......should I top it up abit until it reaches the bottom of the dipstick...then check the level and re-fill etc.....or would I have filled it too far by doing this?

 

Check your oil hot on the side stand.

 

yes I get that, but surely the oil should be touching the bottom of the dipstick when the bike is straight and cold?.....

 

It leaks down into the crankcase when sitting, start it up and watch the oil level rise in the tank.

 

ah .....now that makes more sence to me.......so it might not even need topping up....I looked this morning....bike on side stand, cold....and thought christ...I can only just see oil at the bottom and the dipstick itself was dry and not registering any oil.

 

I bought the HD oil stick with the anolog temp gauge. The instructions for it says to check the oil warm and on the jiffy stand.

 

My oil stays pretty much the same level, hot or cold.

When cold, it's about 1/2" above the lower line on my temp gauge dipstick. When hot, maybe 3/4" above the mark, putting it right in the middle. My bike's 22 years old and the 1/4" difference could easily be explained by thermal expansion, so I don't see this "leakdown" issue on my bike.

Sounds to me like you might be a bit low on oil.

John

 

My oil goes 1/4 quart up when hot. So add to the bottom mark when cold so that its atleast 1/4 up from the bottom mark when hot

 

Cold and or straight up has no relevance when checking the oil. Like the first response said.......check when hot and on kickstand..........ignore all others.

 

That is why I said start the bike and the oil level will rise in the tank, the oil pump will return what drained past the pump into the crankcase.
If I let mine sit overnight the oil level the next day will be on the tip of the stick, after starting and running for a couple of minuets it will show full.