Hello everyone....I finally took the leap and did my first 3 hole change on my 2004 Road King on my own. As I read often on here I did not attempt it until I got the manual. Thus my manual came and I got started. Everything went well but I do have 1 questions.

The manual said to put in 3.5 quarts of oil....done
It says to check it cold and shows where they level should be....done
It then says to run it and check the hot level. I took the bike out for a little bit (15 minute ride or so) got it back and checked the level. The level was a little low so I added just under a half a quart more (total of almost 4). Checked everything all over again and it is still lower than the mark shows in the manual. I really don't think I should be adding any more oil.

Am I missing something?

 

I like to have the oil in the middle of the stick. This runs the oil level a bit on the low side. This helps to keep oil from being vented out into the air filter.

Usually I add 3 quarts during an oil change, run the bike then recheck. It's usually very close to where I like to run it.

 

The fifteen minute ride was more than likely not enough to get the oil hot enough to bring it up to the full line on the dipstick. Don't add more than four qts. Most of us run 3.5 qts. After a good long ride check your level again.

 

Ok. Thanks for the info. Is the fact that I have almost 4 in there now going to be an issue? Manual says 4 is the capacity? Do I have to mess with draining some at this point or should I be fine?

 

If you come back with the side of your bike covered in oil from blowing out the breather than suck some out. Otherwise no big deal.

 

If your under the full line you should be fine. As had been said, take it for a good long ride and check it when it is really hot. Level should then be at the full line at the most. Worst thing that will happen is you will get oil blown out the breathers thru the air cleaner and make a mess on the right side of your bike.

 

As mentioned, oil level is best when it's about midway up the etching on the engine oil dip stick. If you fill it to the top, no harm done, you just might get a little blow by at the air filter. My rule is I stop at 3 quarts, and start checking. 3.5 usually does it for me.
And don't forget behind the derby cover, bike level, that oil level (Primary) should be like this:

 

3.5 is the most I've added changing the oil. Approx. 1/2 quart remains after draining. Depending on he outside temps it takes about 20 minutes of riding to heat the engine to temperature. I'd keep a check on the oil level. Too much and it'll blow out the air cleaner. If you have to remove oil, don't drain it that will make a heck of a mess. Get a turkey baster or a bulb type battery filler from an auto parts store and suck it out of the fill hole while the engine is cold.

 

I run my bike for a little bit.....less than 5 minutes is fine, to circulate through the new filter. Then I let it sit overnight and check it cold in the am prior to running it. Then if it needs any, I even it up. (Engine oil)

For primary I just put the right amount in it.

For tranny....right amount slowly as I check the level. I will probably check the tranny cold the next day also.

I get a better reading when cold. (imo)

 

It's a common error to assume that the quantity stated in the manual is the exact perfect amount! The correct thing to do is to fill to the mark on the dipstick. What you actually did is just right, in other words put enough oil in to run your bike, go for a ride and then check when you got back. I would have ridden a little further, but that is a small detail.

All the amount in the manual says is have at least that much available before you start, but as you have discovered, your bike wanted a bit more!