Having just bought our first Harley and putting about 2k miles on it since it's 5k service, I notice that it is about 1/2 qt, low. Is this about normal? It has no drips or leaks.

 

Is that the first time you've checked your oil? You need to leave it that low (if you check it cold) or it'll be blowing it into your breather.

Don't sweat it. It'll probably be the same level when you do the 10K.

 

I was checking before each ride (cold), when I saw that I was not leaking or burning it, I eased off a bit and when I checked it this time, it was about a 1/2 qt low. Good to no!

 

Did you check the oil level when it was changed? If you did and it was full and now you have used 1/2 a quart in 2k miles that is a bit over the the average IMHO, but not excessive. Even if it goes down to a qt low at 4000 miles I would not be concerned nor would I add any oil if you change at 5k miles.

 

To the best of my remembrance, when I took procession of the bike at the 5k service, the oil level was right to the top line on a cold engine. Now it shows 1/2 qt low. Perhaps I'm wrong..?? I'll keep a better eye on it!

 

I see you have a 2005. I would read both spark plugs. You probably have bad valve guide seals on one or both cylinders. That was a problem on some 05 and early 06 models. I had to replace seals on the rear cylinder. Since then no oil consumption.

 

Wonderful...

 

Check your oil at operating temp, every fill up for the next 10 fill ups, let us know what the level is doing. When you say it was full when you got it, cold dod you mean at the top hash mark on the stick? if so, I'd say it was over full!

 

Correct, top hash mark.

 

It was cold especially, it was over full, prolly blew it out the breather hose. I like mine half way between the hash marks when at operating temp.