Oil Level Question...
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 403
Likes: 44
From: Montana
If you think its overfilled get a thin syringe type unit and sucks some oil out. I don't think a turkey baster will get in there. If its an Ultra it has no oil tank and just the crankcase. Worst case is dump the oil and change it. I wear my gloves when I check it hot. On a 500 mile day ride traveling I do like to check along the way. They need to idle for a couple of minutes so oil pump can pull oil out of top end to get accurate reading. 15 minutes isn't enough time to get "hot" unless its really warm out out........goldie
Last edited by goldie; May 1, 2014 at 09:11 AM. Reason: spelling
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 252
Likes: 2
From: Ontario, Canada
'13 SG. Checking cold in the morning it was 1/2 way up the stick. After a 2 hour ride in hot weather and following the manual and allowing it to idle for 1-2 minutes on the jiffy stand (to scavenge the sump oil back to the tank) it read 1/2 way up the stick. Zero difference between cold and hot for me on multiple cold/hot checks. I only fill to 1/2 way up because when I filled to the full mark hot and then checked it cold it was still full. This led to venting into the air filter. 1/2 way up eliminates almost all of that for me.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 988
Likes: 1
From: Ashevegas
As long as oil level is not above the full mark when hot, don't sweat it. If it is, a turkey baster will work just fine (I've used one once or twice) to remove a little oil. Cold check for mine is half way between the marks on dipstick. Hot check will usually be just a little closer to the full mark.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 3
From: California
I take this as being too full, but if I ride it and it only goes to the 'hot' full mark, is it really overfilled?
Seems pretty simple, I just don't understand the discrepancy of the readings from 'cold' to 'hot'. According to the manuals if the 'cold' reading is in the normal range, then the implication is that when hot, it should be near that mark, but it didn't. Then, once topped off 'hot', the oil should go back down to the normal range of 'cold', but it didn't do that either.
Should I rider the bike as-is and then check the 'hot' and if it's no higher than the 'hot' full mark, leave it alone? Or do you guys think that doesn't matter, that it's more important to get it back down to the middle of the dipstick when 'cold'?
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 876
Likes: 4
From: Waskom, TX
'13 SG. Checking cold in the morning it was 1/2 way up the stick. After a 2 hour ride in hot weather and following the manual and allowing it to idle for 1-2 minutes on the jiffy stand (to scavenge the sump oil back to the tank) it read 1/2 way up the stick. Zero difference between cold and hot for me on multiple cold/hot checks. I only fill to 1/2 way up because when I filled to the full mark hot and then checked it cold it was still full. This led to venting into the air filter. 1/2 way up eliminates almost all of that for me.
No way I'm going to be futzing around checking the oil on a hot air cooled motor.
If it's halfway up the stick when cold, it's good.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 988
Likes: 1
From: Ashevegas
It's fine, just leave it alone. If you notice oil dripping out of the air cleaner take a little out.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: Northern Colorado
Running dino oil. Checked it again this morning 'cold' and it's at the same level as late last night, about two bubbles lower than the 'hot' full mark.
I take this as being too full, but if I ride it and it only goes to the 'hot' full mark, is it really overfilled?
Seems pretty simple, I just don't understand the discrepancy of the readings from 'cold' to 'hot'. According to the manuals if the 'cold' reading is in the normal range, then the implication is that when hot, it should be near that mark, but it didn't. Then, once topped off 'hot', the oil should go back down to the normal range of 'cold', but it didn't do that either.
Should I rider the bike as-is and then check the 'hot' and if it's no higher than the 'hot' full mark, leave it alone? Or do you guys think that doesn't matter, that it's more important to get it back down to the middle of the dipstick when 'cold'?
I take this as being too full, but if I ride it and it only goes to the 'hot' full mark, is it really overfilled?
Seems pretty simple, I just don't understand the discrepancy of the readings from 'cold' to 'hot'. According to the manuals if the 'cold' reading is in the normal range, then the implication is that when hot, it should be near that mark, but it didn't. Then, once topped off 'hot', the oil should go back down to the normal range of 'cold', but it didn't do that either.
Should I rider the bike as-is and then check the 'hot' and if it's no higher than the 'hot' full mark, leave it alone? Or do you guys think that doesn't matter, that it's more important to get it back down to the middle of the dipstick when 'cold'?
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 131
Likes: 12
From: Ottawa, Canada
Let`s not over think this. If it`s between the marks, hot or cold, IT`S GOOD!!!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 4
From: South Carolina
between add and half way for cold check and between half way and full when hot...Wow, man! if this is freekin you out you need to check the alcohol level in your circulatory system and add a couple of 12 oz.