Oil level guidance needed.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
Don't over-think this matter, and don't give a dipstick too much credit.
The purpose of oil is to lubricate the engine. As long as there is oil being pumped around, you're basically good.
Yes, you can have problems with too much oil, or not enough. But those are when you're at the way too much or way too little end of the scale. Those points are not measured precisely by the marks on the dipstick. Those marks just give an indication of when you're heading towards those ends.
None the less, if you'd feel better using a turkey baster to suck the excess oil out, have at it. No harm will come from doing it.
The purpose of oil is to lubricate the engine. As long as there is oil being pumped around, you're basically good.
Yes, you can have problems with too much oil, or not enough. But those are when you're at the way too much or way too little end of the scale. Those points are not measured precisely by the marks on the dipstick. Those marks just give an indication of when you're heading towards those ends.
None the less, if you'd feel better using a turkey baster to suck the excess oil out, have at it. No harm will come from doing it.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 14
From: washington dc
There's an informative oil level post by DK Custom. Find and read. Many of us run oil below the hot full line because of oil spewing from custom air cleaner covers. I don't think that's an issue with OEM or many designs using the football cover.
Check hot. If above the hot line, I'd get out the baster.
Check hot. If above the hot line, I'd get out the baster.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 191
From: Boise, Idaho
Don't over-think this matter, and don't give a dipstick too much credit.
The purpose of oil is to lubricate the engine. As long as there is oil being pumped around, you're basically good.
Yes, you can have problems with too much oil, or not enough. But those are when you're at the way too much or way too little end of the scale. Those points are not measured precisely by the marks on the dipstick. Those marks just give an indication of when you're heading towards those ends.
None the less, if you'd feel better using a turkey baster to suck the excess oil out, have at it. No harm will come from doing it.
The purpose of oil is to lubricate the engine. As long as there is oil being pumped around, you're basically good.
Yes, you can have problems with too much oil, or not enough. But those are when you're at the way too much or way too little end of the scale. Those points are not measured precisely by the marks on the dipstick. Those marks just give an indication of when you're heading towards those ends.
None the less, if you'd feel better using a turkey baster to suck the excess oil out, have at it. No harm will come from doing it.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 992
Likes: 2
From: TN
Lol...that is the damn truth
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 348
Likes: 7
From: Idaho
Yep, stick to the manual. Service techs are often afflicted with amnesia when asked to repeat what they previously said. On a side note, once I put an oil cooler on there is very little difference between hot and cold level. Guess the oil coolers really work.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 168
Likes: 6
From: Parker, CO
Thanks for the advice. Here is what I am going with. I will take for a 10-15 mile ride and get it warmed up and check the level again. If it is where it should be....then cool. If not I will get out the turkey baster........and just for the record, and I should have mentioned it, yes it is synthetic oil, so as stated in a previous post it handles the heat better and may not be an issue.
Thanks for all of the words of wisdom. I would have never thought of the turkey baster idea.
Thanks for all of the words of wisdom. I would have never thought of the turkey baster idea.