1. After 20+ years it's time to pass the torch. If you are interested in acquiring this forum please contact support@cv-performance.com for details. Any spam will be reported and blocked.
  2. Welcome to Bike Talk, a forum for all bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts. If you are new to Bike Talk, be sure to register for free and join the conversation.

    There's always someone around willing to help out with questions or give a friendly wave back. All Harley and metric riders are welcome.
Bike Talk Motorcycle Forum is For Sale Welcome to Bike Talk

Another oil question

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by RoadKingBlack2010, Sep 5, 2010.

  1. RoadKingBlack2010

    RoadKingBlack2010 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2010
    Messages:
    55
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    VA
    This is my first Harley and I have always had Hondas. Why does the engine have to be warmed up when checking the oil. And does it have to be running when you check it. I always thought that the engine should be cold when checking. That way its in the pan and you can tell exactly how much you have. Wouldn't it be up in the motor with it warm and you could not get a accurate reading?:confused:
    RoadKingBlack2010, Sep 5, 2010
    #1
  3. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2006
    Messages:
    9,926
    Likes Received:
    50
    Location:
    Alvin TX
    your owners manual should have the info in it , My 03 can be checked cold or hot , but never running. cold about have way up the the stick & hot a little higher ,i'ed have to read the book again
    cowboy, Sep 5, 2010
    #2
  4. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2008
    Messages:
    3,861
    Likes Received:
    102
    Location:
    Cape Breton NS,Canada
    The oil won't be up in the engine warm...you check it with the engine off and leave the bike on the side stand.
    What you can do is check the oil warm after a day of riding and see that it's at the full mark or just a little below, then in the morning check it cold and mark that spot on your dipstick to give you a full cold reading,like cowboy said, cold level should be about half way between the add and full mark.
    I suppose the reason HD has a warm oil check is it would give you more opportunity throughout the day to check oil levels rather than just first thing before you start it or after it sat long enough to get cold.
    Lucifer, Sep 6, 2010
    #3
  5. alex the dog

    alex the dog Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2010
    Messages:
    1,336
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Buena Vista, CO
    I just changed the oil in my '08 StreetGlide, and it only needed 3 1/2 qts to reach top of dip stick after warm-up. Manual says 4 qts. and I've been putting in 4 full qts. before. Can that be over filling the motor?
    alex the dog, Sep 6, 2010
    #4
  6. JohnnyBiker

    JohnnyBiker Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    Messages:
    9,568
    Likes Received:
    205
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Did you do a filter change as well? The oil filter holds about 1/2 quart.
    JohnnyBiker, Sep 6, 2010
    #5
  7. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2006
    Messages:
    9,926
    Likes Received:
    50
    Location:
    Alvin TX
    Alex jonny right in asking , did you cahnde the filter ? My 03 E Glide also call's for 4qt with filter & it's always right on the mark ,you should always change the filter when changing your oil
    cowboy, Sep 7, 2010
    #6
  8. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2004
    Messages:
    13,682
    Likes Received:
    584
    Location:
    Mouseville USA
    All HD''s are dry sump oil systems.
    So when you turn off the bike the oil in the engine (not a ton but there is some)
    sits there, and on some bikes like softails if the checkball in the return doesn't seat
    properly you can get gravity to pull oil into the cam chest.

    So you want to start it and get it warm and circulating so the max
    amount of oil is in the pan, and thus the reading showing the real
    amount of oil

    Otherwise you could potentially overfill which is not good.
    hotroadking, Sep 7, 2010
    #7
  9. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2008
    Messages:
    3,861
    Likes Received:
    102
    Location:
    Cape Breton NS,Canada
    And the correct answer is....


    Lucifer, Sep 7, 2010
    #8
  10. TopKat

    TopKat New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2008
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    San Diego
    Also keep in mind that Dyna's have to be on the side stand to get a proper reading hot or cold. I think dressers have to be upright. Am I right on that guys?
    TopKat, Sep 7, 2010
    #9
  11. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2006
    Messages:
    9,926
    Likes Received:
    50
    Location:
    Alvin TX
    My 03 E glide says side stand to check the oil
    cowboy, Sep 7, 2010
    #10
  12. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2004
    Messages:
    13,682
    Likes Received:
    584
    Location:
    Mouseville USA
    Baggers on stand, I think it's softails upright or it used to be...
    hotroadking, Sep 8, 2010
    #11
  13. fxdxriderleo

    fxdxriderleo Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2007
    Messages:
    291
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Earlville, NY
    Upright is for the transmission on the Dyna's, side stand for engine.
    fxdxriderleo, Sep 8, 2010
    #12
  14. alex the dog

    alex the dog Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2010
    Messages:
    1,336
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Buena Vista, CO
    I ran the motor for awhile and checked it after it sat for 15 min. (on side stand). Yes, I ALWAYS change the filter with oil changes, but this motor has a wet sump (oil pan) on the underside--no oil tank like Softails or Sportsters. Dipstick showed full with 3.5 qts.
    alex the dog, Sep 8, 2010
    #13
  15. sarge7

    sarge7 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2009
    Messages:
    1,738
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    NE Indiana
    It's still a dry sump engine - the oil pan is mounted just behind the cases. Check your SM for a diagram on the oil system.
    sarge7, Sep 8, 2010
    #14
  16. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    Messages:
    18,516
    Likes Received:
    252
    Location:
    Oregon
    Checking Oil Level on A Softail:
    Ride motorcycle until engine is warmed up to operating temperature, then do the following:
    1. Idle motorcycle on jiffy stand for 1-2 minutes.

    2. Shut motorcycle off and leave motorcycle resting on jiffy stand.

    3. See Fig. 1-2. Check oil level on dipstick. If necessary, add oil until oil registers at upper groove on dipstick. Do not overfill oil tank.

    Fig. 1-2. Checking the Engine

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Sep 8, 2010
    FLHTbiker, Sep 8, 2010
    #15
  17. cardboard

    cardboard Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2007
    Messages:
    11,459
    Likes Received:
    56
    Location:
    Lake Livingston, Tx.
    The HD dealers on the 08 and up touring bikes puts 4 quarts in the bikes.....
    I got 40,000 on my bike doing just that..................
    cardboard, Sep 8, 2010
    #16

Share This Page

XenPorta © Jason Axelrod from 8WAYRUN.COM