More than a little off topic but here's a recent, "true" , funny story:

I work overseas so when I'm away my Mrs does the lawn. This spring she decided she'd better check the oil in our new Toro mower before starting it and found it "gasp" low on oil. She topped it up and happily mowed the lawn for 2 months until I returned home.

I get home, hear the story, check the oil and its full all right, right up to the top of the stick !! The hash marks, of course only occupy the tip of the stick about 5 inches below my wife's decided "full" point.

Apparently the Toro always started and worked great when full to the brim and still does now that I've adjusted the oil level. "Go Toro" !!

 

I have a different theory on this hot versus cold check. I doubt the oil would expand enough to make any difference on the dipstick. These bikes have a dry sump oil system so it matters where the oil is in the system when you check it. If the oil is hot it means the engine has been run in the last while so there is no way of knowing if it's drained back to it's natural static level. If it's cold it's had time to do that.

 

thanks men for all the input on the issue.... first harley, have ridden all the others...this harley thing is fun, as all my harley friends said it would be

 

thanks to a sr. member

 

Hot/cold makes zero difference. Whoever wrote that in the manual needs the dipstick up their hinney. Does you car/truck change being hot or cold? NO. Just don't do like some idiots I know that will back their car out of the garage then check the oil. You NEVER start a cold engine, shut if off than check the oil

 

That is correct.