I just made my first LONG trip on my 98 convertible,2200 mile round trip,But I have a question... my bike used 2 quarts of oil.Basically a quart every 1000 miles.It now has 32,700 miles on it.Bike runs absolutly flawless, just kinda concerned about the oil consumption.....Do other harleys use oil like this or do I have a problem? There is ZERO leaks anywhere..

 

That seems like a lot of oil loss. Mine does lose oil on long trips, but usually about a quart or so in that distance. I cant find any leaks either. I may have some minor leaks from the oil cooler, but i never see any oil on the ground, or around the motor and oil lines. I'm not sure either.

 

i have a 2000 electra glide with about 40,000 on it, doesn't use oil that bad, barely noticible in fact but i don't push it real hard. My shovelhead on the other hand will probably use a quart or so between the usual leaks and chain oilers. check your plugs for signs of oil use. good luck

 

That's not a bike; it's an oil burner.

 

it may need piston rings have you owned the bike since new and if so have you changed the oil at correct intervals? because if not carbon can build up on you piston rings and allow oil to seep by and burn, also if its ever been ran low on oil it could have scored the jugs and then oil passes through the imperfections in the casting and burns

 

Your alright 1,000 miles a quart is ok .If its not visibly coming out of the pipes or leaking its more than likely either your umbrella valves in the heads are worn and its pushing more oil through the breather through the carb or the rings are a little worn.I'd also check and make sure its not pushing engine oil into the primary through the engine to primary seal.

 

Hmmmmm... ok Well, it doesnt smoke ANY.Pipes do have some black oily sludge inside them.But I thought it was running a tad on the rich side which i belive it is.Had a stage 1 kit put in the carb.
I have only owned the bike for 6-8 months, dont remember,LOL the guy I bought it from apparently NEVER changed the oil in it, according to the local indy that does all the service on it now . I can change the oil, and within a day its already real black.
On that trip,Did notice couple times had some oil drippings out of the bottom of the breather. Not like alot, but there was some. I ran it pretty good...80-90 mph at times, mostly averaged about 75 or so. but there was those times i was in a hurry.
I'm puting a 113 on it next year anyway, but was wondering about the oil consumption right now.
THANKS FELLAS

 

Seems high. I did Sturgis and 4200-mi...not down at all.

 

That seems very high for an Evo engine. The Motor Company considers 1Qt/1000miles to be "acceptable", but it is rare that an engine uses that much oil.

An "oily residue" in the pipes suggests that you have a pretty hefty problem. I would be inclined to say piston rings if you are getting enough oil in the cylinder to not be fully burned off and leave residue in the pipes. I would have expected to see some smoking with that much oil, though.

The oil turning black is perfectly normal. Especially if the previous owner never changed it. Just means that it is doing its job and cleaning out your internals. Keep it changed and your bike will thank you. Gotta wonder that if the P.O. never took care of basic oil changes, what other kind of abuse was committed?

 

The oily residue is more/less from it running rich.I'm starting to think it may be a tad to rich and maybe starting to wash the cylinders down?? Maybe even the high RPM's its turning on the highway could be getting someblowby?The Bike NEVER smokes, weird. I just ran over to KC(240 mile round trip) on it yesterday, again,about 85mph, and had some oil coming out of the breather.....little that is. Is that normal?