I read many different theories over checking the oil cold / hot, bike level / on side kick ... Well The problem I had with white smoke resolved itself with draining a bit of oil since it was to the full line when cold , so definitely overfilled ! Now, bike cold level is below half way mark, if I check it after a long ride, level reads to the max line. Is that amount of expansion normal ?? I read some guys have no difference at all ( may be twin cam are different though). What's your experience / opinion on this ? Oil was fresh when I bought it not long ago and I don't know which grade or brand they used ! Thx guys.

 

You may be sumping it, not expanding it. That is, the oil drains from the tank down into the cases past the check ball valve in the oil pump. Thus, when "cold," that is, it's been sitting a while, some oil has drained into the case. Starting it up pumps the oil out of the case back to the tank and now the tanks reads full. Try checking the oil "cold," then start it and let it idle a minute or so, turn it off and check again. The oil won't be hot at that point and there will be effectively zero expansion. Not that it expands much when hot anyway. There's maths for that.

 

I guess that's why you need to check level on a hot engine then !

 

Very true! If you don't have the owners manual for your bike you may be able to download one from the H-D website - go to the Owners tab. Over the years the instructions for checking oil have changed, also may not be the same for every model, so its worth checking the correct book.

 

EVO softails you check with the bike upright.

I would love to see a picture of your dipstick that has all those markings on it.
The ones I've seen for EVO softails just has one mark about 1/4" off the bottom.
I always guessed that was the low mark as when you fill the tank it should be just below the level of the bottom of the filler neck (takes about 2.5 quarts).

As previously mentioned always check oil level hot.

 

I have never seen any other group of vehicle owners that make such a big deal out of checking oil as Harley owners...it is a motorcycle...not the space shuttle.

I have had my first Harley for over 25 years ..and during that time...I have never checked it hot...or upright...or any of the other stupid chit people say you need to do.

Do an oil change on the bike after riding it...make sure you get all the oil out of the tank...on most bikes this will require leaning the bike over while draining.

Now put the correct amount of oil in it according to the FSM...now run it to get the filter full...park your bike in its normal spot...and check the oil...cold and on the stand...make a mental note of where it is on the stick...this is where you want it before a ride.

On an EVO or older bike...if you check it and it is really low after sitting for a while...always assume it sumped...and run it some and check again before adding oil.

 

Tom,
When you put the dip stick in the oil tank, do you recommend putting it in until it seats and then giving it a little twist, like, 15 degrees clockwise, or do you just put the dip stick in flush and not twist it? Is 15 degrees the correct amount? I met a guy at the dealer BBQ that said 25 degrees was the proper amount, and he even went anti-clockwise, but that's just crazy talk.

 

LOL Doc

 

maybe its clockwise here but counterclockwise south of the equator. Badcooky would know.