I have an 05 Heritage, had the 1000 mile service done awhile ago and at 2200 miles had to put a quart of oil in her, thought maybe they didn't top it off at the service and brought it to their attention, service manager said to keep an eye on it, now at 2900 miles had to put a little over half a quart in. It is not burning oil and there is no evidence of any leaks, someone on another forum said his did that until he had 4000 miles on the bike, don't know if this is true or not!!! If the bike is using the oil, where in the hay is it going!!! Sure would like to get to the bottom of this without losing the bike while they try to figure it out!!

 

A new Harley shouldn't be using oil at this rate. My 2005 has never used any with 5600 miles on it so far. I'd just run the f--- out of it, try to break it, and it might just do it some good...or you can get some warranty service....or just keep putting oil in it. In any case, I wouldn't put up with it. Something is wrong.

 

Have you looked at your plugs? I've seen 'em use a bit of oil without smoking enough for most people to notice. Other place to look is inside your ail cleaner where the breathers end up. It could be blowing past the umbrella valves and going into the combustion chambers.

 

I would think to use that much oil in the last 700 miles, the rings either have to be not fully seated, or something way off on the fitment at the factory of the piston ring end gap or something along that line, maybe a bad valve stem seal. Something is using that oil.

John TN

 

I had the big bore kit installed at my 1000 mi service and used a quart in about 700 miles. I just figured it was due to the new rings seating in. If it continues after the 2500 mile service then I will start to wonder what is happening also. I would think you should have more than enough miles for it to have stopped by now. If it continues you should get it looked at.

Steve

 

Thanks for the replys, there are a few guys on the Harley Tech Talk forum with the same problem, one guy says his used oil like that until about 5000 miles and doesn't use a drop anymore, Anyway I am stopping by the dealer this week for the second time to keep them informed and see what they have to say. Where does the oil go?? just dissipate in the engine??? or what??? Everything else looks fine on the bike. Thanks again!!!

 

On a new ring ,the edge is not square where it contacts the cyl wall,it is at a taper.This makes it wear in faster. The ring is not fully seated till the edge is worn completely flat where it contacts the cyl wall.It is more likely to leak cyl pressure while the edge is wearing in.That's why alot of people do not recommend synthetic oils before the seating is completed due to the less friction slowing the wear process.A new eng is machined as cast and the alum. expands and contracts during heat cycles,so when the eng is hot the machined sufaces will move around.When the eng wears itself in it will still be seated hot.Some oil can be going out the ex pipes from ring blowby and some could be lost as vapors through the breather system.