I changed out my oil and filter earlier. I have an FXDSE2 and changed over to amsoil. These engines hold 4 quarts right? Thats what it says in the service manual supplement. Well, pouring the used oil into a jug I noticed that only about two quarts drained. This is with the oil out fo the old filter as well. And I only had to add about two quarts to get it full again. Whats up with that? I know that you probably arent going to get a full 4 quarts in with a wet oil change but dang it should be alot more than 2.

 

My new FLTRSE3 has an oil cooler, but not sure if yours does. Could at least some of the oil be in the cooler?
Just a guess, man.

 

No oil cooler. This is bothering the hell out of me. It just doesnt make sense. How does a motorcycle, which says in the book holds 4 quarts, which indicated was full on the dipstick, drain only two quarts including what was in the filter? You dont need to loosen the oil filter the same time as the oil is draining do you? Would not doing so somehow impede the draining of some oil? I took out the plug and was going to take off the filter but discovered I had the wrong freakin oil filter wrench, so while it was draining I went and got another oil filter wrench. I cant remember if I put the plug back in again before I removed the filter. Doesnt seem like it would matter. I know I had the oil fill cap off.

 

Did you run the bike up to operating temp and then drain immediately? Or did the bike sit for awhile before you removed oil the drain plug?

 

Took it for a quick drive. The oil wasnt "hot" but was pretty warm. It did sit for about 5 minutes before I started draining.

 

Your bike is a Softail, right? If it is on the sidestand, it is leaning left. And the oil drains from the right side of the oil bag. So, when the oil stops draining, lean the bike to the right and see how much more oil you get out.

 

No, its a dyna. Oil drain is on the left side.

 

My Softail owners book show a capacity of 3 quarts in the "oil tank with filter".

I don't know about your specific model though.

You might check out this link. I don't know if this is "sales" or some truth to it. There is a video demo on the right side of the page. According to these guys....some oil remains in the sump & passages. Again, I couldn't tell you if this accurate or not....but something to think about.

http://www.roguechopper.com/about.htm

 

Yeah, I know the 96's call for 3 quarts. I have the service manual for the SE 110 and it says 4 quarts with filter. My buddy was like are you sure? I showed him myself. If that was a typo, that would be one hell of a typo.