how much oil typically drains...
#1
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...out during an oil change on a 1200?
Did a change a few months back and if memory serves correctly, I added oil to the new filter, then poured three qts into the oil tank. Afterward, I filled the three empty bottles and had about 1/4-1/2 qt left in my pan that I qas able to add to another container all for diaposal.
Well, it was time for another change. I check the oil regularly and it was still reading good when I started the change yesterday. I drained rhe oil til no more came out. I pulled off the filter, spilling a little out. After it was empty, I added oil to the new filter installed it then began pouring oil in the tank.
After 3 qts total, it looked fuul. Took a reading...was a tad high. I fired her up and let her run a minute. Checked again.same thing. Went for a ride 15-20 mins checked, same.
Then I went to pour the old oil into the empty bottles for disposal. Filled 2 3/4 bottles after draining the filter
So I pulled out juat under 3 and put in 3 exactly.
Something just doesn't feel right. I know I opened and used part of the 4th bottle on the last change because it is still sitting on my shelf.,.but this time, I only needed three.
Am I missing something? Is this normal? This is only the second change I have done myself on this bike so this might be normal, I dont know, what are your experiences?
Did a change a few months back and if memory serves correctly, I added oil to the new filter, then poured three qts into the oil tank. Afterward, I filled the three empty bottles and had about 1/4-1/2 qt left in my pan that I qas able to add to another container all for diaposal.
Well, it was time for another change. I check the oil regularly and it was still reading good when I started the change yesterday. I drained rhe oil til no more came out. I pulled off the filter, spilling a little out. After it was empty, I added oil to the new filter installed it then began pouring oil in the tank.
After 3 qts total, it looked fuul. Took a reading...was a tad high. I fired her up and let her run a minute. Checked again.same thing. Went for a ride 15-20 mins checked, same.
Then I went to pour the old oil into the empty bottles for disposal. Filled 2 3/4 bottles after draining the filter
So I pulled out juat under 3 and put in 3 exactly.
Something just doesn't feel right. I know I opened and used part of the 4th bottle on the last change because it is still sitting on my shelf.,.but this time, I only needed three.
Am I missing something? Is this normal? This is only the second change I have done myself on this bike so this might be normal, I dont know, what are your experiences?
#3
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Rob Roy's Revenge (09-10-2021)
#4
![Default](https://www.hdforums.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
...out during an oil change on a 1200?
Did a change a few months back and if memory serves correctly, I added oil to the new filter, then poured three qts into the oil tank. Afterward, I filled the three empty bottles and had about 1/4-1/2 qt left in my pan that I qas able to add to another container all for diaposal.
Well, it was time for another change. I check the oil regularly and it was still reading good when I started the change yesterday. I drained rhe oil til no more came out. I pulled off the filter, spilling a little out. After it was empty, I added oil to the new filter installed it then began pouring oil in the tank.
After 3 qts total, it looked fuul. Took a reading...was a tad high. I fired her up and let her run a minute. Checked again.same thing. Went for a ride 15-20 mins checked, same.
Then I went to pour the old oil into the empty bottles for disposal. Filled 2 3/4 bottles after draining the filter
So I pulled out juat under 3 and put in 3 exactly.
Something just doesn't feel right. I know I opened and used part of the 4th bottle on the last change because it is still sitting on my shelf.,.but this time, I only needed three.
Am I missing something? Is this normal? This is only the second change I have done myself on this bike so this might be normal, I dont know, what are your experiences?
Did a change a few months back and if memory serves correctly, I added oil to the new filter, then poured three qts into the oil tank. Afterward, I filled the three empty bottles and had about 1/4-1/2 qt left in my pan that I qas able to add to another container all for diaposal.
Well, it was time for another change. I check the oil regularly and it was still reading good when I started the change yesterday. I drained rhe oil til no more came out. I pulled off the filter, spilling a little out. After it was empty, I added oil to the new filter installed it then began pouring oil in the tank.
After 3 qts total, it looked fuul. Took a reading...was a tad high. I fired her up and let her run a minute. Checked again.same thing. Went for a ride 15-20 mins checked, same.
Then I went to pour the old oil into the empty bottles for disposal. Filled 2 3/4 bottles after draining the filter
So I pulled out juat under 3 and put in 3 exactly.
Something just doesn't feel right. I know I opened and used part of the 4th bottle on the last change because it is still sitting on my shelf.,.but this time, I only needed three.
Am I missing something? Is this normal? This is only the second change I have done myself on this bike so this might be normal, I dont know, what are your experiences?
#5
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Yes there are oil galleries inside the motor that hold onto some of the old oil, you need oil to be up in the valve gear for the initial restart after the oil has been changed, if you don't have any oil up there it will be metal against metal and expensive damage will occur inside the motor.
Just put the recommended amount of oil into the tank and take it for a ride round the block, check the oil level again and if it's below the middle of the dipstick add more oil until it half way up.
If the motorcycle has been stood idle for a long time, due to the effect of gravity oil can drain past the oil pump and collect in the bottom of the motor, that's called wet sumping. If your motor has wet sumped and you top up the oil tank, it can give a false reading with the first dip, that's why you need to take it for a ride so that the pump can return the oil from the bottom of the motor back into the tank.
Never overfill the tank with oil, any excess oil will be ejected through the head breather bolts and make a mess of your oil filter.
Just put the recommended amount of oil into the tank and take it for a ride round the block, check the oil level again and if it's below the middle of the dipstick add more oil until it half way up.
If the motorcycle has been stood idle for a long time, due to the effect of gravity oil can drain past the oil pump and collect in the bottom of the motor, that's called wet sumping. If your motor has wet sumped and you top up the oil tank, it can give a false reading with the first dip, that's why you need to take it for a ride so that the pump can return the oil from the bottom of the motor back into the tank.
Never overfill the tank with oil, any excess oil will be ejected through the head breather bolts and make a mess of your oil filter.
#6
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I drain the warm/hot oil on the side stand until no more comes out, then sitting on the bike I lean the bike over towards it's right side for 10-15 seconds or so and then back on the side stand a couple of times. Probably get another cup or so of oil out of the tank doing that. The times I have poured the used oil back in the bottles, I'd say I end up with 2 3/4 quarts. Some was burned, some is still in the motor.
Reinstall the drain plug, pour in 3 quarts of oil which puts it at the full mark, done. Never had a single issue with oil in the air cleaner. Then move on to the filter.
Reinstall the drain plug, pour in 3 quarts of oil which puts it at the full mark, done. Never had a single issue with oil in the air cleaner. Then move on to the filter.
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Iron Horse 13 (09-11-2021)
#7
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Yes there are oil galleries inside the motor that hold onto some of the old oil, you need oil to be up in the valve gear for the initial restart after the oil has been changed, if you don't have any oil up there it will be metal against metal and expensive damage will occur inside the motor.
Just put the recommended amount of oil into the tank and take it for a ride round the block, check the oil level again and if it's below the middle of the dipstick add more oil until it half way up.
If the motorcycle has been stood idle for a long time, due to the effect of gravity oil can drain past the oil pump and collect in the bottom of the motor, that's called wet sumping. If your motor has wet sumped and you top up the oil tank, it can give a false reading with the first dip, that's why you need to take it for a ride so that the pump can return the oil from the bottom of the motor back into the tank.
Never overfill the tank with oil, any excess oil will be ejected through the head breather bolts and make a mess of your air filter.
Just put the recommended amount of oil into the tank and take it for a ride round the block, check the oil level again and if it's below the middle of the dipstick add more oil until it half way up.
If the motorcycle has been stood idle for a long time, due to the effect of gravity oil can drain past the oil pump and collect in the bottom of the motor, that's called wet sumping. If your motor has wet sumped and you top up the oil tank, it can give a false reading with the first dip, that's why you need to take it for a ride so that the pump can return the oil from the bottom of the motor back into the tank.
Never overfill the tank with oil, any excess oil will be ejected through the head breather bolts and make a mess of your air filter.
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#8
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LowSpeeeJames (09-13-2021)
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firehawk6 (09-11-2021)
#10