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sportster oil level

drbeard

Member
checked and filled my oil (05 883) as per handbook,rode about 10 miles
and had oil leaking from oil tank filler,should i be checking the oil with
bike upright?
 
drbeard if the bike was sitting for a while some oil might have sump into the engine then if you topped it off before running, went for a ride the extra oil could have pumped back into your oil bag causing a over fill condition, maybe the cap was not on correctly, and there is a difference between hot & cold oil level. Also when you do a oil change the 05 manual calls for 3.6 qts. and I think that was wrong, I think it's only about 3 qts and just add 2.5 qts, at time of change, warm engine fully on a test ride then recheck and top off (on side stand) just below full line, it is also good to add 4oz of oil to the new oil filter before installing.
I'm sure if it was leaking from the fill spout it was over filled.
Checking Oil With Cold Engine
1. Position motorcycle so that it is leaning on jiffy stand.
2. Remove filler cap. See Removing and Replacing Oil
Filler Cap above. Wipe attached dipstick clean. Reinstall
oil filler cap in tank.
3. Remove oil filler cap again and check oil level on dipstick.
Dipstick has two marks. If oil level is at or
below lower mark, add only enough oil to bring the
level to a point between the two arrows on the dipstick.
Replace filler cap.
Checking Oil With Warm Engine
1. Run engine until engine oil is at normal operating temperature.
Turn engine off.
2. Position motorcycle so that it is leaning on jiffy stand.
3. Remove filler cap. See Removing and Replacing Oil
Filler Cap above. Wipe attached dipstick clean. Reinstall
oil filler cap in tank.
4. Remove filler cap again and check warm oil level on dipstick.
Dipstick has two marks. If oil level
in tank is at or below lower mark, add one quart (0.946
liter) of Harley-Davidson oil to tank. Replace filler cap.
5. If you added oil in step 4, remove filler cap and verify correct
engine oil level in oil tank. Do not fill oil tank to the
level above upper mark on dipstick. Replace filler cap
 
One other thing, don't forget to check the neoprene hoses and fittings to the oil tank, as well as the external oiling lines near the lower frame...low maintenance does not mean "neglect 'em"...! :s
 
nice follow up Chop its been yrs since i had a sporty but i always did mine upright and thanks for clarification on the oil quanity
Me too, I think it was 04 when they went rubber mount and the engines got that Buell technology thrown in the mix they changed from upright to side stand oil checks. Also seen a few new bikes come from the factory with the plastic oil bag seam leaking like you taked about.
 
Quite honestly, never cared for "plastic" oil bag...probably expensive, but does someone make a better heavier duty one...just a mental thing, as it was so refreshing to ride a bike with more "mettle per cubic inch" than metrics!:D
 
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