05 1200r not quite yet at the 1000 break in. I went for a nice 100 mile cruise yesterday to enjoy the weather. When I got home I figured it was prudent to check my oil. To my horror the dipstick was totally dry. I could see oil in the tank but it was just under the stick.

Today I make a stop at the dealer to buy some HD 20w50 to put in after work. Manual says if oil level is low when bike is warm to put a quart in. I dump a quart into the now cold bike and check the level again. Now the oil level is almost to the full mark which I understand to be way too much on a cold bike.

Manual says to only fill a cold bike so the level reaches the low mark on the stick so I suck the excess out until it is reads at the bottom of this stick.

My question is why would yesterday it would appear that the bike needed a full quart, where as today I sucked back out over half of what I poured in? I'm sure that I'm not reading something right here because shouldn't the oil level be higher in a hot bike? Am I supposed to wait a few minutes or something before checking? This seems like HD service preschool but I would hate to grenade this thing before it's even broken in. Thanks in a advance.

Ryan

Best time to check it is right after a ride Sometimes the oil will drain down into the sump overnight and the level on the stick won't be accurate. If you're worried about the level not being high enough to warm it up, like you said, you saw oil in the tank. Run it for thirty seconds and that will scavenge the sump and pump the oil into the tank. Now check it and fill it to the safe area between the marks. Then just remember to check it RIGHT after a ride, or when you stop for gas, etc. You don't want to wait as with a car.

I don't have much to add since dabronco helped you out just fine, but I will say you're not an idiot. I've heard of a couple of the guys overfilling only to blow the dipstick off and get the bike and their leg covered with oil. You done good by asking. :)

:roflblack only to blow the dipstick off You say that like it was a bad thing!

:roflblack You're killing me!!! You dirty old man you....

Thanks for the tips. Basically half a quart put me right back where it was supposed to be. I'm happy again.

I've heard of a couple of the guys overfilling only to blow the dipstick off and get the bike and their leg covered with oil. You done good by asking. :)

Is that common? That happened when I picked up the Sporty. Problem was my buddy was taking the scooter to my house for me, my foot was still in a cast.

NOt a problem if it was your buddies leg that got oiled... :roflblack :smoke

I have an 05 1200R, too, and have to add 1/2 quart every 200-300 miles. I read something here about bad valve seals on 05s.

I have an 05 1200R, too, and have to add 1/2 quart every 200-300 miles. I read something here about bad valve seals on 05s.

Yes, there are bad valve seals on 05's and early 06's. If you are adding 1/2 a quart every 200-300 miles, then you should get it fixed under warranty. The MoCo designed new valve seals. The bad ones had a silver ring with black rubber material. First batch of fixes has green ring with black rubber material. At the end of august they should have yet another version with an orange head and black rubber material.

I have an 05 1200R, too, and have to add 1/2 quart every 200-300 miles. I read something here about bad valve seals on 05s.

It shouldn't be using much unless you aren't broken in yet. Then it tends to use some.

05 1200r not quite yet at the 1000 break in. I went for a nice 100 mile cruise yesterday to enjoy the weather. When I got home I figured it was prudent to check my oil. To my horror the dipstick was totally dry. I could see oil in the tank but it was just under the stick.

Today I make a stop at the dealer to buy some HD 20w50 to put in after work. Manual says if oil level is low when bike is warm to put a quart in. I dump a quart into the now cold bike and check the level again. Now the oil level is almost to the full mark which I understand to be way too much on a cold bike.

Manual says to only fill a cold bike so the level reaches the low mark on the stick so I suck the excess out until it is reads at the bottom of this stick.

My question is why would yesterday it would appear that the bike needed a full quart, where as today I sucked back out over half of what I poured in? I'm sure that I'm not reading something right here because shouldn't the oil level be higher in a hot bike? Am I supposed to wait a few minutes or something before checking? This seems like HD service preschool but I would hate to grenade this thing before it's even broken in. Thanks in a advance.

Ryan

While at first at may seem that the bike needed a full quart, (under the low line on the dip stick when warm) you need to remember that the cold oil you are adding will also expand. Generally I have found that 1/3 over the low level when cold will result in the correct level when warm. If you add cold oil to at a too low level check when warm, add only a small amount, ride some more, then, repeat until full.

If yuo overfill it, you will not grenade it, but you will have a stream of oil overflowing from the dipstick.