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[TallyClassic]

On my ride this past weekend I noticed that my oil pressure was nearly at zero.  I know this has been discussed a thousand times, but this is different.  My oil pressure has always been 35 at cruise, 15 at idle.  I felt good thinking I had an oil pump installed right.  Oil level ok.
But this weekend, it seemed to be about 5-7lbs at idle and 20-25 at cruise.  A big difference!
This is an '05 SEEG, 15,000miles and is due for its oil change.  Bike is still under warranty, dealer offered to pressure check it.

What else should I be checking?
     I'll check crankcase oil for debris  (cam shoes?)  Does the plastic float?
     Check oil that comes out of the filter.  How do you get the filter apart, hacksaw??
     I really worry about the cam shoes.  No other way to check except pulling cam cover?
     Will just a plugged filter, going on bypass cause this change?

Should I even worry at all?
 

[hd-dude]

The pressure numbers you are currently getting are with the "normal" range. It is a bit of a concern that you have a sudden change. You cam shoes could be going and some of the debris could have got into the oil pump cuasing scoring which will lessen its effectiveness. Pulling the cam cover is the best way to tell although you really can't get a good look at the rear one which typically shows more wear.

Here is a link to to a thread on inspection the oil filter for shoe particles:
http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php/topic,3166.0.html

Good luck and let us know what you find.

[mr_magoo]

When you change the oil cut the filter open and see whats inside.

[Bagger]

Had this same challenge on my 02 Ultra.  Only real challenge I ever had with that thing.  Oil pressure dropped to 0 and the light came on.  On tear down, the mechanic found a piece of RTV blocking an oil passage.  Never had the problem again after he fixed it..............but I now find myself constantly monitoring my oil pressure.

[EZRIDN]

On my ride this past weekend I noticed that my oil pressure was nearly at zero.  I know this has been discussed a thousand times, but this is different.  My oil pressure has always been 35 at cruise, 15 at idle.  I felt good thinking I had an oil pump installed right.  Oil level ok.
But this weekend, it seemed to be about 5-7lbs at idle and 20-25 at cruise.  A big difference!
This is an '05 SEEG, 15,000miles and is due for its oil change.  Bike is still under warranty, dealer offered to pressure check it.

What else should I be checking?
     I'll check crankcase oil for debris  (cam shoes?)  Does the plastic float?
     Check oil that comes out of the filter.  How do you get the filter apart, hacksaw??
     I really worry about the cam shoes.  No other way to check except pulling cam cover?
     Will just a plugged filter, going on bypass cause this change?

Should I even worry at all?
 

Just curious, what kind of oil are you using and what weight?  If regular petrol based, and you have a lot of miles on it...its possible that it could be "thinned."  If you are running a full synthetic...then forget the question.  Also, if not running synthetic, now would be a good time to consider it....lots of good threads out there on this topic.   Regardless, follow up w/mr_magoo's advice and see what's inside the filter.  If you see some shoe particles then you could have some blockage somewhere.  If no increase in pressure after you do the oil/filter change...then it's time to get to the shop for a deeper look.   

Good luck...hope it's nothing serious.

[TallyClassic]

Here's the oil filter result:
Yes, I'm using synthetic.  Mobil1 15-50 with about 6000 miles on it.
Drained crankcase oil, no metal bits, no plastic.
Tore open the filter, stretched it out.  No metal at all.  Tiny, tiny flecks of yellow-orange plastic.  Actually the size is smaller than a grain of beach sand or greeting card glitter.  Really small and very random, I counted probably 10 flecks.  No chunks.

I think the pump is good, we'll see how it goes with a new filter and oil.
Just one of those things I guess.

[Fired00d]

Here's the oil filter result:
Yes, I'm using synthetic.  Mobil1 15-50 with about 6000 miles on it.
Drained crankcase oil, no metal bits, no plastic.
Tore open the filter, stretched it out.  No metal at all.  Tiny, tiny flecks of yellow-orange plastic.  Actually the size is smaller than a grain of beach sand or greeting card glitter.  Really small and very random, I counted probably 10 flecks.  No chunks.

I think the pump is good, we'll see how it goes with a new filter and oil.
Just one of those things I guess.

Those tiny flecks of yellow-orange plastic sound like the cam chain tensioners. The sight of those and the abnormal oil pressure drop could be early warning signs that they are beginning to fail and parts of them are getting places other then the filter and doing damage. Others here may be able to give you more information but I would think this may be cause for concern.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Midnight Rider]

Here's the oil filter result:
Yes, I'm using synthetic.  Mobil1 15-50 with about 6000 miles on it.
Drained crankcase oil, no metal bits, no plastic.
Tore open the filter, stretched it out.  No metal at all.  Tiny, tiny flecks of yellow-orange plastic.  Actually the size is smaller than a grain of beach sand or greeting card glitter.  Really small and very random, I counted probably 10 flecks.  No chunks.

I think the pump is good, we'll see how it goes with a new filter and oil.
Just one of those things I guess.

T...are you using Mobil I Vtwin 20w50, or are you using an automobile formulation?  The Vtwin oil is specially formulated for air cooled V's, the car oil is not.

[TallyClassic]

whoops....20-50  I always get those mixed up.....vtwin.  Actually this change I'm going to use Amsoil.  The mobil1 is too hard to get and Walmart wont carry it.

[Twolanerider]

whoops....20-50  I always get those mixed up.....vtwin.  Actually this change I'm going to use Amsoil.  The mobil1 is too hard to get and Walmart wont carry it.

Have you got AutoZone parts stores in your area.  They seem to handle it everywhere.

[TallyClassic]

I've been in them before and asked, but get strange looks.  I never have the part number with me, so I leave.
Just looked online and only see one part number for 20-50, but it says nothing about VTwin.  #98hc76
I searched under engine oil.

[TallyClassic]

got the mobil part number....maybe they can cross reference it.    48139-0

[Midnight Rider]

I haven't tried at Autozone, but Advanced Auto sells it here.  You have to ask for it, as it may not be out on the shelf.  It's good stuff, as is the Amsoil.

[Twolanerider]

got the mobil part number....maybe they can cross reference it.    48139-0

It has to be asked for at the local Auto Zone stores.  They all have it on a small end rack in smaller quantity than everything else on display.  Have seen it at Auto Zone stores in a half dozen other towns though.  A couple of times the counter guys didn't know they had it so you had to find it yourself.  But at least it was there if you looked.