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[charles05663]

Hello Everyone,

I changed my front and rear shocks last year from the standard, worthless HD air shocks to the Bitubos that are an inch longer. 

I do my own services and after the most recent oil service my oil was way high and I had to pull out about a pint.  Unless I totally spaced it out and put in too much oil (and that is a possibility), how concerned should I be about the change in shock length and what the dip stick records? 

From what I figured, the dipstick is going to record high due to the increased bike lean.

 

[grc]

Hello Everyone,

I changed my front and rear shocks last year from the standard, worthless HD air shocks to the Bitubos that are an inch longer. 

I do my own services and after the most recent oil service my oil was way high and I had to pull out about a pint.  Unless I totally spaced it out and put in too much oil (and that is a possibility), how concerned should I be about the change in shock length and what the dip stick records? 

From what I figured, the dipstick is going to record high due to the increased bike lean.

 

If you're measuring while on the jiffy stand, the slightly greater lean angle due to the longer shocks isn't likely to cause a higher reading on the dipstick.  The dipstick is on the right side of the oil pan, which would mean it would actually read slightly lower if the bike was leaned more to the left.  Odds are you either didn't get all the old oil out, or you overfilled.  If you think lean angle has anything to do with it, just sit the bike up level and check the dipstick again.  And of course I assume you ran the engine long enough to fill the oil filter before checking the level.  Not trying to be a smart azz or cast aspersions, just offering up possibilities.  I remember back when I was stressed and in a hurry and may have forgotten things.

Jerry

[charles05663]

Thank you Jerry...

 

[Puma]

Lot's of people have their own method. Since Harleys do not like to be over full with oil, I like to underfill mine, then run it for a few minutes to fill the filter. I don't take it out and rev it, I just let it idle. Then I let the oil settle and check it.  When I say underfill, I mean I fill it to full on the stick, but the filter is still dry. So when I run the bike for a few minutes, it ends up perfect on the stick. Right in the middle of the safe zone. If it gets lower than you like, just drop a little more in there, but they really like to be half way between add and full on the stick. If you fill it to the max it's going to release some oil out of the breathers.

[Ridgerunr]

I've found that putting in 4 quarts, even after running to fill the oil filter, that it's slightly over filled. I start at 3.5 quarts, run and check. Usually takes none or maybe a couple ounces. With the propensity to sump these TC's are better off a little under.

[FlaHeatWave]

The Ultras (13" shocks) use the same dipstick as the '09 SERGs (12" shocks)