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[dave29]

Just another observation.....changed oil in my wifes CVO Streetglide on Mon. Fired the bike let it idle and come up to operating temperature. Shut it off and went to check the oil. WWWWWOOOOWWWW!!!! That cat was so hot it hurt to unscrew the dipstick!!!! At some point HD is going to have a class action on people burning themselves. This is downright dangerous!
dave29

[grc]

Just another observation.....changed oil in my wifes CVO Streetglide on Mon. Fired the bike let it idle and come up to operating temperature. Shut it off and went to check the oil. WWWWWOOOOWWWW!!!! That cat was so hot it hurt to unscrew the dipstick!!!! At some point HD is going to have a class action on people burning themselves. This is downright dangerous!
dave29

Dave, how long did you let it idle while it came up to temp?  If it was more than a minute or two, you might want to rethink that process in the future.  Not only does the catalytic converter get really hot when you do that, so does the entire engine.  If the purpose is to get the engine and oil up to normal operating temperature to verify the hot oil level, it's best to actually ride the bike for about 10 miles, let it sit on the stand at idle for a minute to let the oil pump scavenge as much oil out of the crankcase as it can, shut it down and then carefully check the dipstick while wearing gloves.  Even the bikes without cat's will burn the beejesus out of you if you aren't careful.

Try this idea for the future.  After you get the hot oil level where you want it (not necessarily at the Harley hot mark, which can be over full), let the bike sit overnight and then pull the dipstick with the oil cold.  Use the edge of a file to mark the current level on the dipstick, and this will be your new Full (Cold) mark.  Now when you want to check oil, do it cold and only add up to the new mark, not the factory Full mark.  After an oil change, you'll only have to run the engine long enough to fill the filter and passages, maybe 30 seconds, before you can check the level.

You're absolutely correct in your observation; that is one hot location for a dipstick.  Too bad H-D can't figure out how to put a nice little sight glass in the oil tank, like another brand I owned many years ago.  Even had a little wiper that you could turn with a screwdriver to clean off the inside of the glass if it got gunky, and it didn't leak, and it was painless.


Jerry

[HD4CPA]

Just another observation.....changed oil in my wifes CVO Streetglide on Mon. Fired the bike let it idle and come up to operating temperature. Shut it off and went to check the oil. WWWWWOOOOWWWW!!!! That cat was so hot it hurt to unscrew the dipstick!!!! At some point HD is going to have a class action on people burning themselves. This is downright dangerous!
dave29

The new and improved electronic dip stick cap is pretty cool.  Tells both oil temp. and fill level.  Changing out the head pipes cooled my bike down considerably too.

Mike

[wblythe]

Jerry,

Nice advice thanks.
I have a CV SG 2010, and have been able to pull the dip stick with some heat but not like you just explained.  So how was the level when you checked it and did you ride it first it, or was it like Jerry said, let it side and heat up. Just wondering.

[dave29]

Level was fine when I checked it. I like the electronic dipstick idea. Is this a HD item Mike?
Thanks to all for the info.
Mike ...I sent you a seperate e-mail to see how your bike is comming along.
Best
dave29

[HD4CPA]

Hi Jim,

Yes, it's a HD part #63004-09.  http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524448768901&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309369408&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309369408&bmUID=1275496858996&bmLocale=en_US

Pretty nice, like to get one myself.  Just like the 911 read out!

Mike

[tazmun]

Ever notice that all Harley's good ideas are in the parts & accessory catalog!

[jimcb1]

why do you have to check harley engine oil when hot not cold like other engines

[dave29]

I checked my oil  level after the bike sat for about 3 weeks. Cold, the level was up to the hot mark on the dipstick. I warmed up the bike because I thought that maybe oil had drained from the oil filter back into the pan. Warm, the level was the some as cold therefore my suspicions were correct. Once the bike cooled off, I chacked the level again and the oil level was half way up the dipstick which is where it should be.

[grc]

I checked my oil  level after the bike sat for about 3 weeks. Cold, the level was up to the hot mark on the dipstick. I warmed up the bike because I thought that maybe oil had drained from the oil filter back into the pan. Warm, the level was the some as cold therefore my suspicions were correct. Once the bike cooled off, I chacked the level again and the oil level was half way up the dipstick which is where it should be.

I'm not sure how your's did that, but I've never experienced what you described, even after storing my bike over the winter.  I change the oil just prior to storing it, run it long enough to circulate the fresh oil, then top it off up to my "Cold" full mark.  When I uncover the bike four months later, the oil is still right at my "Cold" full mark, exactly where I would predict it should be. 

In theory, any oil that collects in the crankcase or cam chest after shutdown (drain back from top end and oil passages, etc.) will just stay there until the scavenge side of the oil pump forces it back to the tank when you fire the engine up.  Now you've got me scratchin' my head.


Jerry

[Gank]

Hi Jim,

Yes, it's a HD part #63004-09.  http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524448768901&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309369408&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309369408&bmUID=1275496858996&bmLocale=en_US

Pretty nice, like to get one myself.  Just like the 911 read out!

Mike

Sweet but do they have anything for a 2000 SERG?  The Cat does not seem to have one... anyone know it the above unit would work?

[skreminegul07]

Hi Jim,

Yes, it's a HD part #63004-09.  http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524448768901&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309369408&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309369408&bmUID=1275496858996&bmLocale=en_US

Pretty nice, like to get one myself.  Just like the 911 read out!

Mike

I had one lasted less than a year.  Cooked IMHO.