Oil Level Question after Oil Change ( '09 XB12S )

[Rhino1]

So I changed my oil today for the first time (I've only put about 1200 miles on my bike since I got it, but its been about 4 months). I drained the oil completely under the swing arm (on the side stand, then stood the bike up to get the last few drips), removed the oil filter, and then drained the primary oil. I filled the new oil filter (Bosch 3311) with oil before installing, and added 2.5 quarts in the swing arm. I opened the inspection cover, and added a quart of oil... which seemed to fill the primary a bit too much (oil came right up to the opening, and had some spillage...). I tried to empty some of the primary oil in order to get to the "acceptable" level of just touching the teeth, but it was difficult to do.

Couple of questions to those with '09's (because I heard it might be an issue): even after using 2.5 quarts in the swinger, and the additional oil in the filter (must be 5 or so ounces), I still get a "low" reading on the dipstick after I shut her down and let her rest for a couple minutes. Is this normal? I'm afraid to add any more oil for fear of over-filling, and feel that it has more than 2.5 quarts in it.

Next, I think I may still have a bit too much oil in the primary ("above the teeth" a bit).

Anyone have any input on this?

Thanks!

BTW, I used Mobile 1 15w50 (yeah, car oil... ). I've always used this or Rotella T7 for oil changes on my bikes, with nary an issue...

 

[oh9bolt]

Mine is at the bottom of the dip stick cold in the swingarm, and mid to 3/4 up the dipstick warm.

Did you fill the primary with the bike up right? That sounds like the problem. Put a 2x4 under the kickstand, or on a rear stand and fill it with 1 quart.

[up]

 

[kbfnail]

Also dont wait couple minutes too check oil. More like 30 seconds after its hot.

 

[Lesley]

I've never seen a leak so I never check my levels. I change it religiously by spec.

2.5 qts plus filter in the swingarm.
1 qt in primary. (on race stand or leaning against wall)NOT on side stand.

Do it by the book. Disregard what you think.

 

[WIGGLE2]

As the XB engine, (like all Harleys)is a "dry sump" lube system,the swingarm is simply a resevoir. Oil level isn't SUPER critical. If you have it too full, the scavange pump will have no place to return the oil to....then you have a mess,as it will probably, at that point,push oil out of the crankcase breathers. Obviously too low and you could have issues too. Since the engine is air cooled and oil temp CAN get pretty high, I run mine AT to about an 1/8" over the "FULL" mark. The book claims "approximately" 2.5 QT. HOT, on the kickstand. we ran VaLvoline VR-1 race oil in the engines we built and dyno'd at the shop.....some SERIOUS engines..and when it was time to "freshen" them, they always looked great! I think most QUALITY oil is acceptable today. I run 20-50 in temps OVER about 50 degrees....10-30 in temps less than 50. JUST MY OPINION/EXPERIENCE!!

 

[snrusnak]

As said above:

The primary takes ~1 qt with the bike upright. Mine usually takes a hair less than 1 qt.

The swing arm takes ~2.5 qts with the bike on the side stand. Mine's taken up to 3 qts. Always check hot and on the side stand.

If you're close then you're good. I only check my oil probably every 1,000 miles and it's always good.

Also, you should check the oil periodically, even if there is no visible leak. All engines burn some oil and the oil level will decrease with time.

 

[user_deleted]

rhino: what sean, lesley, bolt and everyone else said particularly wiggle2. he knows these motors well. buell XB's are notorious oddballs for checking engine oil. thinking in terms of typical japenese bikes with common trans/engine sump and a centerstand doesn't work with our XB's. consensus of opinion and what seems to be the norm is that if your bike is on the sidestand, is cold from sitting overnite and you remove the dipstick from swingarm and see 1/2" or more of oil on stick, you're good to go. and they rarely use oil unless subjected to excessive heat conditions. has been my experience.

 

[50W]

All good advice, I know I struggled with this when I bought my XB but I have no oil leaks and I know how much I added after the oil change, so I've learned where it lines up on the dip stick and it's all good.
At first check it often after the oil change so you get a feel of where it should be then you have a referance point for the future.

 

[Rhino1]

Sounds good--thanks for the tips guys; I don't feel so bad now. My Aprilia is a dry sump bike too, but it has a sight tube for easy reading.

I'm going to check it again when I get home and maybe have a peek in the primary case too.

 

[Willie P]

As a first time oil changer on my XB, I recently went through the same quandry about after-change oil level reading. I posted on here about it previously.

here's what I found - put in 2.5 quarts exactly. a cold read will give you a low reading (below minimum, actually). however, if you go and ride for 15 minutes, it will read exactly correct. HOWEVER - don't wait more than 1 minute after you shut the bike off to do the reading. if you wait much longer, the oil seeps back into the engine and you get a low reading (even on a warm bike/oil). goofy - but as you'll find with all things Buell - they are quirky (like my old air cooled porsche is also).

guess that what makes them fun. wp