[Ricky G.]

 

[Crash]

I've also got the temp dipstick. It is very hard to see the oil on it, and sometimes it only covers one side of the dipstick???? I end up checking it several times to make sure.

 

[vroddrew]

I've also got the temp dipstick. It is very hard to see the oil on it, and sometimes it only covers one side of the dipstick????

I've also got the the oil-temp. gauge dipstick - and you are right, it is almost impossible to get any sort of a meaningful measurement off it. The instruction sheet that came with mie recommends using the stock (plastic) dipstick for checking oil levels. Which is another reason I do my oil-checking when I'm in my garage. I keep the stock dipstick in a plastic bag with my oil supplies.

The oil-temp. gauge dipstick doesn't have crosshatch marks - so basically all it tells you is that you've got oil in your crankcase - or you haven't!

 

[V-Man]

...nor can you see the temp. on the LCD display when sitting on the bike which makes it a pretty damn useless accessory. I returned mine and got one with the V-Rod logo.

 

[hippo888]

You can rotate the housing until it's sort-of readable. I went back to the plastic dipstick because I couldn't take oil measurements correctly. As someone said earlier, all the fancy dipstick does is tell you if there IS or IS NOT engine oil in the sump.

 

[Crash]

The analog temp dipstick is readable if you lean over a bit, even while riding, but it is tough to get accurate measures on oil quantity.
Anyone got an extra stock dipstick that they don't want anymore?

 

[Ken]

That's good info Motown.
I was going to purchase a chrome dipstick, but will hold off now.
Re the hot / cold checking, the work shop manual says either way, and I've not noticed any difference in area of the dip stick coated.
My oil useage or loss has settled down to minimal now after 6000kms, so all's well.
I use SYN3 as well.

Best wishes.

Ken.

 

[urprey]

Checked oil alot when I first got her..on the lift[short arms] but after 6k now, haven't burnt a drop.4.75 qts to the line. As far as the chrome stick, I have one but use the stock one to measure with, cooler and I can see the SYN better.

 

[Harleyvrodguy]

I also check mine while sitting on the bike, I don't think that its the length of your arms that would make or break being able to check your oil while sitting on the bike. Perhaps girth is the determining factor....................just a wild guess.........................

 

[HawgDoc]

The FINAL answer is.....
The CORRECT way to check the oil is:

1. oil at operating temperature.
2. wait two minutes after running.
3. motorcycle upright and level.
4. the dipstick screwed all the way in.
5. oil should be all the way to the top of cross-hatch section.

The 'cold-check' procedure is just a 'fail-safe' check (for pre-ride and oil changes) so that you can be assured there is enough there for the warm-up stage. At that point level should be halfway up the cross-hatch. Also, it's a little overkill probably, but HD has said that a completely operating temperature bike has been ridden at 60mph for 20 minutes.
FYI: the check-it-at-every-gas-fill is just a precaution for 2 reasons. Running low on oil in a plain bearing engine is asking for disaster... and, if there is ever a compromise between oiling and cooling systems, you would discover it quickly in the presence of milky oil on the dipstick.

 

[Ricky G.]

I also check mine while sitting on the bike, I don't think that its the length of your arms that would make or break being able to check your oil while sitting on the bike. Perhaps girth is the determining factor....................just a wild guess......................... :dance: :stilpoke: :laugh:

He said GIRTH...... :diablo: :diablo: :spank: :spank:

 

[Ricky G.]

QUOTE=Harleyvrodguy]I also check mine while sitting on the bike, I don't think that its the length of your arms that would make or break being able to check your oil while sitting on the bike. Perhaps girth is the determining factor....................just a wild guess......................... :dance: :stilpoke: :laugh:[/QUOTE]


Harleyvrodguy.
I find it quite easy to use my left hand while sitting on the bike. I insert my thumb into the dip stick opening and extend my index finger straight out and use it as a jiffy stand... I seem to get the same reading each time...
:hidesbeh: :chair: :spank:

 

[mustanggt]

I've come to the conclusion

I've come to the conculsion that unless the '03 dipstick is different then the '02 dipstick, the factory dipsticks do not give you accurate readings. I drained the hot oil in my '02 rod until no more oil dripped out, changed the filter, put in exactly 4.5(4 1/2) quarts as the manual states, ran the bile for a few minutes, shut it down. I came out the next day, sat bike up perfectly level and the cold reading on the '03 dipstick that I'm using was way over the top of the cross hairs. Now unless I did not run the bike long enough for additional oil to be soaked up into the filter, the plastic dip stick is not marked right. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Al Bachur]

I first remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, then get on the bike and hold it level. Reach down, put in the dipstick, screw it in till it bottoms out, wait a few seconds, then remove it to check the level. Whether you do it hot or cold, this is the easy way to do it. I am short, and I have no problem reaching the dipstick. Hope this helps???

 

[danafwelch]

I used to do that but have since marked my dipstick by scratching it where the oil is at the full mark but the bike is leaning over on the kick stand and the dipstick is inserted but not screwed in. Works perfectly as long as I do this on the same surface in my garage since I know it's level and saves me from the yoga positions and leaning on the airbox cover if I'm not real careful. If I check it elsewhere, I use your method (per the manual).

 

[Edgar]

Warm id best the Service manual sayes cold but the owners manual sayes warm.

 

[Panman]

VROD oil temp gauge

:stilpoke: You would think that after 20K miles I would have done this already.

I have the VROD on my Kendon lift to clean it and checked the oil cold.

The after market HD chrome temp gauge dipstick has two scribed circles for checking the oil level. It measured exactly level with the bottom scribed circle.

When I finished cleaning before tanking it off the lift I warmed it to operating temp and checked the oil hot. It measured exactly to the top scribed circle.

I used a paper shop towel and lay the dipstick vertical against it to see actual oil when checking.

5000 miles on this Amsoil change and no usage. :boobs:

 

[VrodTommy]

While this may not have to do with the oil level, doe's anyone know what the normal oil tempature should be? I was looking at one of the oil temp dip sticks and no one at the dealer was able to tell me what ity should be. So, since I wasnt sure what I was going to be looing at I passed.

Now as far as checking oil level, I got a baseline right of right after an oil change so I know I was reading it with the correct amount of fluid. I measured with the bike on the stand to make like easy on myself. So now I can tell if I'm losing or down just before my ride.

 

[trickvrod]

I rarely check mine anymore. My bike doesn't burn any that's measureable.

 

[redbud]

20,000 on mine, and have never had to and. So far so good.