How To Check The Oil On A Harley Davidson Motorcycle

Here is how to check the oil level on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Before you check the oil on your Harley, warm up the engine so all of the oil will be pumped into the oil tank. Next, hold the motorcycle upright on level ground and check the oil level with the dipstick .

[hoohoohoblin]

For Harley riders new and old, don't check the oil when your bike is cold.  Warm it up first to pump any oil in the sump back into the oil tank so you'll get an accurate reading and don't overfill it.

[bhison]

Thanks very much for this! I was worried my oil level was too low, but it had been sitting for a few weeks and I was tempted to top it off...until I saw this. Happy riding!

[TheMachinistCNC]

You are a lifesaver, thanks for the info. I'm a backyard auto mechanic and almost topped off the fluids before I saw this video.

[loansharky]

Check the oil with the bike leaning over onto the side stand NOT UPRIGHT. If it's cold just a little bit of oil on the stick... If it's hot somewhere between the high and the low line. This may not be for every Harley but this is for most of them.

[DobermansRock]

Old Evo right there. They saved Harley.

[ChefPelle]

On the FXR, the oil should be checked on the kickstand, not straight up.

[timshields]

It's always best to check the TANK oil level when the oil is in the TANK...When it's cold and hasn't ran for at least 8 hrs like over night....warming the engine takes the oil out of the TANK...so you think it's low, then add some to be level sending excess oil out the breather because it's way to full...the lines on the dip stick are operating range to much is worse than not enough ...
Carry on as if you were normal now lol

[davidkenney]

Is in-between low line and high line one qt

[schenoy]

I haven't ridden my bike in two years (bad foot needs surgery, can't plant it). So its feeling a bit better, I started the bike up the other day make sure its all good for a ride. Thin white smoke started slowly coming out of both heads I quickly shut it down. Is there too much oil (that happened with my lawn mower) ? I checked the dipstick relatively cold (not warm, it only ran for 15 seconds before I shut down due to the smoke) and it was full. But I'm concerned about running it to warm to then properly check the oil as you showed, so its a bit of a catch-22. How can I check cold if there is too much (or not enough?) oil. Thanks! Dyna Wide Glide 2011. Only 1200 miles.

[amberrudolph]

Evo's go forever! I took over my ol man's 1990 Ultra Classic which has almost 400, 000 miles on her

[Frijo]

where is the high line on the dip stick? mine is chromed cant tell, is it right below the oil cap.

[LifestyleDesignx]

@hoohoohoblin,
I just got me my first bike,
1992 HD sporstrer, for some reason it would die when the choker is not activated (After being warmed up) so I have to ride it with the choke on otherwise will turn off by itself.
What could be the cause to that?
Thanks in advance.

Javier M.

[davidsylvia]

I know how to check my own oil but there is something very weird going on. You have all these so-called Harley experts, making videos trying to get likes, and not a four of them to said, check your oil on the kickstand, and the other two said, check it straight up give me a break Harley experts