Where's my oil going (break-in)?

[Robo]

My '09 FXSTB has 755 miles on it currently and I've added a half quart of oil so far. The temperature range during break-in has been 30-85 degrees. I have ridden it from and to each of those extremes (Alaska is kinda cool, I wouldn't even think to leave the house below 35 in NC!).

When I got it, it read about 3/4 of the way to the full line and I have read that on these bikes, that if you go to the full line, it likes to blow out of the breather. It went to 1/4 of the way up at 500 miles, so I added oil to 3/4 again. Now, it's back to 1/2 way. There are no leaks or drips, so I am as lost as a black man in Alaska (Forget that, I am a lost black man in Alaska ).

I have followed the Owner's Manual to the letter during break-in, so it should not be due to negligence during this period.

I am going to schedule the 1000 mile service in about a week (not much of a chance to get a lot of mileage in due to my job). What do I need to check before service, and what should I expect at the dealer?

[rmc115]

It's going out the exhaust. some consumption during break in is normal, hopefully it stops. mention it at the first service and they should tell you what the harley consumption spec is. mine used none. mike

[rbabos]

Check oil level is very temp sensitive. If the temps are different by 20 degrees it can be 1/8-1/4" diff on the dipstick. The only time my fxstc shows right on the line is 220 degrees, so this becomes my baseline for operational full. Never check cold or before running a softail, as some drains back to the case giving faulse readings. Now, if I've just rambled on and you've done it right and in fact it has used this much oil, I would get it documented at least. While it's said this is normal for a new engine to use oil until rings are seated, I've never seen this in any 4 stroke engine that I've rebuilt. Rings usually seat in the first 100 miles or less. The acceptable oil burn rate that Harley will give you will most likely be unacceptable to anybody that knows engines.
Ron

[woodysan]

The only time I check my oil in all 23 motorcycles I've owned is STONE cold. Woody

[berserker]

Originally Posted by woodysan

The only time I check my oil in all 23 motorcycles I've owned is STONE cold. Woody

If its at the full line on a Harley cold, you got to much oil in it.

They got to be very hot to check. Not couple mile ride hot.

That being said I run mine 1/2 quart low, so adding oil cold isn't so bad.

As for this question you can lose a little when seating the rings and break in. But it should be broke in by now.

I run 1/2 qtlow on my 88/98", my 96" stays right at full. Uses less oil then my 88" does.

[rkdahl]

My '08 Dyna FXDL was consuming oil that I noticed after the 1,000 mi service. It got to the point of nearly 1/2 quart per 1,000 by the time I got to 4,000 miles. The shop said keep filling and they'd check it at the 5,000 service level.

Took it in this week. Then upon dropping it they quoted "Harley won't do anything else it's over 1 quart per 1,000 miles" I said WHAT? That's nuts!

Have you guys heard that before?

Anyway, they call me back a few hours later, compression test shows 20% loss so they are going to re-ring it. Mine has had zero leaks and no noticeable smoke. The rear cylinder would get what I thought was abnormally hot intermittently but the shop didn't seem to be concerned by that.

We'll see how this unfolds....

Good luck with your consumption!