Oil level when cold
Ok, for those of you who are interested here is the answer to the random oil levels when the engine is cold (pertains more to Softails). Hence, this is why we check the oil when it is hot. By design the oil tank sits above the oil pump and once the oil is circulated back in to the tank is held in there by a check valve ball bearing. With the weight of the oil, gravity will win every time and the oil weeps past the check ball in to the crankcase. Great example, take the bike for a ride, oil level checks full, then the bike sits for about three to five days. You will notice the cold level dropping. It is also important to mention that the oil will condense as it cools, especially if you use syn 3. The Twin Cam 88 was designed with this as a known "characteristic." When you fire up the engine the oil pump will pull everything out of the crankcase and begin circulating. As you put more miles on the bike the check valve will weaken, but as for replacing it look at around 25,000-30,000 miles only if it is a problem. Here is how to tell if it is a problem. When you start the engine it will dump oil out of the crankcase oil vent located on the left side of the bike next to the drive belt. It will be like you just pulled out the oil pan drain plug. The other tell tale is if you finish a nice long ride and you go to check the oil and it is not in the oil tank. That would be complete check valve bearing failure. The job to replace the check valve is an estimated four hour task. It is one of those things that some of us Softail/TC 88 owners will have to replace and others will not. I hope this information is found to be helpful. None of us like to have anything break or go wrong with our scoots. It is important to recognize when there is a real problem with the bike, and when we are just chasing ghosts. So ride on and ride safe.:cheers: :chopper:
