Help a newbie to big dogs
- Thread starter Doublea
- Start date
After you have run it down the road, to make sure the oil is pumped back to the tank, and has not bled down to the slump, openthe cap on top of the tank. Oil should be about an inch and a half from the top.
i believe it is under the seat, it is on most of the newer bikes. will probably just be a round cap close to the battery. most use mobil 1 20/50 vtwin oil, but there are also other brands available. if you are just adding, best to go ahead and change it and make sure you have all the same in the tank.
WAIT! THESE BIKES NEED OIL?
Doublea
Member
I know, i know, I know.WAIT! THESE BIKES NEED OIL?
this is my sign right here. I just need the arrow to point at me. LOL!
cdogg556
Guru
I don't know about an 03, but on my 09 mastiff the oil tank is under the seat, stand the bike strait up, take the cap off and look in the tube, my bike actually has a dipstick to read the oil level, but on my 05 Bulldog there was no dipstick, so when you look in the tube and if you can't see any oil then add oil until it's about a 1/2" up from the bottom of the tube, I'm not sure if yours is like mine, but I would think it should be similar.
BWG56
Guru
Holy Moly, my 07' says to do it on the kick stand and the oil should only be at the bottom of the tube.
If Revtech oil is anything like their piece of shit mot
My 08 says the same. "Fully upright on side stand", someone should invent something to get these bikes more upright. any ideas Ker?
pknowles
RETIRED
And after it's warmed up. I' m wonder how much difference you get in the small tank with a 10 degree list. doesn't seem like it could be more than a couple ounces. Maybe one of the resident rocket scientist will chime in.
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Lorenzo
Active Member
Just curious, how do you get the bike Fully upright on the side stand?? Just asking.
BWG56
Guru
pknowles
RETIRED
My guess is they are referring to a level pad to start on. I wish we had the dimension of the tank. 1 cubic inch is roughly a half ounce equivalent. MATH GIVES ME A HEADACHE.
SMCT
Active Member
Just a few simple thoughts on working with dry sumps. 1st, do remember that unlike a wet sump, the dry sump system has an external tank, and that tank will hold a column of oil in it. As long as the pick up tube in the tank is covered (which is at the bottom) the engine knows no difference. Your actually much better under filled in a dry sump tank, than over filled. The real way to check your oil level in a dry sump tank, is to check it while running, and fully warmed up. Now maybe Big Dog has done a level test while running, and after it has been shut done, has noted the oil level and has made a recommendation accordingly. There is only one problem with this. It is an assumption that all oil pumps, and all oils are all equal, and that's simply not the case. Even though the engines in the same year are the same, the pumps could vary from wear and so can the scavenge side. This will leave your oil levels in the tank different from other identical applications. It usually goes hand in hand, the better the pumps scavenge side is, the less oil that will be remaining in the crankcase while running and the more will be in the tank. Ok, so what does this all mean?
It means that the true proper way to check a "dry sump system" is hot, while running, with the bike vertical, and you look down into the filler neck area and note the level in the tank. Remember, as long as the pick up is covered, the engine will not know the difference. Lets talk a moment about "poor design". The tank and the filler tube placement is a poor design because it doesn't let you see into the tank to note the level while running. One more factor to consider as well. Some dry sump systems, while running at idle will show one level in the tank and while up off idle, lets say 2000 rpms, will show a different level. Once again do remember, as long as the pick up tube is covered, it really makes no difference.
"Vertical or on the kick stand"
The kick stand method will actually allow for more breathable room at the top of the tank, because when upright, the tank level will be lower than the same method checked vertical. "that .500 up from the bottom of the filler tube".
Ok, so what the hell to do?
Here is what I would do. I would first go with kick stand method, after the bike has been completely warmed up good, shut it and immediately check the level. .500 (1/2) from dead bottom of tube.
It means that the true proper way to check a "dry sump system" is hot, while running, with the bike vertical, and you look down into the filler neck area and note the level in the tank. Remember, as long as the pick up is covered, the engine will not know the difference. Lets talk a moment about "poor design". The tank and the filler tube placement is a poor design because it doesn't let you see into the tank to note the level while running. One more factor to consider as well. Some dry sump systems, while running at idle will show one level in the tank and while up off idle, lets say 2000 rpms, will show a different level. Once again do remember, as long as the pick up tube is covered, it really makes no difference.
"Vertical or on the kick stand"
The kick stand method will actually allow for more breathable room at the top of the tank, because when upright, the tank level will be lower than the same method checked vertical. "that .500 up from the bottom of the filler tube".
Ok, so what the hell to do?
Here is what I would do. I would first go with kick stand method, after the bike has been completely warmed up good, shut it and immediately check the level. .500 (1/2) from dead bottom of tube.
Lorenzo
Active Member
I was just making a funny!! I guess it's too early to make jokes!
BWG56
Guru
Your way and then the funny way.
Just curious,
how do you get the bike Fully upright 
on the side stand??
Just asking.
bearman
Active Member
I'm gonna have to call B.S. on that one, so learn me sumthin and please explain.