By looking at the oil level gauge, I thought that the oil level in the 900 Vulcan that I recently bought was too high. Today I changed the oil and filter. I made a good attempt to drain all the oil out of the bike that I could by rocking it back and forth with the oil plug out. I also poured the oil out of the old oil filter which I removed.
I collected all of this old oil and measured it. There was 4.4 Quarts of oil that I was able to capture. I probably spilled an addition 2 or 3 ounces. This would make a total of about 4.5 quarts of oil that was in the bike. I put 3.5 quarts of oil back in the bike.
Would running too much oil cause any harm? I haven't checked the air breather yet, so I don't know what it looks like, but I haven't seen any evidence of oil coming out of it. Nor have I experienced anything that would make me think the bike was not running normally.
Just wondered what your thoughts were on this.
Thanks.
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2009 Vulcan 900 Classic LT
2005 Harley Electra Glide Classic
Started riding motorcycles in 1963.
The 900 takes 3.4 quarts when changing the oil filter, or 3.2 quarts when not changing the filter. 4.4 quarts is too much. Check the sight glass when the bike is standing up straight, not on the kickstand.
The 900 takes 3.4 quarts when changing the oil filter, or 3.2 quarts when not changing the filter. 4.4 quarts is too much. Check the sight glass when the bike is standing up straight, not on the kickstand.
That's what I did. Checked it with the bike straight up!
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2009 Vulcan 900 Classic LT
2005 Harley Electra Glide Classic
Started riding motorcycles in 1963.
Wow, 4.4 quarts.... I would think it would have been blowing oil out through the crankcase breather. Not sure what damage it would cause, if any, but good that you changed it.
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"Freedom is Loving what you do, and the ability to Pursue It!"
2010 VN900 Classic
Mine was at least at the top of the sight glass when I got it. I figured it was close so I didn't get too worried about it. I drained, rocked and everything else at 600 miles. It ended up taking almost all of a gallon to fill it to the top mark on the sight glass. My owner's manual does not say 3.4 quarts, it says 3.9, which is 3.7 liters.
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2010 Vulcan 900 Classic LT, 2007 SeaRay 185, nine children, one wife.
Checking the oil level on the Vulcan is a pain and is the one design flaw that really bugs me. It has to be exactly level or the reading is inaccurate and it's almost a 2-person job unless you have a stand.
If you can see it in the sight glass you are fine. Design flaw? Get a Harley. They been making them with the sight glass for all time. Just don't overfill please.
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Never give up,
Never give in,
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Vulcan 1600 classic
Memphis shades 19'' Black E-Coated straps
Checking the oil level on the Vulcan is a pain and is the one design flaw that really bugs me. It has to be exactly level or the reading is inaccurate and it's almost a 2-person job unless you have a stand.
If you can see it in the sight glass you are fine. Design flaw? Get a Harley. They been making them with the sight glass for all time. Just don't overfill please.
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My 2005 Harley EGC has a dipstick to check the oil level. I've had numerous other Harleys that also had dipsticks. Can't recall one that had a sightglass to check the oil level.
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2009 Vulcan 900 Classic LT
2005 Harley Electra Glide Classic
Started riding motorcycles in 1963.