SOURCE: specs and oil capacity
Most owners of the old Ironheads try to use the oils that were used when they were built. They use straight 50 weight when the weather is cold and 60 weight when temps are hot. But, one could use 10W50 oil in them. I would not use synthetic as any oil leaks will intensify with the use of synthetic oil. The XLH, XLX, and XLS tanks hold three quarts with the exception of the XR1000 which hold two quarts.
SOURCE: i have a 75 sportster xlh 1000 kick start and
There's a quick test to see if your starter is the problem or something else is causing it. First, it's very important that your bike is in neutral to do this test. If not, the bike is going to lurch forward.
Remove the rubber cover over the end of your starter solenoid. Use and old screwdriver or something and short between the small terminal and the large terminal that the cable from your battery connects to. The starter should kick in and turn the engine over. If it does, the starter is good and your problem is electrical.
If it's electical, there are two places it could be. Underneath the battery tray, there is a starter relay. Again, the bike must be in neutral. Turn the ignition switch on and while holding the starter relay, push the starter button. Do you feel a click? If so, this confirms the wiring between the relay and start button is alright.
Now, you'll need a test light or a volt meter for the next check. On the small terminal of the starter solenoid. connect the test light or the Positive lead of a volt meter, the negative lead of the meter to a good ground. Put the meter function switch in DC volts. 20 volt range. Turn on the ignition and press the starter button. The test light should light up or the meter should read battery voltage. If it does not, your starter relay is bad. If it does, your solenoid needs a repair kit installed in it.
A repair kit is available from aftermarket sources. Most any bike shop can order them for you and they aren't expensive. Disconnect the battery and all the wires on the end on the solenoid. Remove the nuts that were under the wires on all three terminals. Take the two small screws out of either side of the solenoid end cap and remove the cap. Replace the cap with the new parts and the new cap. Be careful when tightening the two screws and the nuts on the terminals as the bakelite end cap cracks very easily. Just snug on the nuts and screws. Reconnect the wires and your starter should work.
If not, let me know.
Good Luck
steve
SOURCE: I have a Harley Davison
You may just have it overfilled. If you checked your oil before you started the engine up and found it to be low and added oil, this is more than likely the case. Since the oil tank is higher than the engine, the Sportster (and Softail models) have a tendency to "oil soak". What is happening is as the bike sits the oil seeps past the check valve in the oil pump and starts to settle in the engine. When you check the oil tank, it's low. So, you add a quart. When you start the engine or turn it with the starter, the oil pump pumps the oil out of the engine and into the tank which is already full. The oil has to go somewhere so out the filler it comes.
Now, to determine if your oil pump is indeed pumping into the engine, screw the oil pressure sending unit out and remove the spark plugs. Spin the engine with the starter and watch to see if the oil is being pumped out. If so, the oil pump is fine. We already know that the scavenger pump is pumping oil back into the tank. So, if you think the engine is overfilled, drain about half of the oil out of the tank and start the engine. Watch the oil level in the tank with a flashlight. Do not allow it to run dry. Allow the engine to run until it is warm and then check the oil. There are two marks on the dipstick. The top mark is "FULL HOT" and the lower mark is "FULL COLD". Check the oil with the bike on the side stand. Do not overfill.
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