Frankenstein - confused...please clarify

[bokobob]

I have a Frankenstein trike kit on my 09 1200 sportster..when stopped it sits very level....The online manual for the two wheel 1200 says in order to check the oil I should have the bike on level ground with jiffy stand down - that is the kickstand as I understand it...(mine has no kickstand)....So I do not feel confident at all that I have the right amount of oil in the oil reservoir...This is my first Harley...I am soliciting any advice or insight into how to properly check the oil on this bike - now trike...Many thanks.Bob

[Catfish]

The amount of oil is standard. If you are losing oil or it's burning oil between changes get it fixed and if that is not an option run your right rear tire onto a curb and check level. It should get you close enough. Where there is a concern there is a logical solution. Other than that I can't be of any help.

[Ozarkryder]

Find someone or a friendly dealer with the same model of 1200 Sporty. Fill the oil tank to the proper level while the bike is on the sidestand, or as HD calls it the Jiffystand. With help from a buddy carefully stand the bike level, and mark where the oil comes on the dipstick when the bike is upright. Now you have a dipstick with a correctly marked fill line for an upright trike. Trade dipsticks or mark yours at the same level and now you can have the proper oil level without uncertainty.

[bokobob]

• Thanks guys for your help. I thought of the curb solution after I wrote my post....My curb is on an angle so I can replicate what I think the "lean" is on a two wheel bike...

I am also thinking that perhaps more oil would drain if I got the right rear wheel on a curb to raise up the right side maybe 3 inches or so. Any thoughts on that?

I also have a bike "lift" and could fit it under the frame on the right side only and lift that side of the bike up...

At any rate, I feel I am on the right track now.

[bokobob]

Well, I did get the right rear tire up on a 6 inch curb with the front wheel still on the adjoining pavement (lower) and checked the oil while hot.. There was quite a tilt to the angle of the bike in his position.. It was not much different than when I checked it hot on level ground in the garage upon arriving home not long after.......Maybe a quarter of an inch, but no more...I notice that the oil tank reservoir is only about an inch from the very top so I figure I'll be ok..

Again thanks for comments..