That is your oil fill cap/dipstick. It sits in your oil tank that feeds oil into the engine. Your Sportster is a "dry sump" system, so all your engine oil is stored in that oil tank under the seat rather than inside the engine case/block (like "wet sump" systems).
Please check your owners manual, a video, or check with a local dealership on how you check your oil.
If you don't want to ask the dealership guys, this is how you check your oil. Once the engine has been started and warmed up; you need to press that button, remove the dipstick, and check your oil level. Harley's read low on oil when cold due to oil seeping into the engine case (it's called "sumping"). It happens from time to time, sometimes it's a faulty check valve (if it happens every few days), or it's just gravity if it only happens after sitting for several months. However, that oil is pumped back into the oil tank once the engine is running so sumping isn't a HUGE deal. Anyway, once the rear rocker box cover (closest to the seat) is uncomfortably warm to the touch, your motorcycle is sufficiently warmed up to accurately check your oil.
And once it's warned up, press down on the middle part, and it will pop up. Give it a counter-clockwise twist and about a quarter turn, it should come up. You'll see the dipstick on there.
If you change your own oil, that's also where you'll refill the oil or top it off if it gets low.
I really like that styling for the oil cap and dipstick, but that quarter turn can be a pain in the ass if there is a little oil on the cap.
Harley dealerships are really helpful, if you ride over and ask a service guy, parts department, greeter, or a salesman, they'll happily walk you through it real quick.
*** sorry it's really early in the morning and forgot to mention that Harley-Davidson motorcycles use special oil. Don't toss motor oil from the auto parts store in it. The manual and/or dealership will fill you in on what oil can be put in your bike. I can't remember the additives it requires.
YouTube video on how to change your oil. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRA65nbPnq0
I would strongly suggest you get an owners manual. You can download a manual [here.](https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson.com/sip/content/document/view?id=1645907626864099630)
This.
If you don't know where the oil fill is on your bike, you need to do lots and lots of research on everything in general.
There's alot of inportant things on a motorcycle that simply cannot be overlooked on a ride to ride basis...
Pathetic how many ppl take the time to talk shit under some random post, over a question they dont wona anwser… if yall are rly that much more of a man or some shit why not just move on 😂
Welcome to Reddit. 50% of the population wants to help, 50% wants to troll and talk shit.
Those numbers might be off +/- 40%.
Keep asking questions. It’s one of the ways we learn.
If you want to find an audience that will
welcome questions from beginners to advanced, Reddit really isn’t the place. Try [hdforums.com](https://hdforums.com) or another focused group of adults. Buy a service manual, and ask for help around what you don’t understand. Happy riding ✌️
Honestly 50% seems generous. I’m so disappointed with Reddit. It seemed like a bit more user friendly version of the classic online forums which typically have been very helpful and full of support and good advice with only the occasional idiot on there, whereas a large portion Reddit is just a sneering, backhanded, immature group of losers looking to project their insecurities onto others.
I feel like nostalgia is clouding your memory about forums. I couldn’t count the number of forum posts where somebody asked a question and the comments were all “wrong thread ask in __” or “use the search function.” Most people don’t like answering the same question 30 times in the same place.
I’m not talking about every forum on the internet. But there are plenty that lack the snarky population of Reddit. The one I referenced is a great resource. The users certainly want someone to take a shot at solving a problem, but welcome questions if someone is stumped after going at it or just can’t figure out what the manual is saying.
It’s the oil fill. It holds the oil cause Harley’s run a dry sump system. Never check oil cold especially on these motors. Oil tends to drain down into the engine. Running it pumps the oil back up into that tank, then you will get an accurate level reading. It’s very common in sportsters and some softails. Good luck.
That's where us big boys warm up our choccy milk. If you forget your straw, there is one clamped near the bottom of the bike.
Don't let it get too dark or it tastes real bad!
I don’t understand how someone could buy a motorcycle and know this little about machines. All one has to do is push it to see it is clearly the dip stick. Or, I don’t know, open the manual?
Lastly, bought a used bike and didn’t bother to check the oil?
Come on- this is clearly a shit post.
It absolutely can be. My assumption is this is a young person with their first bike.
They didn't grow up in the world of cars that required adjusting carburetors, replacing distributor caps and rotors and oil changes every 3 months/3000 miles. So their attitude towards vehicles is the same as appliances and electronics. Just like the toaster in the kitchen and the phone in their pocket, they expect to simply be able to turn it on, use it and turn it back off without having to give any more effort or thought to it than that.
I am NOT denigrating young people by saying this. It's simply the reality of the world that they were born in and have always known, so I always extend them the benefit of the doubt and an enormous amount of patience when they ask questions like this. They genuinely don't know, and it's not really their fault.
And you probably bought all those things yourself busting your ass doing a manual labor job 40+ hours a week.
Today, "kids" stay on their parents health insurance plan until they turn 26.
Again, that isn't a criticism of young people per se. We just live in a different world now.
When you get your ass beat countless times, you have no choice but to develop a little bit of humility 😄
Now that you know what it is, check it regularly!
That bike is an air cooled engine, and since it doesn't have a radiator or coolant system, the only thing keeping it from overheating is the oil in that tank and the air flowing over the fins on the engine. Because of this, it will use more oil than your car by nature of it's design, and you need to make sure the oil level doesn't fall below the "add" mark.
The first couple of times you work on your bike (if that's what you decide to go), do it with someone experienced. Remember, your life depends on everything going right going down the road. Hell, if you're anywhere in Alabama or surrounding area, I'd ride over to help you with your first couple of maintenances to help you get familiar.
I would also advise you to join xlforum.net . A lot of great info on there and a lot of very knowledgeable and helpful people on that site. Helped me a ton when I had a sporty.
Come on... if they're asking about something as important as an oil tank and dipstick, don't suggest they put anything but oil in it. Some city folks have never owned a car let alone a motorcycle. I've worked with 30+ year olds that have never had a driver's license.
I could be a complete asshole here, but I won't. I've been into motorcycles for 50+ years. When I was finally able to get my first Harley-Davidson, I realized they were a different animal. I'm pretty mechanical, but Harley-Davidsons have some unique features. An older biker who I thought was an asshole actually taught me how to wrench on my own bike. His advice was to get a service manual for my bike. He said, "It's the Bible for your bike." He was 100% correct!! He also told me, after giving me shit for hours, since I wanted to learn. He would take the time and teach me. He said, "It's every old bikers responsibility to teach the younger bikers our lifestyle. Otherwise, we all will die."
Find yourself a biker friend, listen to them, and learn all you can. Fuck the haters, they don't matter.
Yeah, using a harley forum to ask a harley question is the purpose of this site. He might not know what the oil tank is, but you're here on reddit not knowing how it works. You both have knowledge gaps.
See, you don't know how to do sarcastic font either. You're supposed to alternate between capital letters and lowercase. Every time you leave a comment you reveal another knowledge gap, but that's ok, nobody knows everything.
>Radiator fill cap. Screw the manual, I use straight antifreeze.
I fill mine with single-malt Scotch. That way if it's a long ride and I get thirsty I can get a drink from it.
Everyone knows this even the OP. Nobody is simultaneously this clueless about how an engine works and interested enough in riding a bike to investigate what to buy while also putting the effort into learning to ride. This is a full on shit post. Lastly, who would admit to the world that they don’t know where the dip stick is?
That is your oil fill cap/dipstick. It sits in your oil tank that feeds oil into the engine. Your Sportster is a "dry sump" system, so all your engine oil is stored in that oil tank under the seat rather than inside the engine case/block (like "wet sump" systems). Please check your owners manual, a video, or check with a local dealership on how you check your oil. If you don't want to ask the dealership guys, this is how you check your oil. Once the engine has been started and warmed up; you need to press that button, remove the dipstick, and check your oil level. Harley's read low on oil when cold due to oil seeping into the engine case (it's called "sumping"). It happens from time to time, sometimes it's a faulty check valve (if it happens every few days), or it's just gravity if it only happens after sitting for several months. However, that oil is pumped back into the oil tank once the engine is running so sumping isn't a HUGE deal. Anyway, once the rear rocker box cover (closest to the seat) is uncomfortably warm to the touch, your motorcycle is sufficiently warmed up to accurately check your oil.
And once it's warned up, press down on the middle part, and it will pop up. Give it a counter-clockwise twist and about a quarter turn, it should come up. You'll see the dipstick on there. If you change your own oil, that's also where you'll refill the oil or top it off if it gets low. I really like that styling for the oil cap and dipstick, but that quarter turn can be a pain in the ass if there is a little oil on the cap.
Thank you a lot, thats very helpful :)
Harley dealerships are really helpful, if you ride over and ask a service guy, parts department, greeter, or a salesman, they'll happily walk you through it real quick. *** sorry it's really early in the morning and forgot to mention that Harley-Davidson motorcycles use special oil. Don't toss motor oil from the auto parts store in it. The manual and/or dealership will fill you in on what oil can be put in your bike. I can't remember the additives it requires.
Wow, not the harley dealers near me. The service guys are super douchey and treat even knowledgeable people like trash.
It's not that special. Diesel oil has the same additive package and it's a fraction of the price. Rotella t4 for me
Good info! Thanks.
710 hole
It's the dip stick and cap to your oil tank.
YouTube video on how to change your oil. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRA65nbPnq0 I would strongly suggest you get an owners manual. You can download a manual [here.](https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson.com/sip/content/document/view?id=1645907626864099630)
Buy a manual. Really - buy a manual !!!
Pssstt .... Owners manuals are free on Harley-Davidson.com
Where’s that link ??
https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson.com/sip/search/searchDocumentsByGroup?groupId=16
Perfect !! There it is - a good intro to ownership.
That is the dipstick and fill location for your oil reservoir. https://youtu.be/t48UuxjxftY?si=zrJ5ova9fU7rn-2W
It’s for those long, lonely nights - if you’re brave enough.
😂😂😂
please buy a manual i am begging you
This. If you don't know where the oil fill is on your bike, you need to do lots and lots of research on everything in general. There's alot of inportant things on a motorcycle that simply cannot be overlooked on a ride to ride basis...
Oil tank but looks like an ejection button! Ohhh a nice seat! Love the stitching!💪🏻👊🏻
Oil tank. Push down on the cap andcit will pop up. Do not overfill.
I read this as “the clit will pop up”
It might.
RTFM
Oil
I see you have the answer already. Good on you for asking, there is no such thing as a stupid question 👍 ride safe brother.
Pathetic how many ppl take the time to talk shit under some random post, over a question they dont wona anwser… if yall are rly that much more of a man or some shit why not just move on 😂
Welcome to Reddit. 50% of the population wants to help, 50% wants to troll and talk shit. Those numbers might be off +/- 40%. Keep asking questions. It’s one of the ways we learn. If you want to find an audience that will welcome questions from beginners to advanced, Reddit really isn’t the place. Try [hdforums.com](https://hdforums.com) or another focused group of adults. Buy a service manual, and ask for help around what you don’t understand. Happy riding ✌️
Honestly 50% seems generous. I’m so disappointed with Reddit. It seemed like a bit more user friendly version of the classic online forums which typically have been very helpful and full of support and good advice with only the occasional idiot on there, whereas a large portion Reddit is just a sneering, backhanded, immature group of losers looking to project their insecurities onto others.
Which is why I'm glad there are a good number of active motorcycle and car forums out there still. I go there when I actually need to learn something.
Reddit = porn
I feel like nostalgia is clouding your memory about forums. I couldn’t count the number of forum posts where somebody asked a question and the comments were all “wrong thread ask in __” or “use the search function.” Most people don’t like answering the same question 30 times in the same place.
I’m not talking about every forum on the internet. But there are plenty that lack the snarky population of Reddit. The one I referenced is a great resource. The users certainly want someone to take a shot at solving a problem, but welcome questions if someone is stumped after going at it or just can’t figure out what the manual is saying.
Oil tank.
RTFM before you ride dude
I hide my Captn Morgans in there Seriously tho, thats the Oil tank
It activates turbo boost, press down and twist next time you’re on the highway
Sex hole. Put your dick in it
That’s the notorious Harley glory hole. Some old dude on an FL will go sucky sucky for free
I was told it’s an incredibly attractive woman on the other side…
👀👀👀
What does it matter?
It’s the oil fill. It holds the oil cause Harley’s run a dry sump system. Never check oil cold especially on these motors. Oil tends to drain down into the engine. Running it pumps the oil back up into that tank, then you will get an accurate level reading. It’s very common in sportsters and some softails. Good luck.
Fill free time DM me if you have any questions. Also buy a manual.
It's the harley timer....... much like a turkey timer. When it pops out its time to get another harley.
That's where us big boys warm up our choccy milk. If you forget your straw, there is one clamped near the bottom of the bike. Don't let it get too dark or it tastes real bad!
I don’t understand how someone could buy a motorcycle and know this little about machines. All one has to do is push it to see it is clearly the dip stick. Or, I don’t know, open the manual? Lastly, bought a used bike and didn’t bother to check the oil? Come on- this is clearly a shit post.
This can’t be an honest question.
It absolutely can be. My assumption is this is a young person with their first bike. They didn't grow up in the world of cars that required adjusting carburetors, replacing distributor caps and rotors and oil changes every 3 months/3000 miles. So their attitude towards vehicles is the same as appliances and electronics. Just like the toaster in the kitchen and the phone in their pocket, they expect to simply be able to turn it on, use it and turn it back off without having to give any more effort or thought to it than that. I am NOT denigrating young people by saying this. It's simply the reality of the world that they were born in and have always known, so I always extend them the benefit of the doubt and an enormous amount of patience when they ask questions like this. They genuinely don't know, and it's not really their fault.
Woah woah woah man, can’t have empathy here. /s
*looks left... looks right... realizes where he's at* THAT'S YOUR DIPSTICK, DIP SHIT! *hopes that's better*
At 19 I had a truck, a car and a shovelhead and a girlfriend. ,1982. Today at 62 my 22 year old coworkers talk about gaming.
And you probably bought all those things yourself busting your ass doing a manual labor job 40+ hours a week. Today, "kids" stay on their parents health insurance plan until they turn 26. Again, that isn't a criticism of young people per se. We just live in a different world now.
Pittsburgh steel mill 3 months out of high school. The last day of my senior year, I walked to the mill and filled out a job application.
I see you remember well.
I agree.
[удалено]
When you get your ass beat countless times, you have no choice but to develop a little bit of humility 😄 Now that you know what it is, check it regularly! That bike is an air cooled engine, and since it doesn't have a radiator or coolant system, the only thing keeping it from overheating is the oil in that tank and the air flowing over the fins on the engine. Because of this, it will use more oil than your car by nature of it's design, and you need to make sure the oil level doesn't fall below the "add" mark.
Don’t be so miserable
The first couple of times you work on your bike (if that's what you decide to go), do it with someone experienced. Remember, your life depends on everything going right going down the road. Hell, if you're anywhere in Alabama or surrounding area, I'd ride over to help you with your first couple of maintenances to help you get familiar.
A pop cap for the engine oil tank
SOB will be hot! Stand the bike upright, too.
Ejection button
Oil
emergency piss container
Gloryhole.
Coin slot
that's your stereo connection unit
I do believe that is your oil reservoir
Coolant hole JK don’t put coolant in there
I would also advise you to join xlforum.net . A lot of great info on there and a lot of very knowledgeable and helpful people on that site. Helped me a ton when I had a sporty.
Nitrous button.
thats your hot dog heater. give that little baby a push, twist out the cap, and pop those delicious dogs inside to fry
Dipstick
Windshield washer fluid tank cap
Come on... if they're asking about something as important as an oil tank and dipstick, don't suggest they put anything but oil in it. Some city folks have never owned a car let alone a motorcycle. I've worked with 30+ year olds that have never had a driver's license.
This is the internet, it’s the chance you take. I like being devious hahaha
It’s the holder for your owners/service manual….
I could be a complete asshole here, but I won't. I've been into motorcycles for 50+ years. When I was finally able to get my first Harley-Davidson, I realized they were a different animal. I'm pretty mechanical, but Harley-Davidsons have some unique features. An older biker who I thought was an asshole actually taught me how to wrench on my own bike. His advice was to get a service manual for my bike. He said, "It's the Bible for your bike." He was 100% correct!! He also told me, after giving me shit for hours, since I wanted to learn. He would take the time and teach me. He said, "It's every old bikers responsibility to teach the younger bikers our lifestyle. Otherwise, we all will die." Find yourself a biker friend, listen to them, and learn all you can. Fuck the haters, they don't matter.
The lack of investigation and laziness is astonishing to me. I’d take your man card, but you clearly never had one. Lmao 🤣
Asking a question on a forum dedicated to the topic is investigation dumbass
You’re defending this post lmao 🤣
Yeah, using a harley forum to ask a harley question is the purpose of this site. He might not know what the oil tank is, but you're here on reddit not knowing how it works. You both have knowledge gaps.
oKAy 🤣
See, you don't know how to do sarcastic font either. You're supposed to alternate between capital letters and lowercase. Every time you leave a comment you reveal another knowledge gap, but that's ok, nobody knows everything.
Lack of iq is halarious thank you hahah
Technically you could put your weed in there.
Why is this downvoted? If this was the lame motorcycle sub I’d get it. Has this sub gone full readit pussy too?
Radiator fill cap. Screw the manual, I use straight antifreeze. Oil Tank
>Radiator fill cap. Screw the manual, I use straight antifreeze. I fill mine with single-malt Scotch. That way if it's a long ride and I get thirsty I can get a drink from it.
We should go riding sometime, lol.
Backpack seat ejector.
Do not push the chrome button!
Take it out and stick your weiner in there
No no no no no
It’s the radiator pore water when over heating 😂
Seriously?!
Blinker fluid resivoir
Maaan my woman rides an 883 and she knows this. But yes..oil.
Everyone knows this even the OP. Nobody is simultaneously this clueless about how an engine works and interested enough in riding a bike to investigate what to buy while also putting the effort into learning to ride. This is a full on shit post. Lastly, who would admit to the world that they don’t know where the dip stick is?
that sounds about right.
Ejecto seato cuz!
two stroke oil reservoir
You want to make sure that's off while you're riding. It's so all the oil in the tank can breathe. Trust me.
man, you will be quite familiar with that part if you just bought into the harley brand. second thing you will check right after your gas gauge
That’s the coolant reservoir 🤫
Fuel reserve
Ejection seat button
Fuel tank
Seat ejector
That’s the premium model came with the peepeesucker 5000 highly thought after
I'm thinking access to the wiring running through the frame.