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View Full Version : Checking the oil level and question about the cooling fan



cknapp
04-03-2017, 08:49 PM
New to the forum, owned a Cyclone a few years ago and loved it, sold it for tuition $. Tried my first Harley (04 Sportster 1200r) and after 1 season I'm ready to go back to Buells. Just bought an 06 Ulysses with 20k miles and well taken care of (for the most part).

I've done some searching here and on bad weather bikers but didn't find a good answer:

1) Changed the oil (2.5 qts) and let it idle for 15 minutes in 50 deg F weather. Shut it off and the oil is only on the Add section of the dipstick. Checked it while it was on the kickstand and threaded it fully. What's the deal?

2) After shutting it off to check the oil level, the fan kicked on and ran for about a minute before I became concerned, then turned the key on and off which happened to turn the fan off. Is it normal for it to shut off after turning on and off the key? And is it normal for the fan to run like that, given the conditions above?

3) I've noticed that the later Ulysses's have a different cooling logic, is this something that many people "upgrade" to on their older Ulys like mine? Or just let it be?

I've only test ridden it for now but I can't wait to get it licensed and start riding and to sell that damned Sportster.

Simplymichaeljr
04-03-2017, 09:32 PM
Did you fill the change oil filter and fill the new one up with oil, then put the rest of the 2.5q into the swingarm? The fan is fine, our bikes get hot just sitting there with no wind hitting the cooling fins of the engine. I have a oil temp. Gauge installed and the bike will be hotter sitting there then if I really get on the throttle on the open roads.

user_deleted
04-03-2017, 11:08 PM
click on my name. go to my posts/answers. start to scroll. complete post within the last 24 hours on fans....ecm logic for same....what is correct and what isn't.
then continue to scroll to "oil level check" thread. you will see a full complete correct "only one way to properly check engine oil level" answer i authored within the past 2 weeks. it will answer all your questions.

cknapp
04-03-2017, 11:36 PM
@simplymichaeljr Yes I did that when changing the oil. Regarding the fan, having it run for 3 minutes or whatever it takes, after the bike is shut off, does that put a lot of strain on the battery?

cknapp
04-03-2017, 11:51 PM
@lunaticfringe Thanks. Yeah I actually already read that cooling fan thread. My question was is it beneficial for the bike to be running the newer fan logic? I mean they changed it up for a reason, I would assume they found those new settings to benefit the bike better? Or is it more along the lines of that the old fan settings were overkill and they dialed it down (increased the temp threshold that it kicks on) for rider comfort/less wear on the fan?

I went back as far as I could go in your history (march 4 2017) and didn't see anything about oil level checks. Also searched the xb12x forum for "oil level check" and came back with nothing. Basically I'm just wondering if I actually need more than 2.5qts. My ****ty Sportster service manual called for about .5 qt more than it would hold so that's where my apprehension is from. Also, does the suspension setting drastically impact the shown level of oil? Because if it's stiffer it won't squat as much and the swing arm will be more upright, if that makes sense. Maybe there isn't even enough of a change for that to matter.

njloco
04-04-2017, 12:36 AM
Level surface, bike warmed up and running on kick stand, check oil !
Did I get it right guys ?

cknapp
04-04-2017, 12:49 AM
Level surface, bike warmed up and running on kick stand, check oil !
Did I get it right guys ?

I'm 99% sure you wouldn't want it running....everything else I did though. Still only showing on the "add" section of the dipstick.

user_deleted
04-04-2017, 01:13 AM
@lunaticfringe Thanks. Yeah I actually already read that cooling fan thread. My question was is it beneficial for the bike to be running the newer fan logic? I mean they changed it up for a reason, I would assume they found those new settings to benefit the bike better? Or is it more along the lines of that the old fan settings were overkill and they dialed it down (increased the temp threshold that it kicks on) for rider comfort/less wear on the fan?

I went back as far as I could go in your history (march 4 2017) and didn't see anything about oil level checks. Also searched the xb12x forum for "oil level check" and came back with nothing. Basically I'm just wondering if I actually need more than 2.5qts. My ****ty Sportster service manual called for about .5 qt more than it would hold so that's where my apprehension is from. Also, does the suspension setting drastically impact the shown level of oil? Because if it's stiffer it won't squat as much and the swing arm will be more upright, if that makes sense. Maybe there isn't even enough of a change for that to matter.
there is ONE and only ONE definitive, consistent, highly accurate method to check XB oil level for all years and models XB's and no....suspension settings irrelevant. and it goes like this:
1-on level surface with bike on sidestand and NOTHING under the sidestand.
2-ride bike until sufficiently warm. driveline must be sufficiently warm. that means you can place your bare hand on both the primary cover and left side of swingarm and feel warmth. does NOT have to boiling hot....just warm to the touch.
3-stop....park bike on sidestand.....dismount....remove gear...fetch a cloth or paper towel....remove dipstick.
4-NOW check the oil level. if within the XXXXX range on dipstick you're good to go. IMPORTANT: the "add oil" range on the factory dipstick somewhat inconsistent. if level at bottom of range add ONE PINT.....NOT ONE QUART. some manuals say quart but that typically results in an over-filled condtion.
don't know why this isn't one of those G damn sticky things on here. i post this up weekly it seems.

BuellyBagger
04-04-2017, 01:17 AM
Updated fan logic is ddfi3 only so 08 and up. Your fan is working properly from the description. Right side scoop will cut down on during and post ride fan running.

cknapp
04-04-2017, 01:26 AM
@lunatic I guess I just need to get it hotter. I thought idling for 15 minutes would the trick. I thought maybe there was some unusual trick that I was unaware of. I should be getting it licensed later this week so I'll take it for a ride assuming its not 35 and raining. Thanks

cknapp
04-04-2017, 01:28 AM
@buellybagger oh alright. Wasn't sure if sure if someone had come up with a tune to emulate that logic for the non ddfi3 ecms. I do have the scoop on both sides. I think it was part of the comfort kit? I just bought it and the previous owner had them in there.

njloco
04-04-2017, 02:10 AM
Why can't it be running when checking the oil ?

cknapp
04-04-2017, 02:44 AM
Bc I believe some of the oil would be in the system and not all collected in the swing arm. But someone correct me if I'm wrong

Simplymichaeljr
04-04-2017, 08:21 AM
^^^^^The dipstick level is based off the manuals instructions to check while bike is off--which the pump isn't pumping oil into the drive train and is all sitting in the swingarm. It's just like a car.

midway
04-04-2017, 01:39 PM
Don't forget to thread the dipstick until fully seated then back it out to read oil level. I don't see this as part of Lunitic's tutorial in this thread.

cknapp
04-04-2017, 01:46 PM
Don't forget to thread the dipstick until fully seated then back it out to read oil level. I don't see this as part of Lunitic's tutorial in this thread.

Yep, did that too. But good for anyone else who happens to read this. I think I just need to get it warmed up more. It's still barely 50 out here in Michigan.

midway
04-04-2017, 02:01 PM
Yep, did that too. But good for anyone else who happens to read this. I think I just need to get it warmed up more. It's still barely 50 out here in Michigan. As for the cooling fan being annoying, I notice 3 levels of speed depending on outside temperature. I didn't care for it screaming on high last summer while sitting at traffic stops so I looked into the extra scoop from the comfort kit. This has pretty much shut the fan down in 50-60 degree weather and it barely comes on and then only low speed. I think in the heat of this summer I will be very pleased with the extra air scoop. Lance can help you out, easy to install.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/M0851-7AA-M0852-7AA-New-Buell-Right-Scoop-Kit-All-XB-Models-L19C-/282414028601?hash=item41c1301739:g:k4AAAMXQVERSzv3 ~&vxp=mtr

cknapp
04-04-2017, 03:20 PM
As for the cooling fan being annoying, I notice 3 levels of speed depending on outside temperature. I didn't care for it screaming on high last summer while sitting at traffic stops so I looked into the extra scoop from the comfort kit. This has pretty much shut the fan down in 50-60 degree weather and it barely comes on and then only low speed. I think in the heat of this summer I will be very pleased with the extra air scoop. Lance can help you out, easy to install.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/M0851-7AA-M0852-7AA-New-Buell-Right-Scoop-Kit-All-XB-Models-L19C-/282414028601?hash=item41c1301739:g:k4AAAMXQVERSzv3 ~&vxp=mtr

Thanks. The previous owner has actually already installed these. I'll have a better idea of how it behaves when I take it for a longer ride. Just got it a week ago and getting the plates in two days. Can't wait :up:

cknapp
04-20-2017, 01:19 AM
Just to follow up, it got pretty warm (70F) yesterday and I drove the bike hard, oil is about an 1/8th of an inch below full :up: so it's all good. I just needed to get it hot apparently.

Tbone
05-03-2017, 05:07 PM
Enjoy your Uly! Probably one of the best bikes ever made, even with it's idiosyncrasies.

njloco
05-03-2017, 06:48 PM
I agree ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ !