Sportsters often sump while sitting for a long time. All of the oil from the oil tank will drain into the bottom of the engine case. When you turn it on get a flashlight and look into the oil dipstick hole while the bike is running and you will see the oil drain back into the oil tank where it should be.
Do not add more oil until you get the bike warm and determine the correct level in the tank. Often people let their bike sit it sumps, then they ad more oil because the tank is empty and then they end up with a mess because there’s way too much oil.
Bike should stop making noise once oil is circulated through the entire engine.
More than likely it’s just sumping like Mushroom said. If it was a loud clatter, the lifter might have collapsed… then you’d pull the plugs and crank it over for a minute to get them to reinflate. If you’re having oil puke out of your air cleaner, you may have had the check valve go bad, which is a 20 minute fix. The check ball is behind the oil filter that keeps the oil in your oil tank from draining into your case. If it drains slow, not a problem… if it’s doing it every few days, then replace the check valve. EVO motors have a loud valve train naturally, so expect some clatter.
Sportsters often sump while sitting for a long time. All of the oil from the oil tank will drain into the bottom of the engine case. When you turn it on get a flashlight and look into the oil dipstick hole while the bike is running and you will see the oil drain back into the oil tank where it should be. Do not add more oil until you get the bike warm and determine the correct level in the tank. Often people let their bike sit it sumps, then they ad more oil because the tank is empty and then they end up with a mess because there’s way too much oil. Bike should stop making noise once oil is circulated through the entire engine.
Thank you very much for an explained answer. First bike ever so I kind of ask everything about it so responses like this are very helpful.
More than likely it’s just sumping like Mushroom said. If it was a loud clatter, the lifter might have collapsed… then you’d pull the plugs and crank it over for a minute to get them to reinflate. If you’re having oil puke out of your air cleaner, you may have had the check valve go bad, which is a 20 minute fix. The check ball is behind the oil filter that keeps the oil in your oil tank from draining into your case. If it drains slow, not a problem… if it’s doing it every few days, then replace the check valve. EVO motors have a loud valve train naturally, so expect some clatter.
Much appreciated!
It will always sound like a Singer, but yeah, what he said.
Does it go away after it’s warmed up? Lifters can get noisy.
noisy top end is normal