| Author | Message | ||
     Javaman21011 |
Noobish question, but has anyone found a better dipstick than the stock one? I just bought a 2009 CR and apparently have a strong grip because I already cross threaded the original stick and am about the •••• up the replacement. I think the plastic dipsticks are a bit flimsy so I'd love to get something made of, I dunno, metal. Maybe even an analog one so I don't have to take it out so often. I've heard there are digital ones that Harley sells but I have no idea if that would be a viable solution. Thoughts? | ||
| 99buellx1 |
The stock one is analog. And, no, the HD one will not work. | ||
| Randy_bowers |
Stick with the stock stick and don't crank it down so tight, doesn't take that much to keep them in. And the HD stick does not screw in. | ||
| Froggy |
If you are wadding up a plastic dipstick, just imagine the damage you will cause to the engine if you destroy a metal one. I have no idea what you are doing wrong, but they just twist on like a soda bottle top. | ||
| Gofastalot99 |
Yes, I had the same problem and cross-threaded the first one within 100 miles. I'm on my second and am just a lot more careful now. Even so, I am picking up a spare at the dealership since it can take a week or more to get one. | ||
| Javaman21011 |
Ah thanks for the tips. I'll try and not screw up the 2nd dipstick any further (I have already started to cross thread it but hopefully it's still usable). I got confused when people were throwing around the term 'analog'. I thought it meant an analog reading, like when you look at an analog clock, kinda like this: http://www.stpaulharley.com/v/vspfiles/photos/6296 2-01A-2T.jpg | ||
| Froggy |
Analog basically means anything thats not a digital display. Both the stock stick and the one you linked are analog. | ||
| Stirz007 |
Hey Java - The 1125 is a damn sight better than the XB - hate that bendy thing...but yeah, better ease up on the coffee before you snug that thing up - you been working out or something? | ||
| Javaman21011 |
Hahah! Nah I just like checking it often. Thing is I don't have any gear to make the bike upright so I have to sit on it and try and check it, boy is that fun. Don't even get me started on the screw up when they shipped it to me, so I'm being extra-careful with the oil. | ||
| Stirz007 |
I hear ya! I've done the "sit backwards on the bike to keep it straight so I could check the oil without the bike falling over" thing a couple of times. | ||
| Poppawheelie |
I just prop the kickstand in a couple thin boards or an old shop manual and check it with an ever so slight lean. | ||
| Javaman21011 |
Good idea Poppa, I should put those damned yellow pages to good use. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I have a piece of electrical conduit with threaded rod through it for strength, that I slide through the rear axle and place on a pair of jackstands for "center stand" work on the CR. I have a pitbull...but the rod is actually easier to maneuver as long as I'm not changing a rear tire. And I crossed up my dipstick tonight doing a hot oil check. Cleaned the threads off and got it to seat right...but never had a problem doing cold checks, which I've been doing so far, but with what appeared to be "continuously disappearing oil" on the cold checks, I wanted to check it hot to be safe (still only 1400 miles on the ol' girl...but accumulating...uh..more rapidly than I should according to those white signs with the black numbers on 'em). The threads are pretty fine-cut, and when the 'stick is hot they do get pretty soft. Although I do side with Froggy - at least it's only soft plastic coming apart, not aluminum. | ||
| Stirz007 |
Rat - I've done the rod through the axle trick, too. Turns out, milk crates are just the right height and I got a few of those laying around... | ||
| Ratbuell |
Hm, might have to try the milk crates. My jackstands are about an inch and a half too tall...technically not a "level surface" for the oil check... | ||
| Clk92vette |
I also boogered up my plastic threads on my first hot oil check. I managed to clean the threads with a three plane file and screw it back in. I would buy an aftermarket aluminum dip stick if they were available. | ||
| Drdorsey |
My CR dipstick is crossthreaded. I think the clearance and angle has something to do with it. I rarely check the oil level, not due to the crossthreading, but because I never seem to get the same reading twice. |
