Too much oil

[Tfrank59]

When I changed my oil yesterday, contrary to the recommendation in my manual, I put in four whole quarts.  Well after putting in about 3.8 quarts, I ran it for a while, checked the oil, and seemed like it was still low like halfway up the stick.  I even waited a few minutes for the oil to drain back down into the sump before checking it, but it still didn't read full. So I dumped in the other rest of that fourth quart. (And I seem to recall in one of my previous oil changes doing this and it was fine, just exactly full at 4 quarts). Now when I check it it's over the top of the full line by about an eighth of an inch.  Is this going to cause problems – should I try to drain out a little bit?  I've never really tried doing that -- pull the drain plug for two seconds and put it back in. Seems like a bad idea.  What's the best advice on this?

[old2soon]

IF you REALLY want to remove that small amount of oil I'd suggest a vacuum setup. You just KNOW what trying to loosen-remove-reinstall oil drain plug with a full crankcase will lead to!  I KNOW you KNOW! RIDE SAFE.

[Bone]

Leave it alone and ride.
Many riders use 4 full quarts without a problem. Mine has the full gallon I added 2 weeks ago.

[98valk]

best way to remove some oil is loosening the oil filter or completely removing it.

I always use an oversized Pure1 filter for the 4 quarts/gallon. OS gives more filtration and lowers pressure through the filter so the relief valve will not open as much.

[Patrick]

4 qts should not be a problem. However I don't like the oil being an 1/8" overfilled. It appears you didn't get all the old oil out. I find these monsters will take more than 4 qts if all the oil is removed.
If you want to drain out some oil, then just do it with the oil filter. Just unscrew it and then put it back on.
Also, the bike should be straight up and dipstick just resting [ not screwed in] on engine block when checking the oil level.

[Mtn Valk]

+1 on loosening or removing your oil filter. I did this earlier in the week after ending up over the full mark. Just wait for the oil to return to the sump, then unscrew the filter completely. As you do this, there will be little or no oil lost until you start pouring it out of the filter. No additional oil will be lost as you screw the filter back into place.

[Tfrank59]

Okay, I cracked open the filter this AM and what came out of the spout and what I dumped out of the filter was exactly what put her over the full mark.  Very painless to do.  Great advice--thanks!!

[Bronxboy]

I drain my oil right after a ride. Seems to run out much better when the oil is Hot. I let it drain out completely while on it's side on the stand. Then I prop her up straight and let her drain out again, once she is dry I do the filter.

I then dump the entire 4 quart container of Rotella T 5/40 in, and she is always dead on full.

[Jess from VA]

once she is dry I do the filter.

I also drain right after a ride.  

But it's really better to remove the filter and fill hole cap and dip stick before draining the crankcase.  More open holes on top allow more air in and more oil out.  I also lean the bike way over to the right while sitting on it, after allowing all to drain on the stand.

And no matter how careful I am, I get drips and splats on the driveway, so now all changes are preceded by a lawn and leaf bag under the bike.

[Tfrank59]

I drain my oil right after a ride. Seems to run out much better when the oil is Hot. I let it drain out completely while on it's side on the stand. Then I prop her up straight and let her drain out again, once she is dry I do the filter.

I then dump the entire 4 quart container of Rotella T 5/40 in, and she is always dead on full.

Yep, last Sat I drained her right after a long ride--very hot--did just like you described tipping it both ways to get all the oil out--hard to believe some still stayed in there but I guess some did.

[Patrick]

Its best to drain oil when the engine is warm.
With a Valk, I tip it to the right [ stand under the crash bar] and jack the front up a bit to make sure all the oil comes out[ usually more than 4 qts].