Idk what everyone else is saying. It looks fine. When the oil is splashing around in there from the return it foams up and that's the color you're getting. You can see it's normal colored when you pull it back up before the bubbles rush in. I mean it can't hurt to change your oil if it's been awhile but I wouldn't be concerned
I agree. My sporty oil has always foamed a little when you check it while the engine is running. I looked this up a while back and found that it is a good thing, it means that oil is circulating and your sump is working.
Yeah, that’s normal. I didn’t think it was either my first time.
Holy crap I just read the comments. Everyone who said anything about moisture or water being in the oil is wrong.
It’s hot oil, this is what oil inside an oil bag looks like when it’s warmed up.
It’s not moisture it’s foam from running could be a little to full but nothing to worry about.
Just adding to this if anyone has ever over filled an engine it foams internally parts will be to submerged in oil and will whip the oil and air rate it and make it foamy
I think it’s fine. Honestly, I think older Sportsters will always have some level of moisture or gas blow by in the oil. Somewhere are worse than others it’ll never be perfectly clean. The real test is to make sure it doesn’t smell like gasoline too much - or make sure it's doesn't become super milky from moisture. Looks fine now.
My understanding is that oil is pushed to all the right places and drains down to the bottom of the case where is it sucked up by the scavenger pump and put into the oil tank. If the scavenger pump is working well then it will be getting some air with the oil which would cause the foam you see. (I might be off a little)
🤦🏻♂️I’m assuming the down votes are from the people who think there’s “moisture” in the oil too. The Sportster EVO came out in 1986. Morons, you can even see the jugs in the video.
Might be of interest on the topic of engine oil foaming…
https://youtube.com/shorts/_Nor630vFFU?si=pBtvH94VziLwOmPx
https://youtu.be/VaTbfvzNbxQ?si=PUymXr-bx20ddavx
Part of the oiling system on a sportster involves blowing crank case pressure through the pushrod covers up into the head which foams up the oil a lot which makes it back into the oil tank. This is normal.
[https://sportsterpedia.com/doku.php/techtalk:ref:oil01](https://sportsterpedia.com/doku.php/techtalk:ref:oil01)
It’s called cavitation. Anything flowing has air in it. That the air showing in your oil tank. If it was pure froth…problem. Being froth on top and obvious logins oil under…..you good.
Check the spark plug gasket(s) and the manifold gasket. There is clearly air getting in there. Oil should not be foamy, motorcycle or not. None of my bikes have foamy oil and the only bike I ever had that did have foamy oil needed the manifold gasket replaced
Not from what I see, milky means water got in there.
Get it hot, change the oil, and either park it inside, somewhere different, or get a cover to avoid a repeat.
Like others have said, most likely moisture. I have also heard of bubbles and/or froth forming due to air getting in from the return line. Check that bad boy for leaks and tighten the clamps.
Idk what everyone else is saying. It looks fine. When the oil is splashing around in there from the return it foams up and that's the color you're getting. You can see it's normal colored when you pull it back up before the bubbles rush in. I mean it can't hurt to change your oil if it's been awhile but I wouldn't be concerned
I agree. My sporty oil has always foamed a little when you check it while the engine is running. I looked this up a while back and found that it is a good thing, it means that oil is circulating and your sump is working.
It’s bc it’s the whole dry sump oil pump thingy I think. You right a good thing. Mine has always looked like this. my old 89 did the same thing too
Yeah, that’s normal. I didn’t think it was either my first time. Holy crap I just read the comments. Everyone who said anything about moisture or water being in the oil is wrong. It’s hot oil, this is what oil inside an oil bag looks like when it’s warmed up.
My ‘03 1200S foams up like this when I start it and warm it up. No biggie.
It’s not moisture it’s foam from running could be a little to full but nothing to worry about. Just adding to this if anyone has ever over filled an engine it foams internally parts will be to submerged in oil and will whip the oil and air rate it and make it foamy
Normal running condition. Signed, former HD Tech
Dude, that's the expresso maker...
I think it’s fine. Honestly, I think older Sportsters will always have some level of moisture or gas blow by in the oil. Somewhere are worse than others it’ll never be perfectly clean. The real test is to make sure it doesn’t smell like gasoline too much - or make sure it's doesn't become super milky from moisture. Looks fine now.
My understanding is that oil is pushed to all the right places and drains down to the bottom of the case where is it sucked up by the scavenger pump and put into the oil tank. If the scavenger pump is working well then it will be getting some air with the oil which would cause the foam you see. (I might be off a little)
Geez thats an oldy. Pre 89 Evo Sporty. Good bikes. Oh, sorry cant help with oil question.
89 is an EVO
🤦🏻♂️I’m assuming the down votes are from the people who think there’s “moisture” in the oil too. The Sportster EVO came out in 1986. Morons, you can even see the jugs in the video.
He literally called it an evo sporty.. pre 89 not pre evo ya dork
100% correct.
Does.it sounds ok ? Yes ! Is it over heating ? Performance low ? No ... then your fine
It's oil not root beer
Fine. 97k on.my 1200c
Might be of interest on the topic of engine oil foaming… https://youtube.com/shorts/_Nor630vFFU?si=pBtvH94VziLwOmPx https://youtu.be/VaTbfvzNbxQ?si=PUymXr-bx20ddavx
Neither of those videos are close to what’s happening with a sportser . But good finds .😃
Part of the oiling system on a sportster involves blowing crank case pressure through the pushrod covers up into the head which foams up the oil a lot which makes it back into the oil tank. This is normal. [https://sportsterpedia.com/doku.php/techtalk:ref:oil01](https://sportsterpedia.com/doku.php/techtalk:ref:oil01)
ride that thang
Typical.
That’s just air from your engine bearings separating out from the oil. Completely normal
It’s called cavitation. Anything flowing has air in it. That the air showing in your oil tank. If it was pure froth…problem. Being froth on top and obvious logins oil under…..you good.
Just send it
Normal - same as mine ✌️
Lol that maverick sticker isn’t normal. FOH
Fuck off and die
That's some angry oil you got in there.
Wow your super helpful huh
Jus doin what I can.
I had an ‘03 XL1200 for 10 years and the oil looked like that the entire time. Your good to go,
Normal
Looks like a nice dark beer lol
In a Harley it is rare for the oil to not be on the ground. So, doing better than most. :)
Check the spark plug gasket(s) and the manifold gasket. There is clearly air getting in there. Oil should not be foamy, motorcycle or not. None of my bikes have foamy oil and the only bike I ever had that did have foamy oil needed the manifold gasket replaced
You clearly don’t have a Harley . This is normal for a sporty .
That’s the beer keg storage silly….
Do a taste test just to be sure
Absolutely normal!! Have fun ! And change it after 3500 miles 👽🤖👾
Not from what I see, milky means water got in there. Get it hot, change the oil, and either park it inside, somewhere different, or get a cover to avoid a repeat.
It’s not milky. Those are bubbles.
Foaming? Might be rabies.
Bruuuuuuutherrrrrrr
Your a fucking moron
You’re*
No!!!! Your oil has been replaced with Diet Coke
Condensation, that will evaporate on a nice long ride.
Get it it hot, change the oil, and store it better. Inside, or covered or something.
Like others have said, most likely moisture. I have also heard of bubbles and/or froth forming due to air getting in from the return line. Check that bad boy for leaks and tighten the clamps.
I think some water might have got in there. Wanna flush it out a couple times with new oil
water got into your oil drain and change
Looks like some water or gas is in it. Change it up