Checking oil level - hot or cold?

[MotoKnee]

I agree with the cold thing, at least on these types of motors (it doesn't make sense on some dry sump motors depending on how the system is plumbed and if it has the ability to drain down while sitting for periods of time - reference Sportsters).

But on the geometry thing - I didn't do "the maths" but instead I did the "practical test" and on the V7III with the US kickstand it made quite the difference - like the distance of ~half a quart on the dipstick (inserted sitting on top of the threads in both instances - which is another "preference" of mine).

Not being the first owner had me a little nervous about proper oil levels in my new to me racer. Checking nearly vertical, on the tires, cold, dipped not screwed, mine was full to the top of the hatch marks. Which then made me nervous about oil in the airbox, but it turned out to be clean and dry, not even a mist. No longer nervous, just riding.
No "Get Smart" fans here? The character's name is Maxwell Smart, not Adam

[SIR REAL ED]

Not being the first owner had me a little nervous about proper oil levels in my new to me racer. Checking nearly vertical, on the tires, cold, dipped not screwed, mine was full to the top of the hatch marks. Which then made me nervous about oil in the airbox, but it turned out to be clean and dry, not even a mist. No longer nervous, just riding.
No "Get Smart" fans here? The character's name is Maxwell Smart, not Adam

"Get Smart" fans?
How bout Smart fans?
 

[normzone]

I rode to Arizona once (okay, always) at a breakneck pace, and stopped for fuel there. Checked the oil, and it was a half quart low. Well, I had been flogging it, so I bought a quart and put somewhat less than half in.

Next morning, my cold bike had puked an oil puddle during the night. Oil level was just fine.

Oh, and I am selling the bike, first 1K USD cash takes it. I am just overwhelmed with work and apartment complex rules - rumor has it they're going to begin levying additional charges for air, sunlight, and gravity.

[Muzz]

I had a stick fly out and disappear on the road.I only noticed when my leg was wet. I wonder if they’re tighter or looser when hot.

As did I. Seems like the early (2003 and a bit later) 750 smallblocks had a habit of doing this. Some quite inventive methods of solving the problem. My friend printed off on his 3D printer one of those plastic spanners that fit around the dipstick knob. No problems since then.

My 2003 Breva has it's oil checked level, hot and with the knob screwed in. I gather on later ones they changed it with the knob NOT screwed in, but don't know the year this happened. On my first oil change I measured out the 1.8 lits specified, went for a ride, then checked it. It was dead on the full mark. Checked it when cold and on mine at least there was very little difference.

[Vagrant]

It appears that putting a thicker O ring on the dipstick fixed it on my 2016 that would spit it out when very tight. Origional O ring was only a few thousands above the top of the groove. But, I still haven't removed the safety wire.

[Dirk_S]

Those who’ve had a dipstick come loose—do you recall if you threaded it in when the engine was cold? I’ve always checked my oil when the engine was hot, hand right, and have always been able to remove it with my hand. Never needed a wrench during these 40,000 miles accumulated.

I wonder if threading the stick into a cold engine might make for a loose stick when the bike’s hot?

[Vagrant]

I don't recall. I do check both ways. I do know it was in tight! My 15 and 17 never came loose. I'm sure they used the wrong O rings or cut the groove too deep.

[dguzzi]

"Get Smart" fans?
How bout Smart fans?
 

  Missed it by that much! (agent 86 voice)
  So adding to the confusion a Harpers Outsider, or any spacer for the sump. A new mark at the 3 Qt level is helpful.

[MotoKnee]

The oil pick up is there, which makes sense. It’s close, but as Adam Smart, ‘missed it by that much’

Ooops, I quoted the wrong post with the Get Smart reference. Sorry about that chief!

[dguzzi]

   Oh Max....   (99's sexy voice)

[Muzz]

Those who’ve had a dipstick come loose—do you recall if you threaded it in when the engine was cold?

Cold.

[slowmover]

Cold. On a 2010 Classic