oil puddle

[Bradley]

I have a 1968 flh that has been sitting upright on a lift for 3 months.Iput new hydraulic lifters in yesterday and tried to start it,the battery was low so I turned it off and walked away.When I came back 5 minutes later there was a large puddle of oil under the rear chain oiler, what could cause this?

[Rubone]

The oil from your tank has drained into the engine, a condition referred to as sumping. It is quite common on bikes that st for extended periods. Sometimes it never occurs again, sometimes it does. And some bikes never do it. The condition of the check ball in the oil pump is a possible cause.
It will make a big mess but is not harmful. DO NOT add oil to the tank until you have started the bike and allowed it to pump it back to the tank or you will have an overfull situation and an even bigger mess.
When it does start it will puke a lot of oil so put a pan under it.
Robbie

[Bradley]

thanks Rub