This one has me dumbfounded! The dipstick - when inserted - will go in front of - or behind the delivery pipe on the left side of the oil manifold. The threaded end of the dipstick will thread into the crankcase, either way - but only with some difficulty. The dipstick is in a bind, either way. The dipstick is pressing hard against the delivery pipe - doesn't matter if its in front or behind. Ideally, it wants to go right through the center of the delivery pipe! I wonder how many hours before the dipstick wore through the pipe? -- or how many hours before the pipe wore through the dipstick -- which would then be devoured by the crank and rods??? I mean- who engineers this stuff???!! Anyhow, I have enclosed some pics of the mess. For now, I'm going to plug the hole with a bolt and insert the dipstick periodically to check the oil level. Suggestions, anyone?? ---- Charlie
Addendum: I just found an example of a Power Line twin that had a piece of straight wire hanging from the backside of the unit on a piece of chain. Upon closer examination, I noticed that the engine had the same dipstick arrangement as mine and that the owner had come up with the same solution that I proposed ---- so I guess that others have had the same issue!