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Message started by rl153 on 06/04/09 at 14:08:40

Title: oil level
Post by rl153 on 06/04/09 at 14:08:40

I can't tell if I added too much oil .It seemed low a few weeks ago and since then I added a whole quart . It seems like the level reading is hazy and possibly the whole window is full. Iwiped it . I think I see the level line in the middle when I look with a flashlight but it's unclear and I'm not sure if it's a relection line of some kind . Do you think adding a whole quart in a month would fill it too much? I rode about 60 miles. .I guess I will drain it ,And fill it again.Thanks

Title: Re: oli level
Post by verslagen1 on 06/04/09 at 14:15:27

Do you know how to read the oil level?

Are you holding the bike upright while reading the oil level?

You can tip the bike further and the oil level should appear.

If you have the bike on the stand, and the window isn't completely clear of oil, you have way too much oil in the sump and you're going to blow out your seals. :o

Title: Re: oil level
Post by rl153 on 06/04/09 at 14:21:18

Thanks I was driving it around today about 10 miles .I think it's too full .I don't think I blew the seals yet ,.Thanks for the info . I checked it with the bike level ,I'll check it with it leaning on the stand .Wow.

Title: Re: oil level
Post by Stimpy on 06/04/09 at 14:26:53

Too much oil "blows your seals"

What seals, valve seals?

...mmmm, maybe that's what happened to my bike :D

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

^{"I'll check it with it leaning on the stand"}

You DO NOT check your oil "with the bike leaning on the stand"
You check it with the bike on the stand + a brick or something
that makes it stand exactly balanced in the middle on BOTH axis.

Good luck
RP

Title: Re: oil level
Post by prechermike on 06/04/09 at 14:30:27

2D2437282F2470737878410 wrote:

You do need to check the oil with the bike level. If you can't see anything while it is level you can lean it over farther toward the right and you should see the oil then. If it is one the stand and you see oil, there is way too much.

Title: Re: oil level
Post by rl153 on 06/04/09 at 15:09:34

I just drained out a pint and a half ,and now I see the level between the marks. I can't believe I did that.. How can I tell if I blew my seals .It's not smoking .And it seems to be running ok . Mabee a little rougher or that might be my imagination.I think I only went about ten miles with it too full .Thanks

Title: Re: oil level
Post by Reelthing on 06/04/09 at 15:29:29

That's quite a bit extra - drain the air box as well may have a pretty good collection of oil in there.

Title: Re: oil level
Post by verslagen1 on 06/04/09 at 15:29:48

If you blew your seals there'd be oil on the floor. :o

Title: Re: oil level
Post by rl153 on 06/04/09 at 16:17:29

well there is no oil on the floor . which seals are they? The air box is where the air filter is ,right? I'll check it .I think I might have dodged the bullet.thanks for all your help,any other advice would be appreciated.

Title: Re: oil level
Post by Pabst 2006 on 06/04/09 at 17:45:52

Air box is accessed with the right side cover, remove the seat first and remove the right side cover (recent models have the S40 emblem on them) to access airbox.

When I check the oil I usually kneel with my left knee down, grab right footpeg with my left hand and grab the black-painted downtube with my right hand, that way I can hold the frame of the bike level easily (my arms aren't all that strong) while I lean down to check the oil level.

I guess the "brick under the side stand" method is a lot better, I just never happen to have anything handy sitting nearby at the time.

Title: Re: oil level
Post by craigq on 06/04/09 at 17:58:36

I sort of straddle the bike/holding it upright & level and use a mirror propped up to check the oil level :-?

Title: Re: oil level
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/05/09 at 04:19:03

I grab the throttle, drop to my left knee & stand the bike up at the same time. Then I gently wobble the bike back & forth, looking for the spot where Im not pushing or pulling. Thats straight up & down. Its okay if its over one way or the other a bit, its not neurosurgery, but leaning on the sidestand? Thats too much.

Title: Re: oil level
Post by photojoe on 06/05/09 at 05:43:30

3C2325223F3809390931232F64560 wrote:

I use the same approach. What happened last week was I was on one knee with my hand on the front brake/throttle tilting the bike over. I heard the kick stand flip up (recently greased it). I stood up slowly, but thought I was going to lose her there for a second. But yeah, a piece of 2x4 or something similar would probably be a better approach.

The oil window on my '87 is in really rough shape, same as my brake fluid window, so the light has to be just right to get a good reading. I have better success at night using a flashlight.

Title: Re: oil level
Post by Jay on 06/05/09 at 06:26:58

I found a small telescoping mirror at Harbor Freight that I use while sitting on the bike. Keep it in my riding jacket as a reminder to frequently check oil. I also have a small .30 cal ammo box that sets the bike up level on the kickstand. The sight glass is a poor choice for something as important as oil level. I would prefer a dipstick.

Title: Re: oil level
Post by dasch on 06/05/09 at 09:45:06

Too much oil creates a hydraulic shock every time piston goes down pushed by the explosion in the cylinder. This rapid pulse usually pushes oil through axle bearings and seals. On older manual shift cars it starts gushin' from clutch and around the distributor, also on the dipstick, wherever it finds least resistance. On a bike... you should see it coming around the front belt pulley and maybe from timing inspection/adjustment tab screw. You didn't blow seals. You would know it. And you did dodge the bullet. Take it easy.

Title: Re: oil level
Post by rl153 on 06/05/09 at 13:01:52

I looked in the air box and there was no oil in there and the filter looked good . Another thing,Should the oil level in the window be right to the full mark or lower ,Thanks again for all your help.

Title: Re: oil level
Post by verslagen1 on 06/05/09 at 13:17:40

Inbetween, if it's over the top a little, lean the bike the other way. ;D

Title: Re: oil level
Post by John_D on 06/05/09 at 15:26:36

2F3036312C2B1A2A1A22303C77450 wrote:

I use a similar approach. I have the bike in gear (I always leave it in 1st when shutting down), and the forks locked. Then kneel down on my left knee, grab the handlebar riser, tilt the bike toward me, and check the oil. With the forks locked, the center of gravity is shifted slightly to the left side of the bike, which comes in handy for my method of filling. Block up under the kickstand with enough stuff to get the bike setting level. With the forks locked (to the left of course) the resulting shift of the center of gravity to the left will help keep the bike from tipping on over when sitting level. Then top of, making sure not to tug on anything enough to bring her over on top of you! ;D