SuzukiSavage.com - oil level

rl153

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oil level
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

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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Online Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28884 L.A. California Gender:	Re: oli level Reply #1 - 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.
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rl153 Serious Thumper Offline S40 Just right! Posts: 906 Bloomfield,CT Gender:	Re: oil level Reply #2 - 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.
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Stimpy - FSO

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Re: oil level
Reply #3 - 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 Cheesy

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^{"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

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Recently sold 97'savage (change of residence) - looking to buy another - just bought a temp, a great SR125 called 'methadone'

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prechermike

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Re: oil level
Reply #4 - 06/04/09 at 14:30:27

rl153 wrote 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.

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.

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2006, HD pipe, Tkat fork brace, elkhide handgrips, gel seat w/riser, silverblue, Ed L's forward controls, Wristwatch, biblethumper650@gmail.com

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rl153 Serious Thumper Offline S40 Just right! Posts: 906 Bloomfield,CT Gender:	Re: oil level Reply #5 - 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
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Reelthing Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Fish or ride that is the question Posts: 5397 Houston,Tx Gender:	Re: oil level Reply #6 - 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.
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Online Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28884 L.A. California Gender:	Re: oil level Reply #7 - 06/04/09 at 15:29:48 If you blew your seals there'd be oil on the floor.
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rl153 Serious Thumper Offline S40 Just right! Posts: 906 Bloomfield,CT Gender:	Re: oil level Reply #8 - 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.
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Pabst 2006

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Re: oil level
Reply #9 - 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.

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2008 S40 - Red

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craigq Junior Member Alliance Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 80 Ottawa, ON Gender:	Re: oil level Reply #10 - 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
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: oil level Reply #11 - 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.
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photojoe FSO

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Re: oil level
Reply #12 - 06/05/09 at 05:43:30

justin_o_guy2 wrote 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.

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.

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FSO

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Jay Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1445 Fort Worth, Texas Gender:	Re: oil level Reply #13 - 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.
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dasch

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Re: oil level
Reply #14 - 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.

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