Can't see my oil level

[jamm13dodger]

given it 5 minutes after running the bike to normal running temp and I can't see the oil level - it was 2/3rds full last week - any chance it's empty or do I just need to wait a few more minutes?

Or could it just be that the sight glass is knackered? Any other way to check the level?

Cheers, Rob.

 

[Pukmeister]

Probably just below the bottom of the sight glass. Try adding a little oil and see what happens.

 

[Glyno]

Think it needs quite a while to settle back to its normal level i.e. when its cooled down

 

[Fanum]

Cant see as in it's below the level of the glass and you can see the block behind the window, or can't see as in just can't make it out?


Get down there with a torch and a rag, wipe the window and peer in from close.....assuming you're trying to read it in the same way as usual and it's lower, top it up quick!

I've had a few odd times where I just havent been able to see the level clearly though, until iv'e cleaned the window and got close up with a torch

EDIT......CHECK BEFORE YOU TOP UP!!!

with a helper, it's easy to tilt the bike towards you a bit and you should see the oil level rise into the window....if it's actually full already so you haven't seen the level ABOVE the glass, adding more ouil could be as bad as having too little in!

 

[jamm13dodger]

Ok thanks everyone - I've cleaned it but still can't tell. I'll try tipping the bike towards me.

 

[Fanum]

I'll try tipping the bike towards me.

Get a second person to peer under, or this can easily end in tears

DAMHIK

 

[twizzle]

Anybody there to help lift it off you??

 

[twizzle]

Get a second person to peer under, or this can easily end in tears

DAMHIK

Quick draw Mc Fanum....

 

[Agrajag]

Side stand

Would putting it on the side stand not be enough? Mine leans over so far on the side stand it is a bit scary.

 

[Fanum]

Would putting it on the side stand not be enough? Mine leans over so far on the side stand it is a bit scary.

Probably, but remote control child squashing is more fun

 

[philhunt88]

hi,

i have noticed mine burns abit of oil, ive owned the bike 3 weeks and done just shy off 3000 miles on it and have had to top the oil up by roughly 200-300ml every 1000 miles.

hope this helps

 

[jamm13dodger]

I just used the side stand - is that not tipped over enough?

 

[Fanum]

I just used the side stand - is that not tipped over enough?

If you still can't see an oil level on the side stand, then it must be either EXTREMELY low, or too full.......you do need to establish WHICH before you add oil.

Personally, I'd go out and tilt it more........to the point where you HAVE to have someone else peering at the level because you're holding the fekker up.

Does the window appear very dark, or does it appear silver inside?

FWIW, my money is on it being over the level rather than much below it.....It's unlikely that you'll have dropped from 2/3 of the window to WELL below in a week, but it's easy to go from 2/3 to over the top of the sight glas if you park on sidestand in warm weather before putting up on Centre stand

 

[jamm13dodger]

It's very dark - bugger - guess that means I need to drain some oil - can I do that and re-use the compression washer on the drain plug?

Cheers, Rob.

 

[davegs]

Oil

Are you sure it's not full up?

 

[forest biker]

I used to get that sometimes with mine, for some reason if i undone the oil filer cap the level would go back up

 

[Fanum]

It's very dark - bugger - guess that means I need to drain some oil - can I do that and re-use the compression washer on the drain plug?

Cheers, Rob.

You probably don't need to drain any.......it was at 2/3 before remember?

Just run it up to 2-3 bars temperature, leave on sidestand for 3-5 mins then pop it up on the centre stand......you can't have gained oil since last week, so it's just down the the variation in the way you've taken the reading today

Get used to doing it the SAME WAY everytime.......many people have many different procedures, but as long as you don't do anything silly and you do the same thing every time, it's fine.

I park up, turn off, get my helmet gloves and jacket off and dump them inside, then come back out and whack it on the centrestand.....then I chain it up, look at the sight glass and it's spot on, similar timing each go.....

If it was at 2/3 a week ago, that's good.....at least you haven't lost any significant amounts and won't have damaged the engine

And yes, you can use the same O ring.......I didnt need to change mine until it was 6 years old.

EDIT......oops, I mis-read your post, I was talking about the filler o ring.......
The drain plug one you'll get away with 90% of the time on the first draining, but then change it for the next time......I really don't think you're going to need to drain any out though.

 

[Wapping]

 

[Sgt Bilco]

FFS leave it alone before you do something stupid You don't even know if it's full or empty

When did you last put oil in? When was it last serviced? Was it Ok yesterday?

The oil levels can be temperamental so if it's showing slightly overfull just leave it alone as NOTHING will happen. Go for a long ride, leave it on it's centre stand and I bet a pound to a pinch of shit it's normal tomorrow.

My rule of thimb is as long as it's showing something in there, don't worry

 

[Fanum]

Don't worry Rhisiart....it's my turn to wear the hat of sensibility tonight....you feel free

FFS leave it alone before you do something stupid You don't even know if it's full or empty

Easy fellah

We all learnt sometime