CHECKING OIL & CHAIN TENSION GS 700

[Gordyman]

OIL:
The official BMW guidance for checking the oil is to do it when the engine is warmed up ie after warming the engine from cold or after a run. Leave the bike for about five minutes for the oil to drain back and then check the level. I do do this by leaving the bike, taking my gear off etc and then check the level. What I wonder is if I did this 'warm check' and then having done so I then checked the oil level when the engine is cold ie the next day and noted what the 'cold level' is. Would this be sufficient to use this 'cold level' for future pre ride checks before I start the engine (or am I missing something)? The reason that I would prefer to do my check this way is that I often go in doors and get distracted and forget to check the oil at the set optimum time. A cold check is a lot less faffing around and done as part of my pre ride check ritual. What do you gurus out there reckon?
CHAIN:
Likewise the manual states to check chain tension with the bike on the side stand. If I did this and tensioned the chain correctly. Would there be anything wrong if I then put the bike on its main stand to see what the tension of the chain is when the bike is in this position (knowing that it is set correctly already). Would I be doing anything wrong if I then used this 'main stand tension' for future chain checks? Again my reason for asking is that it is easier to adjust and rotate the wheel all in one go with the bike on the main stand. Once again your guru like knowledge and advice on both of these would be much appreciated as always.

Cheers chaps

 

[Bem]

Sounds like a lot of logic in your thoughts.
Re oil this engine appears to use almost nothing between services (cue complaints from everyone who has put in more than half litre between times) so a cold check is better than no check if its "calibrated" in the way you suggest.
Re chain I do this on main stand using 40mm or so slack - this seems to be right because I do not get any whipping or flopping at low revs.
HTH
Brian

 

[Alan R]

Agreed, seems logical if a little anxious. I check the oil when cold - doesn't use any so I'm relaxed about it. I check the chain on the centre stand and again am relaxed about this method. Bear in mind that the centres of the rear axle, swing arm pivot and engine sprocket form an acute triangle when not in line: when in line, they form a straight line and in this state the chain is at maximum tension. If you are really exacting about chain tension, you could compress the suspension with a ratchet strap, moving the swinging arm to achieve this straight line and measure the play at the tightest point: it's not going to get any tighter at any point in the suspension travel.
Alan R

 

[SteveT]

I do as the others do - check oil when engine is cold and chain on centre stand, to the measurments already mentioned. No issues

SteveT

 

[dxtans]

Sounds like a lot of logic in your thoughts.
Re oil this engine appears to use almost nothing between services (cue complaints from everyone who has put in more than half litre between times) so a cold check is better
Brian

Agree, my bike (gs700) did not need topping up with oil in 4K of mileage
The standard chain used on these bike, looks fit for purpose. Only needed to adjust once ( using center stand) in 4K.

dxtans

 

[Gordyman]

Thanks for your replies and advice chaps.
My bike doesn't use any oil either to be honest. Ref chain checking l suppose I am a tad over anxious on checking etc. Many years ago I had to nurse a badly slipping chain over the mountains from Barcelona to Toulouse (Triumph Sprint) as it was the nearest place that had a replacement. I had a pillion as well. An interesting ride