Cracked Oil Level Glass

[ianran]

Hmm,first time for everything I suppose, my oil sight glass has a hairline crack in it.
I always check oil levels and its never overheated. Fortunately it has a warranty on it, just over 18000 miles and two years old. Anyone else had this?

 

[Bendy toy]

Its a most horrible way to check oil level and cracks or other leaks are not uncommon.

 

[ianran]

Sadly not covered by extended warranty either! Fortunately was covered by a good will gesture, though just over two years and 18000 miles doesnt seem excesive miles/ time to expect a fixed component like this to last.

 

[Beemerman59]

Its a most horrible way to check oil level and cracks or other leaks are not uncommon.

Why is it horrible? I prefer it to using a dipstick as I can see it more easily and don't have to wipe it with an oily rag and get grit in the engine. Got one on the K1100 too and 21 years later it's as good as new.

 

[Wilde]

Why is it horrible? I prefer it to using a dipstick as I can see it more easily and don't have to wipe it with an oily rag and get grit in the engine. Got one on the K1100 too and 21 years later it's as good as new.

Try using a Rocket 111 dip stick!!!! Love my sight glass jobby.


Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

 

[Bendy toy]

Sight glasses are crap because bike has to be level. Rider has to grovel at floor level often with a torch and it's all too easy to overfill with new oil.
I agree the Honda bike type on the clutch cover is no better or even worse. But cars do fine with a long flexible dipstick going close to sump centre. At that point oil level remains constant even when engine is leaning a few degrees off vertical.

 

[Alan R]

Sight glasses are crap because bike has to be level. Rider has to grovel at floor level often with a torch and it's all too easy to overfill with new oil.
I agree the Honda bike type on the clutch cover is no better or even worse. But cars do fine with a long flexible dipstick going close to sump centre. At that point oil level remains constant even when engine is leaning a few degrees off vertical.

yawn tell him your thoughts on final drives, fretting of paint work, toughness of paint on wheels, the need for two side stands and all the other parts you want to be redesigned.
Alan R

 

[Bendy toy]

Yeah yeah moan moan.
I have some gripes but really don't get why bike designers have one track minds. It's not like their solutions are better or cheaper than tried & trusted options.

 

[Alan R]

Yeah yeah moan moan.
I have some gripes but really don't get why bike designers have one track minds. It's not like their solutions are better or cheaper than tried & trusted options.

To paraphrase Harold Macmillan, 'accountants dear boy, accountants'. And patents, and consumers, and marketing wonks etc.
Alan R

 

[Deleted account 190920002]

All I know is the "stuff" today is a broad mile from my biking 60's days. I think we are in heaven compared to the good!! old days. I think I used to take the heads off my old Brit twins twice a year, electrics, well there wasn't any, well many.

 

[Paul C.]

How easier could it be to check your oil.��

 

[Shunt]

Ride it. Park it on the centerstand. A hand on the crash bar an have a look.
The level ain't life or death. Aslong as there's some in there. No worries

 

[Bendy toy]

How easier could it be to check your oil.��

It's the faffing about waiting for the oil to settle. A dipstick can read high to low according to the engine being cold or just have been used. The sight glass only shows a snapshot so can read empty when in reality the oil level is within limits. The Aprilia idea with a longer sight glass tube had some merit.

Not all bikes have a centre stand - mine was taken off years ago. It was hardly ever used so why carry the extra metal about watching it get stone chipped and rusty. Needing a centre stand to accurately check the oil is beyond complicated in my book.

 

[TLSgazza]

So in your opinion its easier to check your oil on the side stand than on the centre stand, or at least that's what you appear to be saying,
So can you explain how you actually check your oil level as you don't have your centre stand fitted?

 

[AberdeenAngus]

I don't bother checking it.....