i think my engine oil gauge might be broken....

[tully]

oil level / circular site window

just wanted to put an end to this thread -

oil was very low, this bike uses alot more oil than my previous bike (650 Dakar) which is why i was surprised and a bit worried as in 6 weeks the oil level in the site window had gone from the middle - down to - below the bottom.

anyway, i checked the level when bike was on side stand and there was plenty of oil in there, so i topped it up bit by bit and it is now all fine - i was even lucky enough to bump into a very freindly and helpful BMW mechanic (off duty) who put my mind at ease with a couple of issues including this one in SE London on saturday.

So to all of you who who helped with good, positive advice i am, as always, extremely grateful - thank you

and,

to the small number of people who decided to use this thread to make unhelpful, sarcastic comments - one word, KARMA, just watch out for the Karma monkey, 'cos one day he'll tap you on the shoulder and bend you over

must go, i have a bike full of oil and petrol to go and ride in the beautiful south of England, life is wonderful down here chaps

 

[Packer]

Tully, if your bike is anything like my standard 1150GS it hardly uses any oil at all on long trips but commuting 7 or 8 miles each way it develops a thirst like a navvy in a brewery.

I feed mine on Halfords 10W40 semi synthetic which I buy in 5 litre drums. Open the drum at oil change service and fill the bike with fresh oil and by the next service the balance of the drum is all but finished. Always been like that and over 57,000 miles now.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?srch=motorcycle+oil&x=0&y=0&action=search&storeId=10001&catalogId=10151&langId=-1

Hope that helps

 

[Tex]

Tully,

Sorry that I was not able to respond o this thread earlier. It was going to be my suggestion that you try leaning the bike over enough to see oil draining either into or out of the area behind the sight glass. From your last post, however, I see that you worked that out.

Sometimes coming to the right conclusion by yourself is great. Yor are right,however that some bikes do use more oil than oters. Another of the foibles which makes running a GS more fun !

 

[tully]

oil

exactly right, i'm just glad that learning by my mistakes or as I go along hasn't done any damage - cheers

 

[Packer]

exactly right, i'm just glad that learning by my mistakes or as I go along hasn't done any damage - cheers

This time, but do check it at least every week!

 

[Stewart H]

exactly right, i'm just glad that learning by my mistakes or as I go along hasn't done any damage - cheers

The 1100/1150s are a bugger for scaring you, mine caught me out when I first got it, much of the oil hides in the oil cooler, I now park my bike on the sidestand after a run then put it on the centrestand to get a reading after it has stood for a while.
Stewart

 

[elevensies]

Stewarts right, but what you have to remember is,

whatever and however you check it

make sure you stick with the same routine

 

[exeter_lad]

Had a similar problem when I bought my 1100. Could not make out any oil level, even after putting oil in - bit by bit. Glass looked OK - just could not make out any oil level. Took it back to dealer, they fitted a new window. hey presto - what a difference. Glass clear and oil level easily visible. Old glass has become gunged. New window well worth a try.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

i think it was kwackers that used to have a little windscreen wiper on the inside of the glass