Oil changing & measuring

[Grumpy Lee]

I've only had my (00)1150GS for 2 weeks and realy enjoying it . As I am waiting for the owners handbook & other bits from the previous one, it has made finding out what does what & what is where fun (still not sure about some bits!!)

I would like to know what the general concensus is regarding oil type and frequency of changing (inc. filter)

I have also read in the postings that it tends to use oil, but as it is difficult to see the sight glass (due to SHMBO carrier attachment) does anybody know of any other way to check the level (short of draining & measuring)? Whatever happened to dip sticks? (I had one on my last BM in the late 60's a R27 + Steib, ah those were the days when...............but I digress - back to the present)

It might be that I'll neeed a handbook of some decription in the near future, but why do Motobins list two? Is it one for techies & one for non-techies? Anybody got any spare?

I shall await responses with interest (even the non-sensible as these help to lighten/brighten the day ).

Lee

 

[HeatedGrips]

Wow an 1150 with a chair! Welcome to the world of B*W.

If you do a search for 'oil' you will find loads of threads on the subject. The consensus, if one exists, seems to be in favour of using ordinary mineral multigrade, but if you must have synthetic then only put it in after the bike is well run-in - around 12,000 miles.

I think most of us use original B*W filters.

The joke sight-glass with its constantly-changing indication of oil level is also the subject of numerous threads, part of the GS ownership madness, enjoy.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

I only over check the oil level in the morning after the bikes been 'rested' all night on the centre stand.

Its never going to use enough oilt to worry about during the day, so a morning check is perfect.

Good datum point and all that etc.

Every other type of check is superfluous or different readings.

 

[Spout]

I had a stroll around my local dealers yesterday and had a quick look at all the sight glasses on the bikes in the showroom (as you do!). Levels ranged from completely full to no oil seen

 

[MikeP]

There are two manuals, one is Riders and the other is maintainance manual.

The manual says that the oil should be checked on main stand, level surface after engine has reached normal temp then allowed to rest for five minutes. Anywhere between the inside upper or inside lower of the red circle is ok.

 

[Grumpy Lee]

As I still have no manual (yet) and I still can't see the oil level in the sight glass (reasons in posting above) even with a mirror I still don't know if there is too much or too little.

Remedy: Oil change, and with the correct amount in, the level should be within the sight glass

Need to know how much oil to put in (00 R1150GS), can't seem to find that anywhere

Also, no I'll leave that for another thread!!!

Cheers, Lee

 

[franco]

.

Need to know how much oil to put in (00 R1150GS), can't seem to find that anywhere


The engine takes 3.75 litres if you're changing the filter at the same time, or 3.5 litres without a filter change.



>>Also, no I'll leave that for another thread!!!


C'mon, what's the next question, someone here WILL know the answer.

 

[franco]

Oops

I should say, that's what it says in the Adventure handbook, but it has got a picture of an 1150GS on the front too, so they must be the same right?

 

[Grumpy Lee]

OK you guys out there, I've been reading and checking and the general consensus is to use mineral oil up to 12,000 miles and then use semi-synthetic.

My bike has only done 4000 miles but on looking through previous servicing (at SBC) it seems they have been using semi-synthetic.

So, do I carry on with the semi, or change to mineral for the next 8000 miles?

Lee

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

stick with semi - no question.!

it won't do any harm at all ' cept to your wallet

 

[(RIP) maverick]

50k miles still using normal GTX and no problems, goes like a rocket.

Bought some air & oil filters from Steptoe for a fraction of the cost so now even more afforable to do oil and filter changes every 6k.

I have read through endless threads regarding the bevel and gearbox failures. Come to the conclusion that the best thing you can do is change the oil on those every 6k and the chances is they will last a lifetime. The "different" feel in changing from normal gearoil to synthetic was not worth me doing it again. Once again I can do nearly 3 oil changes for the cost of one synthetic change.

If you can afford it fair play, if you just want to do the mileage and have more beer tokens you know what to do. Personal choice at the end of the day

 

[Grumpy Lee]

Panic Over

Just in case anyone out there might be interested, I went for the oil change and I can now see the level in the window .

The reason I couldn't see it before was because that was all I could see (there was too much oil and the sight glass was full - but better safe than sorry, and I'm a bit paranoid after a recent deficit of oil in my AN400 is causing a loss of wallet padding)

So thanks for all the advice, no if I can just work out what these switches and lights do

Cheers, Lee