V85TT Oil sight glass.

[Clem]

Out of interest, does anyone struggle to see their oil level in the sight glass?
Changed the oil and filter today and even when empty the sight glass is oil coloured.
Contemplating fitting a new one as with so little oil in the sump it worries me that I can’t actually see the oil level!

 

[MartinK]

Yes. Mine went same way!

V100 even worse! It's got a dipstick!

 

[AustinW]

My oil sight glass is completely opaque now. To check the oil level I made a dipstick out of a piece of aluminium rod about 3mm thick. Bent it into an L so it can hang down into sump from the oil filler cap and not drop inside, and marked (crimped where top/bottom fill lines would equate to on the rod. It’s VERY rudimentary but works and lives under the seat most of the time. From memory it was about 5cm from the top of the oil filler to the top mark plus 1cm to the bottom mark, but don’t take my word for it do measure yourself.

I believe replacing or at least cleaning the sight glass is a case of dropping the sump at an oil change. There may be a gasket to replace too.

 

[MartinK]

Looks like

485693 - OIL LEVEL INDICATOR​

 

[Clem]

Out of interest I stuck the cheap Amazon endoscope through the filler hole to see what the level was like in reality - way below the “Low” mark!


Thinking about AustinW’s advice I hunted out an old shock C spanner, topped up the oil and checked the level with the scope to get the mid glass level and marked up the C spanner to suit.
The C spanner is good as it will drop into the filler hole until the shoulder hits.
I can’t see anything inside the sump that would have prevented a drip stick being fitted!

 

[Clifton]

Reading this had me concerned I'd possibly been looking at darkened glass rather than the oil itself so I just went and looked closely. The level appears distinct through the glass. Maybe because it's darkened after 2,475 miles.

 

[Dave In Florida]

My oil sight glass is completely opaque now. To check the oil level I made a dipstick out of a piece of aluminium rod about 3mm thick. Bent it into an L so it can hang down into sump from the oil filler cap and not drop inside, and marked (crimped where top/bottom fill lines would equate to on the rod. It’s VERY rudimentary but works and lives under the seat most of the time. From memory it was about 5cm from the top of the oil filler to the top mark plus 1cm to the bottom mark, but don’t take my word for it do measure yourself.

I believe replacing or at least cleaning the sight glass is a case of dropping the sump at an oil change. There may be a gasket to replace too.

Hi Austin,
I'm concerned that sight glass on my V85TT is not accurately showing oil level. Believing it needed oil, I added some, and the sight glass is completely full. So, I took some out with a large syringe. Still no change; glass is still full. I'm hesitant to ride the bike for 10 miles, and then go through the process of checking oil level (bike straight-up, wait 10 minutes), if the oil level is too low. I don't want to do something stupid. Could you provide specific guidance on your measuring "dip stick"? Length, add mark from the bottom, and full mark from the top. I'm considering just having the bike trailered to the dealer and have 6K service (I have just over 5K on it now). Feel free to send me a private email: [email protected]
Thanks for your assistance.
Dave

 

[The Other PaulG]

The filler hole appears to be very close to the sight glass. Has anyone tried shining a bright led torch into the filler hole to see whether the level becomes easier to see?