Where has all the oil gone?!

[bigchris]

What the hell is it with my bike? In 3 thousand miles i've used nearly 3litres of oil in my bike. Not 48 hours ago, I had half a sight glass of oil, and this evening was running rougher than my wifes beard. Why? NO OIL!

Where the fudge does it go, its not like my bike is smoking or 'out...and I cant see no leaks (it would have to be bloody severe to loose that much!)..

so what gives? How can I magically loose so much oil in so little time?

(24k miles on clock 04 1200gs etc...)

 

[Welshman]

Dont know on the 1200,s but on 110,s to get comparable readings, ride, park on side satand for 3 to 5 mins, put on centrestand check 10 to 15mins later.

WELSH

 

[bigchris]

Thats what i've been doing since i got it...

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

What kind of oil was it?

 

[Pukmeister]

Most of your oil is probably now sat up in the oil cooler/oil lines after the oil thermostat opened during the last engine run. If you could let the bike stand for a few days it will slowly return to the sump and the level in the window will rise.

Alternatively, top up until there is a level in the BOTTOM of the sightglass window then run the engine for five minutes until hot (a short ride and checking oil warning light just in case), let stand for 5 minutes on centrestand, then check again.

FWIW Mine is '04 with 24.5k and uses NO oil between servicing.

Have you had anyone ride behind you and check for blue oil smoke on the overrun ?? (when the throttle bodies are closed, intake vacuum is greatest and the chance of valve stem oil seal leakage is at its most likely). I doubt you would have worn bores at 24k, but if you ride too gently the bores/rings could be glazed over. A damn good thrashing may improve piston ring sealing and reduce oil consumption.

Rough running symptoms are probably excessive valve clearances/throttle bodies out of synch.

 

[nomad]

Next time you check it you'll probably find it's overfull.Mine takes about 20 minutes to show properly on the sightglass after I've run it for 10 minutes in the garage (on the centrestand).