Checking the oil

[LAS VEGAS DAVE]

The easiest way is to just add 6 quarts when doing an oil and filter change and forget about it. It will be fine. The harder part seems to be checking the oil level after the bike has covered some miles. Even after 2500 miles
the oil seems to stay so clean its hard to see it on the stick.

 

[Rick McC.]

My dealer says to check the oil level with the rocket on the side stand; between the marks, good to go.

Is there that much difference in the oil level from on stand and upright?

 

[idk]

My dealer says to check the oil level with the rocket on the side stand; between the marks, good to go.

Is there that much difference in the oil level from on stand and upright?

It probably took longer to type that than it would have to try it yourself and find out.

 

[1olbull]

You are right, even seeds back then. Mexico was even worse. I was in San Blas, Mexico in 1970, on my way to South America and they found a roach in the car, they didn't like americans. I went to jail, dirt floors, no food unless you bought it, luckily it was corrupt and I bribed my way out but not until they got **** ready to let me.

WOW! Now that there Mexican jail must have been one crazy experience!?!
When next I get to Vegas (or you to the Seattle area) we should meet for a brew or two sometime.
We have polar opposite experiences that would be fun to hash over . . .

 

[Kendan]

So I did an oil change on my bike and was fairly sure I drained out as much of the old oil as I could, I added the 5.4L of oil as per the owners manual (and a service manual I found online) and checked the oil after the engine was at operating temp. As hard as it is to see on that shiny dipstick it looks like the oil level is about 1/4 inch above the full mark.
So annoying that something as simple and important as checking the oil seems to be such a pain. A couple people mentioned just using 6 quarts so in this type of oil system is it not a good thing to have (potentially) a bit too much oil?

Never liked the dipstick method on a bike.

 

[sonny]

My dealer says to check the oil level with the rocket on the side stand; between the marks, good to go.

Is there that much difference in the oil level from on stand and upright?

Wow guess the shop is without a manual. The manual clearly states with the bike in the upright position the oil should be between the two marks. Let the bike run to operating temperature shut it down and check the oil level about 15 to 20 minutes later. Never have I required to use the full six quarts. About 5.6 to 5.8 quarts.

 

[mully95]

Wow guess the shop is without a manual. The manual clearly states with the bike in the upright position the oil should be between the two marks. Let the bike run to operating temperature shut it down and check the oil level about 15 to 20 minutes later.

The service manual does not say to check the oil 15 to 20 minutes later.

 

[sonny]

Your right. (creature of habit). I have always checked my oil level this way on every bike I have owned. The important point is to check the oil at operating temperature, upright and the full mark is in the middle of the two marks. Same way I check the oil on the Harley but with the Harley it is required to have the bike on the side stand.

 

[LAS VEGAS DAVE]

WOW! Now that there Mexican jail must have been one crazy experience!?!
When next I get to Vegas (or you to the Seattle area) we should meet for a brew or two sometime.
We have polar opposite experiences that would be fun to hash over . . .

If you come to Vegas let me know and I'll do the same if we get to Seattle.

 

[LAS VEGAS DAVE]

I add the six quarts after completely draining the two sumps and the oil tank and adding a new filter. The bike was started and run for a couple of minutes and then the oil was checked with the bike standing straight up and the level was below the top line. The manual does not say to check the oil later, it says start the bike and let it run for at least a minute if I remember right and then check the oil. I don't even recall it saying to bring it to operating temperature. One thing I notice is that it takes a long time to get ALL the oil out of the sumps, I let mine drain for about an hour.