Oil tank empty after layup

[Mike Rocket]

I have solved this problem by never checking my oil or looking in the tank after the bike has been setting. If there isn't a big mess under my bike, why would I ever look. Ignorance is bliss they say.

I never thought about such a thing as I knew the oil was properly topped off when I did my pre-winter oil change and took the bike for a ride. All was good...end of my story.

That's the mistake I made. I looked in the oil tank before firing it up. (but it did stand for 3 1/2 months with no oil puddle on floor) I still hav'nt started it yet as I am watching all the comments.

 

[TURBO200R4]

AFTER U RIDE IT U MIGHT WANT TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T DO THIS ALL THE TIME SORRY CAPS.

 

[Mike Rocket]

AFTER U RIDE IT U MIGHT WANT TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T DO THIS ALL THE TIME SORRY CAPS.

It was ok before the layup. It may have stood for 3 weeks and oil was still in tank but yes it needs to be rechecked after ride.

 

[Bedifferent]

That's the mistake I made. I looked in the oil tank before firing it up. (but it did stand for 3 1/2 months with no oil puddle on floor) I still hav'nt started it yet as I am watching all the comments.

I say start it up and let the tank fill back up like I'm sure it will. Needless to say, I'm not going to look in my tank next spring. Curosity killed the cat.

When I first got on the forum and started to read all the posts and problems people were talking about, I was scared to death. I thought, why did I buy this bike. I must have been out of my mind! Dare I even take it out of town! Well, five year later I was freaked out all for nothing. Chances are you will never have any problems discussed if you take care of your bike. Lots of good advice and knowledge here!

 

[Mike Rocket]

I say start it up and let the tank fill back up like I'm sure it will. Needless to say, I'm not going to look in my tank next spring. Curosity killed the cat.

When I first got on the forum and started to read all the posts and problems people were talking about, I was scared to death. I thought, why did I buy this bike. I must have been out of my mind! Dare I even take it out of town! Well, five year later I was freaked out all for nothing. Chances are you will never have any problems discussed if you take care of your bike. Lots of good advice and knowledge here!

I most likely will start it as I too think it's gonna be fine. The oil will most likely be back in the tank within seconds. Hopefully there will be no back pressure in the crankcase. I only have a slight nagging doubt about it. The advice is good on this forum. I am gonna take it.

 

[Ygransom]

It should not be a problem, most old Brit bikes do this. My Norton drains the tank in a few days. A couple of kicks with the key off and it pumps it all up to tank.

 

[Tal]

I agree with the trend of draining some oil and putting it back...that way you know for sure there is oil getting to the "Important" bits in the first moments of startup...leave her idling for a minute and stop her...now check the level ....should be good to go.

 

[Bedifferent]

I have to think of the literally thousands and thousands of Rockets that have set for several months and no one has every noticed this happening. They never checked...so they start their bikes, let them warm up and off they ride none the wiser.

I can't help but feel draining some oil into a container, no matter how clean, and dumping it back in would not run the risk of contamination of some kind during the process. I drain my oil from the lower half of my engine to remove any oil or remaining crap that might settle in the sump. Why would I dump that back in my engine under any circumstances. Just a few more of my thoughts on the whole process. If I was really worried I guess I would drain it all out like I do with an oil change and put fresh back in. That will only run you about $60 if you don't change the filter. Of course your oil won't be warmed up and carry out any contaminates that might be held in suspension. I guess I'm posting a no win scenario.

 

[Mike Rocket]

I have to think of the literally thousands and thousands of Rockets that have set for several months and no one has every noticed this happening. They never checked...so they start their bikes, let them warm up and off they ride none the wiser.

I can't help but feel draining some oil into a container, no matter how clean, and dumping it back in would not run the risk of contamination of some kind during the process. I drain my oil from the lower half of my engine to remove any oil or remaining crap that might settle in the sump. Why would I dump that back in my engine under any circumstances. Just a few more of my thoughts on the whole process. If I was really worried I guess I would drain it all out like I do with an oil change and put fresh back in. That will only run you about $60 if you don't change the filter. Of course your oil won't be warmed up and carry out any contaminates that might be held in suspension. I guess I'm posting a no win scenario.

UPDATE TO MY QUESTION.
I rechecked the depth of oil in tank today with a rod and it was about 3/4" to 1" from bottom of tank, but below the metal pipe that runs across the bottom of the tank which I assume is the pick up pipe. I don't think it could gravity feed the sump anymore as the end of the pipe is curved down so it looks like a pick up pipe. (I may be wrong though)
I started the engine and the oil light immediately went out and the oil tank was replenished with oil. After a minute or two I switched off and checked oil level as normal and it's back to normal. I will now keep an eye on it over the next few weeks to see if it drops again. Maybe it wasn't as completely empty as I thought but it seemed to be below the cranked end of the pick up pipe. I can't really see the detail of the oil tank internal layout. Hard to see from the drawing in the manual.
Does anyone know?

 

[warp9.9]

UPDATE TO MY QUESTION.
I rechecked the depth of oil in tank today with a rod and it was about 3/4" to 1" from bottom of tank, but below the metal pipe that runs across the bottom of the tank which I assume is the pick up pipe. I don't think it could gravity feed the sump anymore as the end of the pipe is curved down so it looks like a pick up pipe. (I may be wrong though)
I started the engine and the oil light immediately went out and the oil tank was replenished with oil. After a minute or two I switched off and checked oil level as normal and it's back to normal. I will now keep an eye on it over the next few weeks to see if it drops again. Maybe it wasn't as completely empty as I thought but it seemed to be below the cranked end of the pick up pipe. I can't really see the detail of the oil tank internal layout. Hard to see from the drawing in the manual.
Does anyone know?

Yes the pipe on the bottom is the supply to the pump it runs from the front port on the tank and picks oil up from the rear area.

The scavenger pump return pipe comes from the rear up and forward a little and dumps on the baffel plate running across the top of the tank.

Just so people know the oil non return valve turns into a one way flow valve upon start up.