checking oil - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

cowboyup75146 · 05-18-2007, 06:37 PM

Why is it so hard to check the oil level?
1 day I ride and check the oil level and it is short
Next day ride and re-check and it is ok ???
What am I doing wrong ?
Wrong time to check it ?
Thanks,

GregR1 · 05-18-2007, 07:01 PM

ya. i think you need to wait for the oil level to come down for a few minutes before checking it. also, the bike should likely be vertical and not leaned over on the sidestand.

geoffsimpson · 05-18-2007, 07:03 PM

I concur with Greg, give it a minute to settle and then have a friend hold the bike upright if you can...another good trick is to use a mirror, then you can check it while on the bike.

Madwrench73 · 05-18-2007, 09:39 PM

Maybe this will help. Ride the bike for about 15 minutes so that the motor and the oil are hot. Then, let the engine idle for at least 30 seconds. Then stand the bike upright and check the oil. Dont thread the dipstick in. Oil level should be near the middle of the cross-hatched area of the dipstick. This procedure is for all Road Stars, Road Star Warriors, Roadliners, and Stratoliners.

DragonRider · 05-19-2007, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoffsimpson

I concur with Greg, give it a minute to settle and then have a friend hold the bike upright if you can...another good trick is to use a mirror, then you can check it while on the bike.

Does the Roadstar have a sight glass like the M50? If so, I agree with you on the mirror. That's how I check mine. I have a telescopic mirror like you can get here:

2" Round Extendable Mirror: Widget Supply

$3.00 works perfect sitting on the bike before starting it up,keep it in my top jacket pocket.

geoffsimpson · 05-19-2007, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonRider

Does the Roadstar have a sight glass like the M50? If so, I agree with you on the mirror. That's how I check mine. I have a telescopic mirror like you can get here:

2" Round Extendable Mirror: Widget Supply

$3.00 works perfect sitting on the bike before starting it up,keep it in my top jacket pocket.

Same set up I use...

GregR1 · 05-19-2007, 12:16 AM

hmm, good idea on the lil mirror. haven't thought of that! i just bought one at Princess Auto for $3 or so since i need to check some stuff on the car, so it'll be handy to have for this too.

cowboyup75146 · 05-19-2007, 08:56 AM

the road star does not have a sight glass

Samurai · 05-21-2007, 04:12 AM

As to leveling the bike, I use a spirit level, as the level thru the side window is so sensitive on my bike.

wildwolf · 05-21-2007, 09:59 AM

You have to put oil in these things?

Just kidding.

I put a brick under my kickstand....and keep an arm on the bike as I walk around it & bend down & peer into the sight glass.

05-18-2007, 06:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
cowboyup75146 Seat Tester Joined: Dec 2006 Bike: 06 yamaha roadstar Location: Lancaster, TX Posts: 80	checking oil Why is it so hard to check the oil level? 1 day I ride and check the oil level and it is short Next day ride and re-check and it is ok ??? What am I doing wrong ? Wrong time to check it ? Thanks,

05-18-2007, 07:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
geoffsimpson Throttle Jockey Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: Grey, not silver, GREY 2006 Suzuki Boulevard M50 * 1983 GS750E Cafe Racer project Location: Prince George BC Posts: 3,126	I concur with Greg, give it a minute to settle and then have a friend hold the bike upright if you can...another good trick is to use a mirror, then you can check it while on the bike. __________________ Please Note: All opinions contained herein are worth exactly what you paid for them. It's true that every time you hear a bell ring, an angel gets its wings... But what they don't tell you is that every time you hear a mouse trap "snap", and Angel gets set on fire... Grey * De-badged * V & H Straightshots w/ Thunder-Monster Baffles and Billet Hot-Tips * POWAH COMMANDAH!! * Kury Wide Style Levers * Kury Zombie Pegs (what's left of them) * Johnskit Forward Controls * Johnskit 2.5" Lowering Kit * Carbon Fibre-esque Trim kit * your mom * Memphis Shades HellCat windshield * Passenger Backrest * Baddass MO-FO behind the bars * Metz 880's w/ lettering * Flamed Thunder MFG Teardrop Intake *

05-18-2007, 09:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
Madwrench73 Where Am I ? Joined: May 2007 Bike: Old School 81 Suzuki GS550L Location: Southern NH Posts: 38	Maybe this will help. Ride the bike for about 15 minutes so that the motor and the oil are hot. Then, let the engine idle for at least 30 seconds. Then stand the bike upright and check the oil. Dont thread the dipstick in. Oil level should be near the middle of the cross-hatched area of the dipstick. This procedure is for all Road Stars, Road Star Warriors, Roadliners, and Stratoliners. __________________ Jim - the Madwrench "It's better to be dead and cool, than alive and uncool." - Mickey Rourke

05-21-2007, 09:59 AM	#10 (permalink)
wildwolf Fourth gear and illegal Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 1999 vs800 intruder Location: Delta Junction, AK Posts: 705	You have to put oil in these things? Just kidding. I put a brick under my kickstand....and keep an arm on the bike as I walk around it & bend down & peer into the sight glass. __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FNG Checking in	ABNFO	New Member Pitstop	8	11-28-2006 05:43 PM
Just checking	Deno	Test Forum	10	11-07-2006 05:32 PM
Just Checking - Gold Cap?	SERGE	Sportbikes & Sport-tourers	6	10-20-2005 05:06 PM
Hey, all. Checking in from the maternity ward.	Clint	Off Topic	39	12-08-2004 07:49 AM
checking oil on 1400 intruder	Gary9832	Cruisers	1	06-25-2004 01:33 AM

05-18-2007, 07:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
GregR1 ... Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,308	ya. i think you need to wait for the oil level to come down for a few minutes before checking it. also, the bike should likely be vertical and not leaned over on the sidestand.

05-19-2007, 12:16 AM	#7 (permalink)
GregR1 ... Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,308	hmm, good idea on the lil mirror. haven't thought of that! i just bought one at Princess Auto for $3 or so since i need to check some stuff on the car, so it'll be handy to have for this too.

05-19-2007, 08:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
cowboyup75146 Seat Tester Joined: Dec 2006 Bike: 06 yamaha roadstar Location: Lancaster, TX Posts: 80	the road star does not have a sight glass

05-21-2007, 04:12 AM	#9 (permalink)
Samurai Formerly Rice Burner Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: Royal Enfield Location: Kanagawa, Japan Posts: 641	As to leveling the bike, I use a spirit level, as the level thru the side window is so sensitive on my bike.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)