[autoMATTic]

Maybe it's just me, but my oil sight-glass indicates a very inconsistent oil level. Sometimes it looks perfect (right between the lines), other times it looks completely empty. Anyone have any insight? What procedure do you go through to ensure a proper reading?

Thanks y'all!

 

[Deano968]

Obviously you're making sure the bike is near as damn it upright? I also think depending on the temperature it takes a little longer to show the correct level, though I haven't myself noticed anything out of the ordinary or inconsistent. I'm guessing - Maybe the ambient temperature where you are has a large variation over the seasons?

 

[rider]

While on the side stand there's no oil in the sight glass.

To check it, hot or cold, grab the bike and stand it upright, the oil will come into view as it levels out in the crankcase.
This is the best and easiest way to check oil level.

The difference between hot and cold is minor.

P.S. spose it would pay to mention as well, make a habit of checking the oil level in the same way each time so that consistency in the way you do it is in the equasion.

 

[Derek]

And wait for a minute or so after running the engine for the oil to settle back into the sump. The difference between an engine that has just stopped to one that has sat a while can be from the min to the max lines.

 

[asiaoildude]

The sight window is extremely sensitive to lean - you can see that by just tilting the bike a little as you look at it. I wish there was a bubble gauge next to it so you'd know exactly when the bike is perpendicular (90 degrees upright).

 

[motomeek]

The sight window is extremely sensitive to lean - you can see that by just tilting the bike a little as you look at it. I wish there was a bubble gauge next to it so you'd know exactly when the bike is perpendicular (90 degrees upright).

Ha, that would be helpful, wouldn't it?

 

[Plantboy]

How does everyone read the sight window? I do it lying on the garage floor and pulling the bike, by the frame tubes, to a vertical balance point, while being careful not to have the whole shooting match topple on top of me - a quite precarious situation indeed. I do have bobbins and a paddock stand but feel that elevating the rear would probably not provide an accurate reading.

Anyone use an easier/safer method?

 

[Derek]

I usually do it by kneeling beside the bike with my right hand on the handlebar holding the front brake and my left hand gripping the frame tube behind the rear cylinder holding the bike vertical. I have an Abba stand which when used with a front wheel stand holds the bike virtually level but it would be too much hassle to do this regularly.

 

[greer]

This works for me: I make certain the bike is in gear and securely on the side stand. Stand on the right side of the bike at arm's length, grab the throttle grip with my right hand, pull the bike toward me while bend at the waist just enough to get a good view of the window. When you have it level you'll know, it's no work to hold at all. For me, this feels like a braced and secure position, I've never had a bobble.

Sarah

 

[Plantboy]

This works for me: I make certain the bike is in gear and securely on the side stand. Stand on the right side of the bike at arm's length, grab the throttle grip with my right hand, pull the bike toward me while bend at the waist just enough to get a good view of the window. When you have it level you'll know, it's no work to hold at all. For me, this feels like a braced and secure position, I've never had a bobble.

Sarah

Mmmm..... Sarah, you must be a whole lot shorter, younger and more flexible than me. I may be old and stiff in my joints, but I still prefer to avoid parallax error by directly eye-balling the oil level close up.

 

[greer]

Give it a try next time Plantboy, just in case it works better than you imagine. Stand a good arm's length from the bike, and you'll get a fairly straight-on view of the window.

Sarah

 

[Deano968]

Mmmm..... Sarah, you must be a whole lot shorter, younger and more flexible than me. I may be old and stiff in my joints, but I still prefer to avoid parallax error by directly eye-balling the oil level close up.

Use a swivel magnifying shaving mirror if you can't bend down? I have one behind my Mac so I can see the bloody USBs maybe a similar trick could work. I'd feel a bit vulnerable lying on the floor with the weight of the bike balancing over me

 

[Plantboy]

Yeah thanks Deano, good thinking. But if I really need to, I can ask my wife or a friend to hold her upright.

 

[Deano968]

I should have exercised a bit of Occam's Razor there shouldn't I ... doh!