i know this might sound silly but you must hold the bike upright 100%. Otherwise you will never get an accurate reading if your trying to hold it upright. I worked at a bike shop and people would always complain there oil was low through the window (suzuki). But once we held it 100% vertical they would show the correct level. Try getting someone to help you or better yet use a front or rear stand to hold the bike upright.
Checking the oil on the 09 Blade...
(as posted on fireblades.org)
Right...
I've had the 09 blade for ..... a few weeks, and I changed the oil/filter at 550kms or so after initial break in. I'm up to 1200km's or so, and thinking about a 1500km change. I have, however, been paranoid about oil consumption as the 08 had a few problems from what I've read. At any rate, the 'dipstick' method is a right pain in the ass compared to the window check, and it's been giving me different readings...
I went for a quick 200km ride on the weekend and had the thing from medium to high rpm, so this morning I did a check on the oil. As per the manual, got it warm (about 70 degrees), let it sit for 5 mins, and checked it. Was showing bottom third of the dipstick. After the initial tantrum I threw thinking it was burning oil, I decided to check it again after work. I rode to work (25kms or so), let the bike sit for 10-15 mins, and then checked it again (with a friends help holding it upright). This time it showed full.
Now I'm guessing I must be a bit stupid, but why would it not be showing full the first time? Should I only be taking a reading after the bike is completely warmed up (as in 10min+ ride)? Is it an inaccurate reading if I took the reading 15 minutes after stopping the bike?....
I thought I'd double/triple check this arvo. So tried the 5 mins running/3 mins stopped check.. and bottom half again. And then when home it read full.
A bit of info as to why it's reading low when I check as per the manual would be great.
*BTW. Using GN4 Honda oil at the moment (just so if there were any oil burning problems, Honda wouldnt have an excuse).
Tom.
Right...
I've had the 09 blade for ..... a few weeks, and I changed the oil/filter at 550kms or so after initial break in. I'm up to 1200km's or so, and thinking about a 1500km change. I have, however, been paranoid about oil consumption as the 08 had a few problems from what I've read. At any rate, the 'dipstick' method is a right pain in the ass compared to the window check, and it's been giving me different readings...
I went for a quick 200km ride on the weekend and had the thing from medium to high rpm, so this morning I did a check on the oil. As per the manual, got it warm (about 70 degrees), let it sit for 5 mins, and checked it. Was showing bottom third of the dipstick. After the initial tantrum I threw thinking it was burning oil, I decided to check it again after work. I rode to work (25kms or so), let the bike sit for 10-15 mins, and then checked it again (with a friends help holding it upright). This time it showed full.
Now I'm guessing I must be a bit stupid, but why would it not be showing full the first time? Should I only be taking a reading after the bike is completely warmed up (as in 10min+ ride)? Is it an inaccurate reading if I took the reading 15 minutes after stopping the bike?....
I thought I'd double/triple check this arvo. So tried the 5 mins running/3 mins stopped check.. and bottom half again. And then when home it read full.
A bit of info as to why it's reading low when I check as per the manual would be great.
*BTW. Using GN4 Honda oil at the moment (just so if there were any oil burning problems, Honda wouldnt have an excuse).
Tom.
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
I get the Mrs to sit on it and keep it upright for me. Probably not as good as a stand, but she does alright...i know this might sound silly but you must hold the bike upright 100%. Otherwise you will never get an accurate reading if your trying to hold it upright. I worked at a bike shop and people would always complain there oil was low through the window (suzuki). But once we held it 100% vertical they would show the correct level. Try getting someone to help you or better yet use a front or rear stand to hold the bike upright.
I've never checked mine on the race stand - I thought that having the rear wheel raised would give a false reading???
Sit on the right side of the machine indian legged, (side without the kickstand), Pull the dipstick. Clean it off, drop it in your lap, grab the clip on and the rear set, balance the bike with your right hand on the clip on till there's no tension, put the stick back in and rotate it counter clockwise, twice. Pull the stick and check your reading, set the bike slowly back on the stand. That's the proper way to do it. If you're sober, you will succeed without trashing your bike. If not, you will heal and your machine will survive unscathed
Checked it again this morning cold, and the thing was reading at about 4/5 up between low and high. So I still dont get it. Both times after taking it when it was fully warmed (running up to 105 degrees), and then let sit, it's showed full, but then cold (when all oil should have drained down into the sump) it's showing about 80%.....
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
ride it and quit worrying about it
I have to agree, the dipstick is a pain in the ass. I believe someone suggested sanding the smooth part of the stick to get a better more accurate reading. I find if you are not in the right lighting conditions it’s hard to see on the stick where the level really is.
I'll likely get flamed by those who haven't tried it but you can check the level cold, on it's kickstand. I check it a couple of times per week by simply unscrewing the dipstick, pulling it out and taking a reading. The results are very consistent as you've eliminated the "warm enough?" and "vertical?" variables. Another advantage is that you won't find out the level is low AFTER riding all day.
Take readings per the manual when you get home (i.e. when hot). Take a cold reading the next morning. Repeat a few times until you're confident that the method produces consistent results.
Take readings per the manual when you get home (i.e. when hot). Take a cold reading the next morning. Repeat a few times until you're confident that the method produces consistent results.
if your dipstick is showing full when your bike is on the side stand, you have too much oil.I'll likely get flamed by those who haven't tried it but you can check the level cold, on it's kickstand. I check it a couple of times per week by simply unscrewing the dipstick, pulling it out and taking a reading. The results are very consistent as you've eliminated the "warm enough?" and "vertical?" variables. Another advantage is that you won't find out the level is low AFTER riding all day.
Take readings per the manual when you get home (i.e. when hot). Take a cold reading the next morning. Repeat a few times until you're confident that the method produces consistent results.
the dipstick is hard to get an accurate reading from period. i do like the guy above did: pull the stick out, pull the bike upright with my right hand, using my knee to help keep it from coming over, and use my left hand to check the level.
i checked mine the other day cold and it was just a hair over the full mark. i then checked it after a long ride, about 15 minutes after i got home, and it was barely on the stick. i let it sit overnight and checked it cold again. then, it was barely under full. i figure as long as it's on the stick, i'm good. trying to gauge the level to an exact amount with the dipstick is virtually impossible. i believe some people are incorrectly using the dipstick and thinking it's burning oil instead.
Take readings per the manual when you get home (i.e. when hot). Take a cold reading the next morning. Repeat a few times until you're confident that the method produces consistent results.
I think you've missed his point, Spool.if your dipstick is showing full when your bike is on the side stand, you have too much oil.
just sayin
That's fair and I should have made that point...you get a DIFFERENT reading "vertical hot" vs. "kickstand cold" so you'll need to reset the "just right" level in your mind.if your dipstick is showing full when your bike is on the side stand, you have too much oil.
That's normal. The oil expands a little when it get up to temp which is why you're supposed to warm up the engine prior to checking the level. So right now you've got too much oil in there. Other than that sounds like everything is good with your bike.:thumbsup:Checked it again this morning cold, and the thing was reading at about 4/5 up between low and high. So I still dont get it. Both times after taking it when it was fully warmed (running up to 105 degrees), and then let sit, it's showed full, but then cold (when all oil should have drained down into the sump) it's showing about 80%.....
Any thoughts?
Relax and ride. If you're screwin' the pooch, a pretty red light comes on your clock,.............. and it don't mean it's Christmas time.
what happens when you have too much oil in the bike?
this is for cars but I would think it also applies to bike engines?what happens when you have too much oil in the bike?
A word of caution: Be careful not to overfill your car's crankcase with oil. If you put in too much oil, the engine's crankshaft can actually come in contact with the oil. And because the crankshaft is turning at several thousand revolutions per minute, it can quickly whip your oil into a froth — like the steamed milk that sits on the top of a cappuccino. Why is that bad? Well, the oil pump can't pump froth very well, and as a result, it can't get oil to the parts of the engine that need lubrication. The result ... a hefty boat payment to your mechanic
this is for cars but I would think it also applies to bike engines?
A word of caution: Be careful not to overfill your car's crankcase with oil. If you put in too much oil, the engine's crankshaft can actually come in contact with the oil. And because the crankshaft is turning at several thousand revolutions per minute, it can quickly whip your oil into a froth — like the steamed milk that sits on the top of a cappuccino. Why is that bad? Well, the oil pump can't pump froth very well, and as a result, it can't get oil to the parts of the engine that need lubrication. The result ... a hefty boat payment to your mechanic
thanks for the info
i was just gunna wait it out till i put synthetic in cuz the lower fairs in a PITA cuz my oil is showing a tad bit above the full line on the dip
I want my sight window back. . .
I just took the dipstick out and it was exactly on the line. '08, 700 km (430 miles), on sidestand, sitting a day, no evidence of burning. That's gonna be my standard from now on.
Did not pull, wipe, re-install, etc. Just pulled out + read.
Did not pull, wipe, re-install, etc. Just pulled out + read.
I'll likely get flamed by those who haven't tried it but you can check the level cold, on it's kickstand. I check it a couple of times per week by simply unscrewing the dipstick, pulling it out and taking a reading. The results are very consistent as you've eliminated the "warm enough?" and "vertical?" variables. Another advantage is that you won't find out the level is low AFTER riding all day.
Take readings per the manual when you get home (i.e. when hot). Take a cold reading the next morning. Repeat a few times until you're confident that the method produces consistent results.
I do this all the time. Once you learn were the oil level is using this method, it is very accurate and easy to tell an “oil level difference”. I also use the proper method too. My bike is a 08, so I check my oil very carefully and very often. 2700 miles and all is good.
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
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