Checking oil level

[danham]

The sight glass is a very convenient way to check the oil level, but I'm discovering that it is potentially very inaccurate.

The problem is that it is influenced a lot by how level the bike is (duh). So much so that on a surface that looks OK but is not perfectly level, it can appear badly over- or under-filled when in fact it is fine.

Any thoughts or suggestions on how to get an accurate reading when on a surface that is less than perfect? Must be a real challenge for an SX rider with no center stand. Have a buddy read the sight glass while you sit on the bike?

-dan

[Snakes709]

Its actually really easy to do and shouldnt be done on a centre stand as that unbalances the bike. Find flat surface, stand on right side of bike, apply front brake and pull the bike up straight. Pull until you feel it at its balancing point and then check the oil level.

[danham]

Snakes, I will give that a try. I'm a little nervous about bending down to see the sight glass while balancing the bike, however.

-dan

[Snakes709]

Takes a little practice. Makes it easier if you have your hand on the front brake so it doesnt roll away.

[Pyrocritic]

Its actually really easy to do and shouldnt be done on a centre stand as that unbalances the bike.

This is untrue. The center stand just changes the angle of the oil meniscus by 3-4 degrees. It doesn't change the level

Checking oil on the center stand on a level surface is entirely accurate. I check mine in my garage before and after every ride. The level is always the same, and always in spec.

[danham]

A related question: the owner's manual says to run the bike for "several minutes" if the engine is cold, then let it sit for "several minutes" before reading the level. But the shop manual says simply to let it sit for a few minutes if it's been running, before checking. No mention of starting it and warming it up if it hasn't. This suggests that if it sits overnight the level will be accurate.

My observation has been that if it sits overnight the level will read very slightly higher than if you check it after it's been running then sitting for a few minutes. This makes sense, as more oil has more time to drip down into the sump. But why would Kawi want the engine warmed up at that point? It's not like a dry sump system, whose level is affected by oil temp.

-dan

[Snakes709]

Its actually really easy to do and shouldnt be done on a centre stand as that unbalances the bike.

This is untrue. The center stand just changes the angle of the oil meniscus by 3-4 degrees. It doesn't change the level

Checking oil on the center stand on a level surface is entirely accurate. I check mine in my garage before and after every ride. The level is always the same, and always in spec.

I never said it changes the oil level.

[danham]

I also misunderstood Snakes’ post. If I’ve now got it right, he’s saying don’t try tilting the bike while on the center stand unless you want to test your frame sliders.

As I have found, very small changes in tilt can produce large differences in the sight glass, so the only way to check the oil on uneven ground is to hold the bike level. Time to invent a mirror that can temporarily clip onto the frame so I can do this from the saddle.

-dan

[Icancin2u2]

I also misunderstood Snakes’ post. If I’ve now got it right, he’s saying don’t try tilting the bike while on the center stand unless you want to test your frame sliders.

As I have found, very small changes in tilt can produce large differences in the sight glass, so the only way to check the oil on uneven ground is to hold the bike level. Time to invent a mirror that can temporarily clip onto the frame so I can do this from the saddle.

-dan

That is actually a sweet idea. Currently I sit on ground, grab front grip and passenger foot peg and balance it up.

[danham]

Hmm, I wonder if I can prop a small mirror in the lower right fairing to do this. If I get some time later I'll give it a shot.

-dan