After oil change strange problems with 1995 Virago

Last weekend I changed my oil and filter and refilled it with 3.3
quarts (according to the book). I let it run for a while after
refilling it and saw that the oil window on the side very slowly
filled up. I didn't touch it for a week and this weekend I went to
start it and it wouldn't turn over. Just kinda went klunk once each
time I press the ignition. I did a little investigating and learned
that it might be that I overfilled the oil. The oil window looked
either empty or totally full. So I drained almost all of it, and then
it turned over and started up. After it started I added more of the
oil back, but not all if it and the oil window did not fill up or have
anything in it (even after running it for a bit and letting it sit).
Now the window is totally empty and the bike idled for a while (~30
min) and then died off.

So now the oil window is empty but I know there is at least about 2.75
quarts in there (maybe more); the bike doesn't start easily; and I
have no idea what went wrong or how to correct it. Before changing the
oil, the oil window seemed to be working fine.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

If the only thing that's changed has been the oil and the filter, and it's
probably not the oil, perhaps you should remove the filter and see if
that's plugged?

 

Check the oil filter.
Is it possible to have it in backwards?
Is it seated perfectly?
All that kind of crap.....

Is it the right one for your bike? I was given one for my Yamaha that was
mispackaged.....
Dad always said "Measure twice, cut once." so I always eyeball parts and I
spotted the differences and was saved from grief.

 

Just a hint. If you added oil and see no oil in the window. Don't run the
bike you might be doing damage. As you said it will run a while then die
out.