checking that oil alone

I knew that I had seen this or something like it before, and in response to
a previous post, I found a link for a little mirror that allows you to
check the "sight bubble" on your bike while you are sitting on it, so you
can hold it upright...

http://home.swbell.net/ronhelms/

There could be more, but hope this helps whoever was looking for it.

Neal

 

Now that's handy. I would just hope the mirror is metal and not glass.
The position would be destined to catch a rock. And, as anyone knows,
a flying rock at speed can give quite a thump.

I never could figure out why these makers designed that the way they
did. At least before, you had a centerstand to get the bike on and
look down to see the sight glass.

I was concerned when I pulled the centerstand off my bike that I
wouldn't be able to check the oil when by myself. I have a dipstick on
mine, so I just lean down when the bike is upright and pull the stick
to check it. As long as someone has long arms and isn't overweight,
they'll be in good shape to check the oil level on my bike.

 

Maybe there's not enough input from riders given to the designers. It
is sorta unbelievable, stupid things like that.

Seems to me that there's a much simpler solution. When your oil level
is full - having gone through the trouble of checking it in the
recommended way, with the bike levell - then set the thing on its
kickstand and see where the level is on the stick, when positioned
that way. Remember that (or even carve a notch on the dipstick to
mark it). From then on, always check it on its sidestand, using that
reference instead.

Either that, or get a Harley. <g>

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98 FLTRI
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I go a half-step (side-step?) further: It's easy on my bike to see the
coolant overflow bottle from the seat on the bend-over towards the oil
sight-glass. The bottle has "min" and "max" level lines molded into it.
When I check the oil sight-glass, first I make sure that the *coolant
level* is parallel to the bottle's molded-in lines. Then I check the
oil level - - much easier to not tilt the bike in that little
sight-distance between checking the coolant level and the oil level. As
you know, it doesn't take much *tilt* to change that oil sight-glass
level drastically! I try to hold the bike absolutely still between
"level up using the coolant bottle" and actually checking the oil level.
Now that assumes the coolant bottle is mounted to the bike
straight-and-level! <g> But, that kills two birds with one rock:
coolant and oil check. I know...I know...'why doesn't that girl just
buy herself a swingarm stand??' <bg>

 

Don, is this because you know you just have to add the obligatory
litre and you're ready to go?

I put a block of 2x4 under my stand, brings it up "almost" level and
then check the sight glass. Because it is still leaned slightly, I
only fill to halfway on the glass to avoid overfilling.

Brian

 

They didn't call me and tell me they were changing the design and
wanted my input. I'd like to know how many people HAVE been called to
let them know they were thinking of changing a design?

Can't do it. The stick isn't long enough to get into the oil when it's
on the sidestand.

Nah, that's too much trouble. First you have to buy a truck to put the
stickers, then a pair of $400 boots that you can buy at Target for $30
and start smoking cheap cigars that you buy individually so people
think you have "taste". Then once you create the "image" for yourself,
then you buy the motorcycle. You have to buy one from the lowest
priced dealer and that way you can claim you spent more money on it
than you did without people rolling laughing (too much). You have to
get a 9 year note on the thing so you can afford the motorcycle and
the truck that totes the sticker. After a couple months, you have to
start either getting in good with the crowd of people owning trailers,
or you have to buy one yourself. THEN (as if that wasn't enough) you
want to sell the motorcycle because you find you didn't like it after
all and you find it's worth half of what you've invested so far...even
though everyone told you it was a good investment and you find instead
you could've bought an extra jap bike for the amount you lose on the
Harley.

Like I said, that's too much trouble.

How does the oil checking work on the Harleys? I would imagine it's
pretty practical (since owners have to do it quite often).

 

Ah shit. Sorry, I forgot it was a sight glass used for measurement
there...

Sure seems to be simpler for servicing in general.

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I design hardware for industrial engine applications (pumps,
generators, etc.). The "total disconnect between" me and the people
who use my designs are marketing and management a***oles who either
have their own ideas of "how it ought to be," or require some
un-achievable cost reduction.
The service manager and I take the heat when customers
complain (rightly) about something that doesn't work, but those who
are responsible never suffer any of the pain for their decisions.

 

I had a '94 Triumph Trident that came with a dipstick. You had to make
the the bike vertical but it wasn't hard to do while seated on it. Now
my '99 Triumph Tiger uses a sight glass located very low on the engine.
This is a tall bike (for me). You almost have to have two people to be
able to check it. And with a full 6-gallon gas tank on top leaning it
to vertical can be a challenge. I've never understood why they changed.

Cliff Wilkes

 

Interesting to get your perspective on that, Fly. Thanks.

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It's still a bit of a trick checking the oil on a Harley, IMO. I don't know
why they don't make the bikes so they don't have to be upright and level to
check fluid levels. It wouldn't have been hard to make a dipstick or sight
level that works when a bike is on it's stand.

 

I pulled the centerstand off mine because the new pipes I put on it
made the handle of the stand hang WAY out and it looked like crap. I
got under it and pulled the bolts out and chunked it. The very next
time I changed my oil, I sure did miss that old ugly thing.

They have chrome ones that have shorter handles...but they want like
$150 for them (last time I saw them). I guess I should've just taken
the old one to a welder and have them cut down the handle and then
taken it to chrome it.

 

Well, rats...I tried to find my Cycle World that had a great
explanation of this in it, but I'll have to wing it.

The manufacturers all use different techniques when designing the
bikes. Some use wet sumps, some dry sumps, etc. Then, depending on
where the sump is located on the bike, it may need to be leaned over
or fully upright to get an accurate reading. That's the short of it.

For example, my bike uses a 2-part sump. When cold, it may look like
there isn't any oil in the bike at all. Then, crank it up and get it
warmed up. Kill it and lean the bike over and there is the oil level
indication. BTW - for ME, that is exactly how my manufacturer says to
do it.

If your manufacturer says to have the bike upright and warm (most
bike), then do it. If they say to find level ground and check it on a
side stand, do it that way....and if you modify something like your
kickstand (longer or shorter) then it will impact the oil reading of
the bike. Another reason most of them prefer to have you check fluids
with the bike upright.

Anyway....just been away for a while so I am rambling.


--Fullstate