Oil level checks

Why is it that on a bike that is sold out of the factory with only a
side stand does it say check the oil level with the bike level. Why
don't they just arrange the oil level indicator so that it shows the
correct level when on the side stand?

 

Because the ground may not be flat, and the stand itself and its
bracket will tend to bend slightly over time such the that angle will
not be consistent over time or between different units.


--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 (slightly broken, currently missing)
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10
`\|/`
`

 

Don't forget that they put the side stand on the other side in mainland
Europe and in the US as well.

 

Non OEM tyre profile or suspension settings ? The only way to ensure an
absolutely consistent level mark is with the bike upright on ground that
is level fore and aft. Reliance on side stand checking introduces too
many variables. I really think it is so critical on a Voxan that they
should fit a two-way sprit level (like I had screwed to the floor of my
camper van).


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+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Not sure if you think you're trying for humour here, or if you
genuinely believe this is the case. In either event, you're wrong.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 (slightly broken, currently missing)
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10
`\|/`
`

 

No wonder their bikes fall over a lot.

 

Miserable cnut.

 

my old GS125 years ago had a little glass window in the side so you
could tilt the bike until you convinced yourself the oil level was
ok ;-)

 

It's almost Darwinian. If you're incapable of holding a bike upright
whilst looking through the sight glass, you deserve to have your
engine seize due to lack of oil at one in the morning, in pissing
sleet, in Wales. Get my drift?

 

You say this, but my Trophy had the oil window (a tiny one, too) by
the gearbox sprocket, on the left-hand side. So you had to tilt the
bloody bike *away* from you to get the reading. I never managed to
push it over, but it was a close call, on one occasion, at least. Why
they didn't stick a window in the clutch cover, like everyone else,
God only knows.

 

<cough>
I did drop the TL doing this, last year. Given that I was in the
middle of tarting it up to sell it, I was not a happy bunny.

Guess I'd better avoid riding in Wales, then.

 

The Nordwest has a sight glass right down by the gear lever shaft. Not
as heavy as a Trophy, but a Highish C of G, so the long handlebar to
keep hold of is a boon.

The Tart also requires a bit of ingenuity. You need to unscrew the
dipstick and clean it first, then get the bike abso-bloody-lutely
upright and check the level. Trying to unscrew a hot dip stick [1] with
one hand whilst holding the bike vertical with the other can be rather
fraught.

[1] Must be checked at operating temperature.

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+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

 

On 29 Jan 2007 08:59:49 -0800, TOG@toil,

It still has to be /upright/ though. On the point of balance, in that
calm still area where all is in accord. This is exactly the same on
the left as the right and makes no difference, unless the direction in
which one's hair flops is significant.

Assume the position on the appropriate knee, take firm hold of a bar
end and do the neccessary, holding a frame rail if required. NP.

Might be amusing with a Rocket 3, I'll grant you.

 

<TOG@toil>; <>;

Must be a Triumph thing - the Tiger doesn't have a sightglass, it has a
dipstick which you have to read from an upright bike, can be tricky
holding approx 220Kg of top heavy bike up with one hand while unscrewing
the dipstick with the other. At least it's on the right hand side.

 

Alan wrote

I don't follow this. You check it once when you first get the bike in
the factory approved position and make sure it is right then you put it
on the sidestand and check again and note a new setting for "right" by
means of sight glass or dipstick. It is never an issue again.

 

Sidestand on the left, dipstick on the right means that when the bike is
on the sidestand the dipstick doesn't touch the oil. Looking into the
sightglass of the ZX9 when it's on its sidestand and no oil visible -
put it upright and it shows normal.

 

Sure do; I'll keep out of Wales, thanks for the reminder.

 

Presumably a Health & Safety issue. They might have imagined being sued
by the relatives of a biker killed by a trailer whilst trying to check
the oil level at the side of a motorway.

 

<Tongue In Cheek>

Shhhh..... Don't tell them that and don't tell them that if they remove the
dipstick, wipe it clean, dob it back in then haul the bike to balance
point, hold it there for a few seconds, let the bike rest back on its
sidestand then check the dippystick, that'll also show the level. Sheesh,
if they knew that, they'd be those weird Australian creatures. What are
they?, oh yes, Dangeroos.

</TIC>

 

Similar problem for me. With the Nordwest on the stand the sight glass
on the left is completely full if oil level is correct. OK for a quick
check - if you can see any sign of a 'bubble' the level is low. No good
for preventing over-filling though. TBF I usually check the Nordie while
the bike is still on a rear paddock stand (with a brick under the front
wheel if going for full precision).

On the Voxan the dip stick is on the right. TBF, IIRC the stick does
just about reach the oil if full, but the consequences of getting it
wrong mean I prefer to do it the hard way.

<Cue woman driver "I need a longer dip stick jokes.">

--

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+