oil level self service

[Kawdolph]

Did my service last week changed oil filter and oil also shaft oil ,filled her with oil and it was between the level marks on the window ,tonight at work put bike on side stand and noticed that in the oil level window oil level was above the top line , am i better off taking out some of the oil or is it the fact that i put it on the centre stand also put something under front wheel to level off oil level still above top line.

[Lonewolf]

How can you check your oil with the bike on it's side stand?

[Kawdolph]

not on the side stand but stand the bike up straight and let someone else look at glass.

[Rusty]

I think the ideal way of checking your oil is to leave the bike on the centre stand to allow ALL the oil to settle and look at the glass level after some time ... maybe 10 minutes ... this would give you a true reading of what you have in there. If you just take it off the side stand, hold it level and give it a look not all the oil will have washed back into the engine and you wont get a true reading. Again, if the level is above the top mark, having checked it on the centre stand then drain some out, otherwise too much oil for an engine equals too much pressure as the engine was made to run within certain criteria, ie certain power levels and fuel input and oil levels ! Hope this helps and makes sense !

[Kawdolph]

thxs for the reply problem for me is that this is my first bike ,believe it or not that has a centre stand.

[nogoslow]

you should NOT let the oil settle for 10 mins to check the level, you will get a false level.
Start the engine and allow it to run long enough for the oil pressure warning light to go out, it only needs a few seconds. This ensures that there is oil in all the engine oil pathways(as it would be if the engine was running). then hold the bike upright on level ground and check/adjust the level. This is the same for bikes or cars, dipstick or sightglass.

[Bondu]

Sorry to disagree, but the oil level should be checked several minutes after turning the engine off. The Kawasaki recommendation is to check the oil prior to every ride.

[Winston Smith]

you should NOT let the oil settle for 10 mins to check the level, you will get a false level.
Start the engine and allow it to run long enough for the oil pressure warning light to go out, it only needs a few seconds. This ensures that there is oil in all the engine oil pathways(as it would be if the engine was running). then hold the bike upright on level ground and check/adjust the level. This is the same for bikes or cars, dipstick or sightglass.

Wrong.

Extract from the workshop manual

ENGINE LUBRICATION SYSTEM 7-9
Engine Oil and Oil Filter
WARNING
Motorcycle operation with insufficient, deteriorated,
or contaminated engine oil will cause
accelerated wear and may result in engine or transmission
seizure, accident, and injury.
Oil Level Inspection •Check that the engine oil level is between the upper [A]
and lower levels in the gauge.
NOTE
○Situate the motorcycle so that it is perpendicular to the
ground.
○If the motorcycle has just been used, wait several minutes
for all the oil to drain down.
○If the oil has just been changed, start the engine and
run it for several minutes at idle speed. This fills the oil
filter with oil. Stop the engine, then wait several minutes
until the oil settles.

[nogoslow]

The reason I say start and leave for a few seconds is. It only needs a few seconds to fill the filter and oil pathways. And it then also only takes a few seconds 10-20 for the excess to drain back to sump. This ensures there is enough oil in the sump for the pump to pick up when the engine is running. If you leave it to long you could get a false reading leaving low sump oil level when running. I'm not trying to challenge the big K but for 10 years in the motor trade that's how we did it. Please feel free to disregard everything I've suggested that's just how I've always checked my oil and that of my customers when I was in the trade.

[Kwikasfuki]

When I check the oil, I always check with the oil warm. As long its in the specified range, I ain't too bothered

[Rusty]

Well, I think we can safely leave it at that !  ;D

[Boomer]

When I get home, I leave the motor running until she's on the centre stand.
Then in the morning before I leave I check the oil level.
Works for me.  ;D

[Therenback]

after placing a spirit level on the seat !!!!!!! gently warm the oil, then add the garlic, chopped onions and straighten your pinnie WTF

[routemaster]

Is that a left or right handed spirit level???

[fatharry]

Is that a left or right handed spirit level???

make sure you have the right kind of bubble!! ;D