80 GS550e oil change and nothing in the sight glass?

[Bobbys 94]

What is a little hilarious about this whole thing is, I've done many nut and bolt restorations over the past 40 or so years and I NEVER had issue with how much oil to put in the crankcase or how to check it properly. The day I bought this bike I ordered a shop manual and read the owners manual cover to cover before touching the bike.

[Grimly]

I'm not sure of this, so it's just a guess, somebody who knows might pop up with a definitive answer.
I wonder if the PO fitted a later side case (if they fit, that is) that might be windowed for a higher oil level.
Similar thing happened to my XS - it shouldn't have a windowed case, but a PO fitted one. Makes oil checking much easier, and the dipstick still works fine.

[Bobbys 94]

I'm not sure of this, so it's just a guess, somebody who knows might pop up with a definitive answer.
I wonder if the PO fitted a later side case (if they fit, that is) that might be windowed for a higher oil level.
Similar thing happened to my XS - it shouldn't have a windowed case, but a PO fitted one. Makes oil checking much easier, and the dipstick still works fine.

Going by my research on Partzilla the clutch cover is unique to the GS550 line. The GS650,750 and 850 all have the clutch activation going through the clutch cover on the right side and the GS550 works via push rod from the opposite side of the engine.

[Grand Rouge]

Soooo.... after 19 posts......what do you have as far as oil volume? I checked oil levels on both of my GS 1100E's this morning as well as my Honda ST 1300. Checked first on center stand. Then, without assistance handy, I lifted the front wheel on each until rear tire touched the floor. Placed some wedges under front tire to maintain proper position. Motorcycles now thought / think they are on 2 wheels...errrr...becaue they are / were. Additionally, a magnetic spirit level was placed longitudinally on each tank with machine on center stand and bubble centered. Center stand to 'both tires on floor position' moved bubble a wee tad of course. Most importantly, the observed oil level in each window did not change enough to be of any significance..... we are talking less than 1 MM. All this talk of center stand, 2.7 quarts...manual says that includes filter etc..... is BS. Fill the fkg thing with oil, observe and adjust the level as / if required.....and get on the open road. Remember too, the folks who write the 'owners manual' are not infallible. End of rant.

[Cipher]

The suggestion to put the bike on the centre stand is a very wise legal dept warning.
The difference would be negligible but the bike wont fall on you or your pet parakeet.
The notion that it came from the engineering department is insane.
The ultimate accuracy issue is that the bike be level fore and aft and side to side. Even a slight lean drops the oil level low or high.
ALso warm the engine and allow for sufficient drain back time prior to checking.

[Grand Rouge]

Agreed. Makes sense.

[Cipher]

Also OP was the engine worked on at all. There are pockets in the head that hold a considerable amount of oil and if these were empty the bike was improperly reassembled and would need more oil.

[Bobbys 94]

Soooo.... after 19 posts......what do you have as far as oil volume? I checked oil levels on both of my GS 1100E's this morning as well as my Honda ST 1300. Checked first on center stand. Then, without assistance handy, I lifted the front wheel on each until rear tire touched the floor. Placed some wedges under front tire to maintain proper position. Motorcycles now thought / think they are on 2 wheels...errrr...becaue they are / were. Additionally, a magnetic spirit level was placed longitudinally on each tank with machine on center stand and bubble centered. Center stand to 'both tires on floor position' moved bubble a wee tad of course. Most importantly, the observed oil level in each window did not change enough to be of any significance..... we are talking less than 1 MM. All this talk of center stand, 2.7 quarts...manual says that includes filter etc..... is BS. Fill the fkg thing with oil, observe and adjust the level as / if required.....and get on the open road. Remember too, the folks who write the 'owners manual' are not infallible. End of rant.

Took 91oz for the oil to read just below the F on the level window. About 10oz more than the recommended amount and, I'm calling it good.

[Cipher]

Took 91oz for the oil to read just below the F on the level window. About 10oz more than the recommended amount and, I'm calling it good.

Proper level is halfway. Enjoy windage drag....

[rphillips]

"Proper level is halfway" I've never heard that before. Would that be for auto's also, halfway between "F" and "L" on dipstick?

[Nessism]

I always fill to the top of the range.

[Bobbys 94]

Also OP was the engine worked on at all. There are pockets in the head that hold a considerable amount of oil and if these were empty the bike was improperly reassembled and would need more oil.

Who really knows if it was worked on over the last 43 years. I took the valve cover off to torque the cam brgs/holders and everything looked like new to me.

[Grand Rouge]

Took 91oz for the oil to read just below the F on the level window. About 10oz more than the recommended amount and, I'm calling it good.

Thumbs....... Up.