• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

checking oil

  • Thread starter Thread starter gs54
  • Start date Start date
G

gs54

Guest
this might seem stupid, but, when checking oil level thought window is the front wheel supposed to be on ground or is the back wheel to be on the ground? it does make a differents. thanks. It is on center stand.
 
I think the Book says Bike on Center Stand on Level Surface. No mention of wheels although when My 850 is in the above stated position the front tire is touching while the rear is off the ground.
 
On center stand, front touching the ground. This is the normal center stand position of an unladen bike.

If you have too much stuff on the back weighing it down, you might need to push down on the front to get a reading on the oil level.
 
I've had a question about this. It seems if you put the oil level at the full mark while the bike is on the stand (rear wheel off the ground), the level is above the sight glass if you check it without the stand.

Is this OK or would it be considered too full?

I think I've read too much oil can cause problems.

Kevin
 
kdchart said:
I've had a question about this. It seems if you put the oil level at the full mark while the bike is on the stand (rear wheel off the ground), the level is above the sight glass if you check it without the stand.

Is this OK or would it be considered too full?

I think I've read too much oil can cause problems.

Kevin
Click to expand...

This is OK. As long as the oil level is correct on the center stand on a level surface, don't worry about the level showing in the window in other positions.
 
Thanks Brian - I'm getting set up to start the engine work. Should have all the parts in a few days.
Kevin
 
I've always checked my oil level with bike on the centerstand, but check this out from the "Old Q & A":

DATE: September 26, 1998
QUESTION: How to check oil correctly - 1981 GS850L

I have a 1981 GS 850 L and I was wondering, (its probably obvious) is the oil level suppose to be checked running or off, in the sight glass ? The level changes drastically when running! I have a Clymer's manual and it is referenced nowhere. Thanks in advance!

RIDER: Randall Olshove

REPLY: Frank Perreault
The engine should not be running and the bike should be balanced level on both wheels. It should not be on either the side stand or the center stand.

I always wanted to know where Frank got his info, but never got around to asking him. He sure sounded like he knew what he was talking about!
 
To me this makes sence - level is level.

I think I'm going to split the difference in the future. Put the level at the full mark with both wheels on the ground and it should be above the low mark while on the stand.

I'm probably splitting hairs.

Kevin
 
I don't buy that - the only way to get it level while on the center stand is to get out a level and painstakingly set it up just right. The sight glass should have been designed to show it at the normal center stand position, i.e. rear up and front down. I've never heard of having to do anything beyond that.
 
put bike on center stand, level bike side to side with a level (shim as necessary under center stand leg to achieve a level bike) then take a 4' level to and lay it along side bike parallel to the bike and as close to the tires as possible keeping the mid point of the level and the mid point between the two tires on the same plain perpendicular to the bike, lift one end of 4' level until it shows level in the sight glass of the level (with the other end touching the floor), note which end has the clearance (front or back end of bike), hold the level still and measure between level and floor and record measurement, go to rear wheel and measure between floor and the lowest point of the tire (note it may be best to find the high and low spot of tire and turn the tire to the mid point of the two)-record, divide the measurement by 2 (two)-record. if the clearance between the...

JUST KIDDING !!!

have a good weekend all!
 
Clymer says put it on the centerstand ('79-'84 GS850-1100 Shaft Drive, Third Edition - 1985). My (1982) owner's manual however, doesn't specify.

I had tried the off the center stand method, as posted, but it's difficult to tell if the bike's perfectly upright when you're squatted down beside it holding the front brake with one hand, seat rail with the other, and just trying not to drop the thing.

Centerstand makes more sense. I changed my oil and filter the other night, and refilling with 3.8 qts as the owner's manual suggests brings the level right to full when it's on the centerstand and cold. But that's on a slightly sloped garage floor . . .
 
rustybronco said:
put bike on center stand, level bike side to side with a level (shim as necessary under center stand leg to achieve a level bike) then take a 4' level to and lay it along side bike parallel to the bike and as close to the tires as possible keeping the mid point of the level and the mid point between the two tires on the same plain perpendicular to the bike, lift one end of 4' level until it shows level in the sight glass of the level (with the other end touching the floor), note which end has the clearance (front or back end of bike), hold the level still and measure between level and floor and record measurement, go to rear wheel and measure between floor and the lowest point of the tire (note it may be best to find the high and low spot of tire and turn the tire to the mid point of the two)-record, divide the measurement by 2 (two)-record. if the clearance between the...

JUST KIDDING !!!

have a good weekend all!
Click to expand...


Geezzz man....do you write manuals for a living??:)
 
There's 2 lines on the sight glass.
Split the difference, you don't need to fill it to the top line.


Change the oil, fill it between the lines and go for a ride !
 
beby99 said:
Geezzz man....do you write manuals for a living??:)
Click to expand...

Naw friday boredom at work.
i was just trying to get a point across that its close enough you don't need to split hairs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top