No Oil in Sight Glass

[Rob S.]

I experienced the 'disappearing oil' situation earlier today. I didn't ride, just start. I did what Nessim suggested - two minutes than off, still nothing in window. Also, did what the owner's manual says - start, then let it warm up at no more than 2k (using choke).

Turned it off a few times, never let it fully warm up (or rev above 2k). It occurred to me that it might be the tilt of my paddock stand (see pic).

What I didn't do was get nervous and add oil like last time. The oil's got to be in there somewhere - she loses maybe a drop or two on the floor each week, the shifter is dirty and the exhaust is invisible; not losing or burning enough to significantly deplete the crankcase.

Agreed?

 

[Steve]

How do you get it to stick to the wall like that? :-k

You do realize, I hope, that keeping it on the wall like that puts the sight glass on TOP of the engine and you will never see any oil there.

.

 

[Rob S.]

How do you get it to stick to the wall like that? :-k

Okay, ready for this?

I'm in 308; I'm going down now to check on spots 304 - 307. If they're full (everybody's in for the night), I'll run two long extension cords and charge my batteries. (Outlet is at spot 304). Hopefully, I can get them both charged by about 5:30 AM. Charged or not, at that time I'll unplug everything and resume the next midnight. I'm already breaking the rules by having two "vehicles" in one spot.

Neither staff nor neighbors need to know that I'm running cords and stealing electricity. I miss having a private garage.

 

[chuck hahn]

Take it off that stand. I think its too tall and all the oil is running to the front of the sump and not reading in the glass. If anything have a friend hold the bike upright when its on the wheels.

 

[salty_monk]

You can put a small level on top of the engine, crouch beside it and pull it over to you off the side stand until it’s level. Use your shoulder to stabilize and check the glass...

for a level google “mini spirit level” several will come up, even keychain ones and all the hardware stores have them.

I’ll sometimes do that on a trip when it’s hard to find level ground (such as on a campsite in the morning...)

 

[Nessism]

The sight glass is calibrated for having the bike on the center stand. A level bike, on two wheels, will have the oil sloshing towards the back of the engine. I'm not sure how much this matters but since we are splitting hairs...

 

[Grimly]

It doesn't make the slightest difference to any sensible reading.
It's a technique I use a lot on the fly.

 

[Rob S.]

Take it off that stand. I think its too tall and all the oil is running to the front of the sump and not reading in the glass.

That's a thought.

...crouch beside it and pull it over to you off the side stand until it?s level. Use your shoulder to stabilize and check the glass...

When I had my own garage, I'd sit cross-legged with my back against the wall, then tilt it off the side stand (which sits on a brick). Worst case, handlebars would contact the wall and prevent it from going over. But I recall that if tilted far enough, the oil would always appear in the window.

 

[93Bandit]

I experienced the 'disappearing oil' situation earlier today. I didn't ride, just start. I did what Nessim suggested - two minutes than off, still nothing in window. Also, did what the owner's manual says - start, then let it warm up at no more than 2k (using choke).

Turned it off a few times, never let it fully warm up (or rev above 2k). It occurred to me that it might be the tilt of my paddock stand (see pic).

What I didn't do was get nervous and add oil like last time. The oil's got to be in there somewhere - she loses maybe a drop or two on the floor each week, the shifter is dirty and the exhaust is invisible; not losing or burning enough to significantly deplete the crankcase.

Agreed?

I think your problem is the tilt of the bike when you check the level. The sight glass on my 850 shows no oil when the bike is on the side stand. If I hold the bike upright or put it on the center stand, oil appears in the sight glass. I cannot tell an obvious difference between center stand vs just holding it upright.

 

[Rob S.]

Oil's back!

Oil's back!

All it took was a good healthy tilt to the right. I was so tickled, I took her out for a midnight run. Rode conservatively, but wanted to see how hot I could get her. 205f, even with hitting the buck for a second. A few more at 90, and the rest was quasi-legal.

Time to put my thermostat (cardboard) back on, but I've never notice it make a difference. Any season, any riding, oil never goes over the 210 mark, cooler covered or not. I think it's just the trip out of the engine block more than any radiating happening at the cooler.

 

[Guest]

I've noticed on my bike when it's on the center stand after an oil change and leak check, the oil is in between the two marks where as off the center stand though I have it standing straight up the oil level is over the full mark and just fills the sight glass. I'll tip the bike to the left just a smig and you can see the oil just above the full line. Or on the center stand and little or no oil shows. Off the center stand and it's between the lines. Gotta love that one.

 

[Rob S.]

I was very thankful to have the centerstand on my Z1 because it burned oil like a mother. I put it up at every destination. A good workout, at least.

My 11E didn't come with one (in 2013) and I soon learned to like it that way. More like a GSXR. Less weight. Another 'gadget' to buy - only $19 for a paddock stand.

Speaking of weight, here's a question for all you engineers, experts and assorted racers and builders: whatever it weighs (9, 10 lbs?), less is better. But the centerstand rides low and, yes, center. So, theoretically, would adding one lower the center of gravity?

 

[Grimly]

Speaking of weight, here's a question for all you engineers, experts and assorted racers and builders: whatever it weighs (9, 10 lbs?), less is better. But the centerstand rides low and, yes, center. So, theoretically, would adding one lower the center of gravity?

Well, yes; but not as much as adding a 40kg lead weight.

 

[rphillips]

Well,yes; but not enough anyone could tell the difference.

 

[Rob S.]

Well,yes; but not enough anyone could tell the difference.

That's why I have no plans to add one. Less is more.

 

[93Bandit]

Speaking of weight, here's a question for all you engineers, experts and assorted racers and builders: whatever it weighs (9, 10 lbs?), less is better. But the centerstand rides low and, yes, center. So, theoretically, would adding one lower the center of gravity?

Yes, in the same way that putting a feather on the seat will make the bike heavier, but perceive-ably, no.

 

[rphillips]

Hey Rob, I've thought about getting a paddock stand for my Kawa. ZRX, I've never been around one & wondering, can I use it by myself? It looks like I would need help balancing the bike till I get it up on the paddock..

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

lots of videos on youtube. I like this one.

all stands are not created equal. here's some reviews and comparisons of stands of various qualities.

 

[Guest]

Hey Rob, I've thought about getting a paddock stand for my Kawa. ZRX, I've never been around one & wondering, can I use it by myself? It looks like I would need help balancing the bike till I get it up on the paddock..

You can get any bike on a paddock stand alone. With the bike on the kickstand, you put the V shaped lifter of the stand on the sprocket side spool, stand the bike up, put the V lifter of the stand under the brake side spool, then push down on the handle of the stand and voila! rear tire is in the air.

When shopping for a paddock stand, I highly recommend the spool type as they are MUCH more stable and secure than they type with L shape lifters that go under the swingarm. You'll need to bolt on some spools onto the lugs of your swingarm.

Pitbull makes some of the best paddock stands out there. IMO don't cheap out on a stand because if it bends, fails, or your bike falls off the stand due to poor stand design, you're going to have a very bad day. Pitbull stands are made in the USA, work great, built to last, and the TIG welding on the joints/seams is amazeballs.

 

[Rob S.]

Without modifying my bike, I had to use the L-shaped lifting pads. Stand was on sale for $19.95 so I couldn't say no. Came with parts for bikes that did and didn't have the "grommets" on the axles.

Getting her up is really no problem. Centered, that's another matter.

Getting her down is the scariest part. Make sure the side stand is extended. And in my case, aimed for the brick I lean her on.