How to check oil level?

[RACERX]

Today I did the infamous 600 mile oil change to my sv. It was my first time changing oil on a bike. I had one question though. The manual says to add 2.5 quarts, run @ an idle for a few minutes and turn off and wait a few minutes, then check. I did that but when I looked at the oil window nothing appeared so i added 1/4 more and then oil appeared in the window. Is this bad?
thanks
cory

[dnakase]

I go by 2.5 quarts no more no less.

I usually wait untill the next morning, then check it. It' usually toward the top of the window.

But I doubt its gona hurt to have 1/4 quart more.

Would have been nice if they made it a full quart one way or the other though... No way to f**k up 2 or 3 quarts.

[TomSV650]

Carefull on adding oil. The bike has to be perfectly straight to get an accurate reading. It's real easy to overfill....

Also someone said on the SVrider site to keep your oil level halfway between the upper and lower lines. It supposed to shift better...

[Setter32]

On checking the oil.........

I would let it idle for more than a few minutes before checking...................unless the engine is already plenty hot.

If you let it idle for only a few minutes........<5 minutes.......... you may not see anything in the window. But if you let it idle for ........let say around 10 minutes............. you'll see it in the window.

That's my experience anyway.



:D

[CamaroSS]

When the bike is level, how much oil should I be able to see in the check window? I just went to check mine, and its not very high when I hold the bike level. It was a cold engine if that matters

[ward]

bike's gotta be warm or you won't see nothin' anywhere between the lines is OK

[CamaroSS]

I just ran the bike for a couple minutes and stood the bike up. I still cant see much oil at all if any... Add more right?

[ward]

yup, gotta be between the lines!
add a bit

[CamaroSS]

Thanks, I just got the bike and I want to make sure everything is in order.

I swear I still cant see any coolant in the resevoir (drained what little there was and added more), but I just ran the bike for 5 min or so at idle and it didnt overheat so far. The fan did come on though.

[Kurt'sSV]

1. Until I met you jokers I always checked my oil on a cold engine. It gives you the same read as a warm engine (assuming you're holding the bike upright).

2. Mr. Camaro, where are you checking your coolant level? There is a reservoir under the fuel tank that has a little, crappy window that has a full line on it and you might be able to see your coolant level through it (though I can not on mine because it's crappy). As long as the bike doesn't over heat, the coolant level is cool.

[CamaroSS]

I'm looking at the little resevoir under the fuel tank. Its nice to know that you cant see anything either...

[ward]

how the heck did you check oil when cold??
when I try I never can see crap, then after I warm the bike up.......

TA DA

I can see oil,

maybe my oil has performance anxiety

[dnakase]

There is a coolant resevoir? And its under the tank? The radiator has a fan?

I guess I figured if the idiot light didn't come on every thing was ok.

I'm just past 7,000 miles so now might be a good time to flush the old coolant.

[Golden_Eternity]

Originally posted by ward
how the heck did you check oil when cold??

Werkz fur mi.

[jwalstad]

I am always able to see oil when my engine is cold. Just rotate the bike to level, and whala, OIL!!

[Kurt'sSV]

Originally posted by dnakase
I'm just past 7,000 miles so now might be a good time to flush the old coolant.

Changing coolant (and break fluid) has more to do with time than miles. You're supposed to do it every two years.

[Kidtaurus]

I finally got my filter in the mail along with the special tool did the oil change and warmed up the bike per the shop manual. went inside grabbed a quick bite to eat went outside to see the oil window and I can't see any oil in it. The window just looks empty.

[Kurt'sSV]

Is your bike on the side stand? No oil will show up then. The bike has to be upright for oil to show.

[Wegzumir]

The bike needs to be perfectly vertically straight up and down for the little window to work. You can accomplish the task of keeping her vertical and still being able to examine the window in a few different ways:

1) Leave the sidestand down, head round to the right side of the bike where the window is, and carefully pull the bike towards you until she's vertical. Look at the window. Then flip a leg over her and carefully put her back down on the side.

2) Have a friend sit on the bike vertically while you inspect the window.

3) Sit on the bike vertically yourself, and then depending on how flexible you are, bend over and look at the window directly, or use a hand held mirror to check it.

4) Use a motorcycle jack (not a rearstand) that keeps the bike vertically straight while lifting her up.

Also, have you checked your manual to see just how much oil you should be adding? I would value that information over what gets displayed in the window.

[work4crown]

In case you want to use the mirror method you can buy a mirror at an suto parts store that has a telescoping arm. I bought one for my dad for Christmas that is about 2.5 feet long when extended for $6. at Advance Auto.

[Zombiesai]

$6 buck huh? really splurging on those family members this year....

[Kidtaurus]

finally got her done. What a PITA compared to cars. I apparently did not have enough oil and realized it when my friend rocked her side to side. She is now between the f and L but closer to the F.

[KRG]

Just got an 03' sv650 with 1000 miles on it. Warmed up the bike, changed the oil and the oil filter, but can't see a level in the indicator. I put in 2 quarts...ran the engine to get the oil moving and to get it in the filter and then added some more oil and still can't see anything. The manual says it holds around 2.3 quarts and i've put in 2.5. Anyone ran into this before? I'm taking it in for an all around check up soon, but wanted to make sure I at least had some new oil in it.

[racinteach]

stand the bike up straight...and if you changed the filter too you may have to add addtional oil...

[midimench]

Originally posted by KRG
Just got an 03' sv650 with 1000 miles on it. Warmed up the bike, changed the oil and the oil filter, but can't see a level in the indicator. I put in 2 quarts...ran the engine to get the oil moving and to get it in the filter and then added some more oil and still can't see anything. The manual says it holds around 2.3 quarts and i've put in 2.5. Anyone ran into this before? I'm taking it in for an all around check up soon, but wanted to make sure I at least had some new oil in it.

It's 2.4 quarts without filter and 2.9 quarts with new filter. Don't confuse the milliliter stats

[J.Moto]

I've put in over 3 quarts before in my MkI SV.

[Dante]

Originally posted by racinteach
stand the bike up straight...and if you changed the filter too you may have to add addtional oil...

+1 on that. If you don't have it on a rear stand or stood up straight, you'll never see any oil in the looking glass. Careful not to overfill it, as it will cause your clutch to go all wonky. If you changed the oil and filter, it will take close to 3 quarts, like they said. It takes a few minutes for the oil to settle down to the bottom from when you pour it in. So, put it in, let it sit for 15 minutes or so, and check it again. Patience, grasshoppa.

[KRG]

Thanks for the help. I figured out that I needed to stand it up straight after I wrote the post. Added a bit of oil...total of 3 quarts. Now I have a check oil indicator on the display. I'm hoping that running it a bit will work the oil through the system.

[racinteach]

when you turn the bike on yes the oil light will dispaly for a bit..then turn off...

[Hobbesy]

Changed my oil for the first time and filled it until it was showing full. Ran the engine for a minute had to drain quite a bit to get it to read at the full line again. Rode a bit today and checked when I was done (after waiting a few minutes) and it was reading above the full line again. Ended up draining maybe 1/16 quart to get it back to full again. What am I doing wrong?? Cut a board to the thickness that lets the bike, when I just let it rest on it's stand, sit perfectly level so I know that at the very least I'm reading from the same position each time.