| Author | Message | ||
     Portero72 |
Wondering what is acceptable-I appear to be going through an average of 1 ounce every 100 miles. Just to be clear, after 400 miles of riding this week, i needed about 4 oz to raise the level back to where i normally keep it-2 X's from bottom of stick. FWIW, its an 06 with 3600 miles, I'm using 20-50w, and I don't ride it like TOO much of a hooligan. Thx, y'all. Oh yeah, it's also the 'faster/cooler' barricade orange. harharhar | ||
| Crusty |
That sounds like acceptable oil consumption to me. Of course, 25 years ago I rode a Shovelhead that went through a quart every 400 miles or so. That was considered acceptable back then. | ||
| Portero72 |
Funny, it's not a huge deal for me, but I have a 79 yamaha with 88k that uses no oil between changes. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Oil usage depends on riding style, temperature, break in variances, casting variances, and oil brand choice. Much of it is due to the bike being air-cooled. Air-cooled engines have looser tolerances due to higher operating temperatures causing differing expansion characteristics of different metal alloys. I tend to ride with the engine spooled fairly high (4500-5500 RPMs) with quite a bit of engine braking. Therefore, the heads, cylinders, and oil all tend to be running at higher temperatures. The cylinders, cylinder walls, and rings will all be heated to slightly different temperatures. Therefore, slight differences in ring sealing will occur. This will allow slightly more blowby and engine braking suction to pull oil past the rings. Add to these conditions that the oil will be at higher temperatures causing the viscosity to decrease facilitating suction past the rings as well as increased vaporization allowing more of the oil to escape the breather lines and be sucked back into the intake track. Some bikes burn almost no oil. Mine burns about a half quart between oil changes. Add to all of this that the methodology for checking the oil allows a high degree of variance. You have to be on absolutely level ground with the oil at proper temperature with the suspension at just the right level in the rear to get the correct oil level. I have my preload set pretty high. As a result, my rear swingarm is deflected more than someone who's suspension is set to the minimum preload. This means that maximum preload tilts more of the oil toward the rear of the bike and away from the dipstick. This also means that the wheelbase is slightly shorter causing the angle on the kickstand to differ slightly. Overfilling the oil allows more of it to enter the vent tubes and be sucked into the intake. I am going to try an experiment with the next oil change. I plan to fill it exactly with 2.5 quarts of oil, ride it until it is up to temp (but without any excessive engine braking), and then check the oil level. The level on the stick will allow me to know what is the "full" mark for MY bike. I recommend you do the same for your bike as well. | ||
| Portero72 |
Good info/sage advice. Thx a ton | ||
| Teeps |
Ft_bstrd Posted on Sunday, December 02, 2007 I am going to try an experiment with the next oil change. I plan to fill it exactly with 2.5 quarts of oil, ride it until it is up to temp (but without any excessive engine braking), and then check the oil level. The level on the stick will allow me to know what is the "full" mark for MY bike. I will be surprised if the oil level will even register with 2.5Qts. I just changed the oil in my Uly and put closer to 3Qts. in, to reach the middle of the dip stick X's. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
2.5 is capacity per the manual. | ||
| Dr_greg |
2.5 quarts puts me (er, my engine oil level) about 1/8-inch above the "ADD" mark. I consider that "FULL." After 40,000 miles my Uly engine uses a little oil between changes, but not enough to concern me. Oil consumption has not increased since the bike was new. | ||
| Birdmanrh |
If you keep adding and adding and adding to get the oil to stay at a certain level, stop doing that. You may find that your engine likes the oil level where it keeps burning oil off and that all you are doing is wasting oil. I have had vehicles stabilize right below the add line and have never had an issue. | ||
| Hooliken |
Just changed my oil and mine is right on par with Dr_greg. About and eighth to a quarter above add mark. My Uly seems to like it right there. If I add more it just uses it. | ||
| Oldnotbold |
Just changed my oil and mine is right on par with Dr_greg. About and eighth to a quarter above add mark. My Uly seems to like it right there. If I add more it just uses it. Yup, then go get it good and hot and it will be showing full! Dennis | ||
| Dr_greg |
Yup, then go get it good and hot and it will be showing full! No, the 1/8-inch above "ADD" was after thoroughly warming up the engine. | ||
| Birdmanrh |
Dr Greg, Mine lives there as well. If you use Marvel Mystery Oil (in your gas) you might see improvements in engine performance. My bike idles better, smells better and puts less crap out the tailpipe. |
