| Author | Message | ||
     Jraice |
I did my HW, I know there are tons of threads on this but I want to get an idea of what everybody is doing. As a lot of us know the newer XB's oil check is less reliable, it needs to be done just after the bike is shut down. This thread isnt about checking the oil, but I will take any input anybody has about tips to get a reliable check. My question is, where is everybody filling it to? My bike now has around 500 miles on it. Oil has always been just a bit above refill marks, still in checkered section by maybe 1/8". After my ride I just took (only about 10 min however) it was just barely even on the dip stick. Added about 100ml, let it idle for 2 min and checked again. Now its back into the hash marks. Not sure if it actually burned some or it was the short ride, need to do a longer ride and recheck before adding more but basically I am asking. How high (please specificy when its being checked at this level as well) your aiming for? At first I had thought half way was what people said, lots of safety room but not so high that you will fill the airbox with oil but in searching I have found a lot of people that say its best to just barely be in the same zone, just above needing to fill. Thoughts? | ||
| Boney95 |
I fill mine 1/4-1/2 up the dipstick. I check the level (2 or 3 times) immediately after the bike is shut off, of course after the bike was at operating temp. | ||
| Jraice |
Thanks Boney, and it seems to stay there pretty well? What I have been reading is that these bikes like to suck oil until it gets just to the low mark and then they seem to stop and will last the entire oil change interval but I'd rather be safe then sorry and put it a bit higher, but it makes me wonder, where is all that oil going? Burning? | ||
| 03firebolt |
For me, I just make sure its above the fill line. I dont check the oil half as often as i should. But anyways, the breather design is made to spit out any overfill. So in my opinion, as long as your above the fill line, you should be good. But im probably wrong so i dont know if i would even take my own advice | ||
| Saratoga |
Right after I changed it, it ended up in the middle of the crosshatch. That's my point of reference. I'll also check it with the engine running and it's usually around the same place. | ||
| Sifo |
A few points... You only have ~500 miles on the bike. Oil consumption will usually be a bit higher during break in. Don't read anything into that yet. I don't really understand why, but every HD motor that I've had has spit oil into the air cleaner when it's filled to the full mark. I find things stay pretty clean at the midway point. Balance this info with the fact that oil is part of the cooling system on these motors -- less oil = less cooling capacity. As for when to check the oil I've heard of 2 issues. You do of course want the oil at operating temperature. The scavenge pump can put a bit of froth into the oil. Basically small air bubbles getting mixed into the oil. This will slightly raise the level on the dipstick. If the oil looks full of air bubbles on the dipstick check it again in a minute or two. The other issue is that some of the newer bikes have had issues with oil draining past the check valve back to the motor after being shut off. This should be pretty easy to check if your bike is doing this. Shut it off and check the oil. Check again in about 15 minutes. You should get an idea of how fast the oil is going down in the oil tank if any. My method is to stop for fuel, check the oil and go. I make a mental note to add a bit when I get home when it gets in the lower quarter of the full area. | ||
| Jraice |
And when it gets to the lower quarter about how much do you add to get it another quarter up? I know the stick says 150ml when you get into the low section but nothing more specific. And next time I check it I am going to do as you said, was planning on it, and go out to check it 10-15min later to see how much it has dropped. | ||
| Sifo |
I just ad a bit more and recheck until I'm happy with it. It doesn't take much, but I never measure. | ||
| Spdrxb |
I agree with sifo, Jraice your engine is prob still burning oil due to break-in.My bike was burning oil until i had about 2400 miles on it then it seemed to stop. but up until then i was using about .5 quarts for every 1000 miles.it was only at about 1200 miles where i really started hammering it though and i might of had a ring seating issue. Anyways your oil level would be also affected by what angle you put dipstick in.Strait in less oil, angled down will show more.Also need to screw cap all the way down,We all have own "method" just keep eye on it until broken in. | ||
| Spdrxb |
BTw, sorry, to answer your orig question I shoot for the middle of cross hatch area if possible | ||
| Jraice |
Souns good Spdrexb... Yeah I am running mine harder. I was easy on the 40 mile ride home in the rain on new tires, then road normal and now am getting into some WOT runs to around 5,500rpm, started that around 300 miles. I want to make sure its broken in pretty well before 1000 miles when I switch to royal purple synthetic. |
