G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile

Buell Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through January 21, 2005 » Sight glass « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Fullpower


Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 01:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

my wifes ducati has the coolest innovation: an oil level sight glass. anybody ever consider drilling an inspection port in the side of the swingarm and screwing in a transparent sight glass? then you wouldnt have to unscrew the FILLER cap unless the oil level was LOW.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Midknyte
Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 02:46 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Or how about this - a thermometer'esqe sight glass to replace the filler cap that has a float that pushes up a visible needle.

Wouldn't require any modification or possible damage to swingarm.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ara


Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 09:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Drill a hole in an structural component of the suspension system? You'd be well advised to know exactly where the points of hightest and lowest stress are before you do that.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Spatten1
Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 10:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sight glass for oil level has been standard in Japanese bikes for 20+ years.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Spatten1
Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 11:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I just started riding the XB instead of the X1. With my old bike the oil level moved at least an inch from a cold engine to a warm engine (after letting the oil settle) I kept over filling it because I was checking it when cold. My air box was lubricated very well!!! Luckily my dealer told me to never check it cold, because I called in a panic about burning a quart every ride.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ted


Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 12:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

no owners manual ?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Spatten1
Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 12:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Nope, got it used.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Davefl


Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 12:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sounds like a complex solution to a simple problem.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Aesquire


Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 01:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Most of my bikes from Nippon had sight glass's. The mostly su$%ed, real hard to read when oil is fresh, get opaque when oil is older. Besides, would sight glass oil level not depend on suspension setup?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Blake
Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 01:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Not necessarily any more so than dipstick oil level.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Jlnance


Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 02:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

With my old bike the oil level moved at least an inch from a cold engine to a warm engine (after letting the oil settle) I kept over filling it because I was checking it when cold.

My Blast is like that. If you check it on a cold morning, the oil won't even reach the dipstick. Thats kind of unnerving.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Hkwan
Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 05:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I hate the freaking dip stick that comes on the XB. To begin with, it is black so that it is difficult to detect the oil residue on it.

Secondly, the stick is curved everytime I pull it out of the oil tank/swingarm. I've to bend it backward before re-inserting it back into the oil tank. I don't even know what the accuracy is with this badly manufactured item.

The real deal from aftermarket costs $60. Way to expensive. There isn't any in-between solution, is there?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

M1combat


Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 05:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yellow shrink wrap on the OEM stick.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ted


Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 05:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

From Gentleman jon, June29th
Ever wonder how to read the oil level on the black dipstick that came on your bike? Can't be done: the factory doesn't want owners doing complex maintenance themselves:-)

Here is a simple little mod that solves the problem.
Instructions:
1. Buy 3/8" or 12-10 ga. light colored heat shrink tube. Napa # 784663 was used in this example.
2. Cut to 2 1/2" long.
3. Slip over end of dip stick
4. Apply heat evenly until tubing shrinks to fit.

Note: Style conscious Buelligans will of course be matching the color of their machine, ( unless it is a black one
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Hkwan
Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 05:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm taking it that the heat shrink doesn't slip off easily (hopefully).

Thank you all.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

M1combat


Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 06:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks Ted... I couldn't remember who posted that first : ).

And thanks Gentleman Jon too : ).
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

M1combat


Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 06:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hkwan - Once it is heated, it will shrink (hence the name) around the stick fairly tightly. As long at it doesn't start out WAY too big and it shrinks nicely over the stick you should be alright.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

12bolt


Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 04:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

With the shrink tube are you still able to tell where the high/low marks are?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Nedwreck


Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 11:18 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The sight glass thing is a fine idea except for the fact that Buells (thankfully) are dry sump motors.

Bob
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Suprsprt454
Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 11:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have a nice cnc aluminum dip stick from Banke Performance, nice piece it is, cnc'd knurled top and threads, o-ring seal, and a very easy to read metal dip stick.

Mike
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Password:
E-mail:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration