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Thumpthump
Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2013 - 01:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The last 2 mornings, within 30 seconds after I start the bike, the oil light starts to flicker and then stays on. I immediately shut it down with the kill switch, wait a few seconds and then flip the switch and restart it. After the second restart, the light goes out and stays out like it should. I rode it to work with no oil light coming on.

I checked the oil level last night and its fine. I run HD 20-50 full synthetic. The bike isn't that cold in the morning, maybe 65 degrees and stored in the garage so I don’t think it’s due to the viscosity.

Why would this be happening?
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Luftkoph
Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2013 - 02:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Bad pressure sensor,or grounding of oil switch wire
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Tootal
Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2013 - 04:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I had that happen to me when I was trying extended oil changes. I was trying to go 5000 miles with synthetic but the filter started clogging at 4000 miles and was causing low oil pressure. I put a different filter on and it lasted for a while and then it started the same thing. I figured the oil had been bypassing for a while. I changed the filter and oil and no more problem. I was using a Purolator Pure One filter which is an excellent filter but too good for the lump. I went back to Purolator's regular paper filter and no more problems. Now I'm back to 2500 mile changes. These engines really seem to run dirty. My Honda car will go 10,000 miles, use 1/2 quart in 10,000 miles and you can still see through the oil. Just shows how tighter tolerances of water cooled engines run a lot cleaner.
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Luftkoph
Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2013 - 05:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Just shows how tighter tolerances of water cooled engines run a lot cleaner.


sounds like froggy has been whispering in your ear
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Thumpthump
Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2013 - 05:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I was concerned that it was a restriction also but I cant imagine that its the filter, I've put less than 1000 miles on it since the last oil change using factory filter and oil. I do have 2 extra factory filters sitting around and I guess it wouldn't hurt to change, only the cost of the filter. It's better than running without oil.
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Tootal
Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2013 - 07:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

sounds like froggy has been whispering in your ear

It does, doesn't it!!

I prefer air cooled on a bike even if it's not technically as good!

If you only have 1000 miles on your filter then that's most likely not your problem, just thought I'd throw that out there just in case. As mentioned, check the wiring and sensor.
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Natexlh1000
Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2013 - 09:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Weird. I have always changed my oil and tranny fluid at 5000. The book said to.
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Sagehawk
Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2013 - 11:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Seemed like a good time to ask if anyone has tried a scotts performance filter or pure power oil filter. these being the lifetime filters that are out there, just not advertised very much.
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Tootal
Posted on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 07:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I think 5000 miles would be ok with the right filter. A Pure One filter uses a glass strand media that filters to 10 microns. Evidently that's too small for our air cooled engines. I think the stock filter filters to 30 microns. The regular Purolator filter is a paper media and flows better like the stock one. I'll try going longer with the paper style filter and see how it works
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Luftkoph
Posted on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 08:34 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If you read about those stainless steel oil filters you may not want to put one in your engine.I would not put one in my lawn mower.
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Froggy
Posted on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 10:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Tootal, between your pinging/timing issues, and now your oil issues, it is clear you got a friday afternoon motor. Then again it is an 06, all those bikes were friday bikes!

I've always changed my oil at about the 5000 mile recommended interval, no issues with the oil light, and that was on two 06 XBs, 08 XB, and a 03 Blast.

One advantage of the 1125r is that at its 6200 mile oil only (no filter) change interval, the oil comes out pretty damn clean looking like your Honda!
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Natexlh1000
Posted on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 10:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Almost as if it's not being baked to death.

I change me car's oil and it comes out looking mint too.

My old dodge van's 318 would make the oil look like crap in 2000 miles so it's not just the liquid cooling that allows oil to look pretty after many miles.
I think it's both the operating temperature as well as the tolerances of the engine.

Don't even ask what an ironhead sportster does to oil in the summer!
I used to change the old timer's oil every 2000 miles and it always came out looking like it was freshly pumped from the ground.
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Tootal
Posted on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 03:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well Froggy, my pinging issue is not the fault of the bike but the crap fuel we get here in the corn belt. Alcohol is meant to be served in a glass, not a gas tank! When at Homecoming I had no pinging problems, starting problems or low fuel mileage, it ran perfect!! As soon as I filled up with Illinois corn syrup it went back to it's old self!

I don't have an oil issue either, just had the wrong filter on it. Tomorrow it gets a fresh filter and 60wt. Amsoil in both holes and another 5000 miles on the odometer!
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Uly_man
Posted on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 03:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"sounds like froggy has been whispering in your ear. It does, doesn't it!!" If some listen it will happen. Because the Frog, Rat and some others DO have an idea about these bikes.

This bike is a Buell? It is a bike with a reworked air-cooled HD engine for high performance. It is not IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM a Hardly bike, a Honda bike/car, a 1940 (or other aero type engine) Curtiss P-40, a Dodge truck or anything else for that matter.

Do as you wish but few things work as well with a air cooled engine as lots of oil/filter changes.

Way to much "specky" talk about this bike and not enough about the basics of looking after it.
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Tootal
Posted on Saturday, July 20, 2013 - 09:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Uly_man, cut out some of the caffeine! The Frog, the Rat and I know each other and have ridden together at Buelltoberfest. Some times we give each other a hard time, it's all in fun! I'm quite aware of the differences in my Uly and my Honda. I've been a maintenance machinist for over 30 years and built many engines both automotive and motorcycle. I don't know everything and I hope to keep learning till the day they throw dirt in my face but I think I've got the basics down.
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