| Author | Message | ||
     Submax |
Hi all, I've read all of the oil checking threads I could find to get some tips on checking the level in my 2009 XB12Ss. Very interesting as it sounds like these bikes tend to be a bit of a challenge to get good readings on. I settled on using the recommended procedure from the 2010 shop manual: Ride for 10 minutes (5 miles), idle on side stand on level ground for 1-2 minutes, turn it off and check. When I did that, the level was reading below the low line on the dip stick. My question is, when adding oil, do you just add and read with the bike off? Or do you add oil, turn it back on and let it idle for a minute to simulate the end of the warmup procedure, turn it off and check again? I know I'm probably overthinking this, but it seems like every bike I've owned had its own quirks about how to check/add oil. Thanks! | ||
| Teeps |
On my '06 Ulysses, if the oil level is low. I add oil a few oz at a time, then check the level. When the measured level reaches the lowest XXXX on the stick I call it good. The bike is parked in the same place in the garage. | ||
| Nobuell |
I have found that I get the most consistent reading with the bike ideling. The oil level of my XT will drop quickly when shut off. As Teeps said, maintain at the low mark. This is where my level is after an oil change when using the recommended amounts. | ||
| Sagehawk |
has anyone figured out that oil dropping deal with 08's up? several threads have happened with this. on my 07, I always let it idle a half minute or so after a long ride. kill it and immediately check level. 2 x's from top is where I keep mine. only long , hot rides will oil carry over into breathers for some loss. the return side of pump is generally some percent larger rotors than the feed side. reason for idling after ride. all dry sump motors function in this manner. also , check valves seem to have a way of misbehaving on some bikes and letting oil tanks bleed into crankcase. | ||
| Submax |
Thanks for the input, guys. Sagehawk - one of the best threads I found about this is http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/387122.html?1283725468. I guess Buell made some changes to the oil system in 08+ that make the oil reading a pain (although, from all the reading I've done many owners of other years also have difficulty getting consistent readings.). Sounds like Buell made a final change to the recommended procedure in '10 that some folks have had more success with. Some folks say to let it idle while checking like Nobuell says. From what I can find, very few people comment about their procedure for ADDING oil once they decide that it needs to be added. They only comment about the initial check procedure. It might not matter...but given all the different ideas for the best way to check the oil, I thought there might be an equal number of ideas about the best way to add oil.  |
