Checking your oil

CDNRatMan · March 19, 2018, 16:11:50 PM

if the military wanted you to have a W.I.F.E. they would have issued you one on enlistment.

RockinRollin · March 19, 2018, 09:50:58 AM

Maybe Ratman should get a wife since he doesn't want to use a mirror and bifocals?

2beers · March 16, 2018, 18:09:36 PM

There's a specialty tool you can get to check the 800's oil, but it's pretty expensive. The Part # is W-I-F-E.

CDNRatMan · March 16, 2018, 17:29:25 PM

But you are still young and do not require reading glasses......wait till then......

RockinRollin · March 16, 2018, 09:44:56 AM

I have been using an inspection mirror ( I own a 1500 ) sit on level bike and use the mirror.
Something similar to this expect mine is bigger and square.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/telescoping-inspection-mirror-8-14-in-0586828p.html

KEN. · March 09, 2018, 22:49:56 PM

Hello All....As I have a bike lift with a large vise that clamps the front wheel its never an issue...KEN.

greenbarn · March 05, 2018, 14:33:02 PM

Quote from: CDNRatMan on March 04, 2018, 23:02:34 PM
you are now up to 4......Pilgrim is at 2 and 49 Reo is still 0

Geez, just trying to help, LOL

Tfrank59 · March 05, 2018, 07:24:40 AM

I agree -- my bike doesn't burn or leak any oil either, but I verify that fairly regularly by checking the sight glass, and I also check how dirty my oil is getting. For me it's like checking tire pressure, I just always do it on a regular basis.

CDNRatMan · March 05, 2018, 04:02:19 AM

So far I have had help in checking it at the start of the summer, and once it is correct, then I don't have to worry about it because Kawasaki produced such a good machine it does not consume or burn oil so it is good till the end of the season and then time for an oil change......so not a big deal.......

kw-retrorider · March 05, 2018, 03:41:06 AM

On level ground, I position the bike vertical by blocking it with a small piece of wood under the kickstand. Then you can get on the ground with your reading glasses on and look for a level.

Pete · March 05, 2018, 03:32:47 AM

Quote from: CDNRatMan on March 04, 2018, 11:48:41 AM
My driveway is not level so I have to do it in the shed.

Pete I also have a pair of them jacks, never thought to use them because I think that the bike should be sitting as it would straight up.

Pilgrim not all of us are as young and strong as yourself. I also find it hard to get down to see the sight glass and hold the bike upright with one hand......but if you can do that with a 1500 wow you are strong......lol.....

You only use the jack to get the bike up and vertical, but not extending the suspension, it's then sitting exactly right to check the oil level.

CDNRatMan · March 04, 2018, 23:02:34 PM

you are now up to 4......Pilgrim is at 2 and 49 Reo is still 0

greenbarn · March 04, 2018, 21:06:51 PM

Here ya go Ratman, put this on the end of a stick....
https://www.amazon.com/Magnifying-Tabletop-Magnify-Double-Sided-Magnification/dp/B075VCQM72/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1520219021&sr=8-2&keywords=lighted+magnify+mirror

CDNRatMan · March 04, 2018, 19:09:56 PM

Well with my arthritis, I am not as agile as I once used to be and have come to understand this issue. I once could have done this, but now I need hands to get down, I need reading glasses to see the sight glass. Never having checked the oil on a 1500 not sure of where the sight glass is. But by the time I get down to see mine I am near laying on the ground, and my arms are not that long to have a firm grip on the bars.......so I might need to have my arms lengthened..........or buy a lift so I can get it to eye level.....

Tfrank59 · March 04, 2018, 16:03:01 PM

The only scary part for me about that is in the event that it does get away from you opposite the side stand, and you're crouched down low to see that sight glass, it would be very easy to drop it. That's why I'd rather just sit on the bike and use a mirror, and I have bifocals but can still see it

Old Drifter · March 04, 2018, 14:07:48 PM

Quote from: Pilgrim on March 04, 2018, 13:50:42 PM
Once you get it upright and in the sweet spot there is no pressure on you.

I agree...a 67 year old man can even do it. You must be really old Ratman...lol.

Pilgrim · March 04, 2018, 13:50:42 PM

Once you get it upright and in the sweet spot there is no pressure on you.

CDNRatMan · March 04, 2018, 11:48:41 AM

My driveway is not level so I have to do it in the shed.

Pete I also have a pair of them jacks, never thought to use them because I think that the bike should be sitting as it would straight up.

Pilgrim not all of us are as young and strong as yourself. I also find it hard to get down to see the sight glass and hold the bike upright with one hand......but if you can do that with a 1500 wow you are strong......lol.....

Tfrank59 · March 04, 2018, 09:29:46 AM

Quote from: Pilgrim on March 04, 2018, 07:55:55 AM
I grab the seat rail and handlebar and move it upright and look then slowly let it back down on kickstand

I tried doing that a couple of times and it was so scary because I had to get so low in order to see the sight glass I basically had to be on my knees and decided I ain't doing this no more.

Pilgrim · March 04, 2018, 07:55:55 AM

I grab the seat rail and handlebar and move it upright and look then slowly let it back down on kickstand

Pete · March 04, 2018, 03:49:08 AM

Yes, it is a pain.
I've got a small jack that is just small enough to slide underneath and that has hods that engage with the frame. I raise the jack just enough to get the bike level.

Tfrank59 · March 03, 2018, 20:31:56 PM

Yeah it's funny I had this Triumph Bonneville one of the new generation ones and the Brits copied the Japanese by using a sight glass and they were smart enough to put it on the right side of the engine so that a person could simply hold on to the bike Tip It Up level and see the oil level. But my other current bike is a Honda and they were smart enough to just give you a dipstick and you can sit on the bike and check your oil with a dipstick

CDNRatMan · March 03, 2018, 18:57:36 PM

well I am needing reading glasses and have tried to do it your way and it is next to impossible. I am so surprised that Kawasaki did this really stupid way to check the oil. I normally ask for help and check it when I have help around. If no help then I find a wall I can park next to and stand the bike against the wall and it is close to square and upright then really quick get down and look.....

Tfrank59 · March 03, 2018, 18:54:12 PM

Hey I don't know if there's already a thread about this but maybe there should be -- how do you guys check your oil? What I've been doing is with a mirror (and sometimes with a little flashlight in the same hand) I sit on the bike and I level it and check the sight glass to see the oil level that way. Seems like any other way is a two-man job.