Today I purchased another Drifter 1500, this one is a 1999 Drifter
***IMPORTANT: the bike sat 'outdoors uncovered' for over one year in the elements rain, cold, heat, etc. without being driven for over one year .
***i'm looking at the oil glass and it is milky.
is it possible for water or condensation to get in the oil, or is it something more serious?
I charged the battery and it started right up, I drove it for 2-3 miles and ran fine?
The oil looks 'milky beige' on the oil sight glass.
Could be condensation... Or worse.
I'd change the oil and go from there.
***UPDATE;
*I drained my oil and all the oil [3.5 quarts] was milky beige?
Remember the bike sat outside for a year in the elements.
I DO NOT KNOW IF THAT MUCH 'CONDENSATION' COULD GET IN THERE TO TURN ALL THE OIL MILKY
***I have no oil in the radiator, the radiator is full and very green color.
I figured if it was the 'headgasket' there would be oil in the radiator also, correct?
It's good that you drained the oil.
I'd run a mix of oil / Sea Foam with a new oil filter (add 3 oz. Sea Foam to each quart of oil). I'd run it for 10 miles then change it again (filter & all), this time with 1½ oz. Sea Foam to each quart of oil mix of oil. Run that for 100 miles, then change the oil and filter again to whatever you want to run and ride off into the sunset happy. It ain't cheap, but it's good insurance.
Quote from: ski.dive on March 15, 2010, 18:57:45 PM
***UPDATE;
... I figured if it was the 'headgasket' there would be oil in the radiator also, correct?
a radiator builds pressure, so it is common to have radiator fluid in the oil and no oil in the radiator, when gasket failed.
do as noted above, change the oil and monitor. also check that the cycle is not running hot. hotter the engine, more radiator pressure you have.
Quote from: ski.dive on March 15, 2010, 15:48:19 PM
Today I purchased another Drifter 1500, this one is a 1999 Drifter
***IMPORTANT: the bike sat 'outdoors uncovered' for over one year in the elements rain, cold, heat, etc. without being driven for over one year .
***i'm looking at the oil glass and it is milky.
is it possible for water or condensation to get in the oil, or is it something more serious?
I charged the battery and it started right up, I drove it for 2-3 miles and ran fine?
The oil looks 'milky beige' on the oil sight glass.
condensation forming in the the lower cases is normal.
If the bike has not been run long enough the vaporize the water molecules (get the bike up to normal temp for a good ride), you eventually get a build up of water in the crankcase oil and it turns a milky color.
When I bought my '02 1500 it had sat for quite awhile, only started once or twice and not warmed up much; first ride I took on it, my sight glass was all milky; I drained it right away,(no water) put on a new filter, new oil, and has been good ever since. Hope yours is as easy.
Regards and such,
49Reo :)