Vulcan Drifter Riders

DISCUSSIONS => Drifter 800 Only => Topic started by: Hoppy on March 26, 2010, 08:35:51 AM

Title: Checking oil level
Post by: Hoppy on March 26, 2010, 08:35:51 AM
To be sure , it's a pain in the neck to check the sight glass for proper oil level. I started checking mine this way......With a known correct level of oil, I set the kickstand on a 2X6 and start an already warmed up engine. Then, at idle, check the oil level sight glass. My oil level is dead center of the sight glass at idle.
Just curious if anyone else checks their 800 this way.
Hoppy
Title: Re: Checking oil level
Post by: TC on March 27, 2010, 22:46:07 PM
Quote from: Hoppy on March 26, 2010, 08:35:51 AM
To be sure , it's a pain in the neck to check the sight glass for proper oil level. I started checking mine this way......With a known correct level of oil, I set the kickstand on a 2X6 and start an already warmed up engine. Then, at idle, check the oil level sight glass. My oil level is dead center of the sight glass at idle.
Just curious if anyone else checks their 800 this way.
Hoppy

I don't think you can get an accurate reading with the motor running. I could be wrong, it has happened before. :-[
Anyway I think there is more oil in the motor than shows when it is running as the oil will be circulating in the motor.
Title: Re: Checking oil level
Post by: chief on March 28, 2010, 13:32:07 PM
With the engine running you don't get an accurate reading, since the oil is moving. But I guess if you do this every time the same way, and the level is in the same place, you know its ok.

The book says to let the oil settle (engine off) a few minutes before checking the level.

I think the real problem is overfilling. With the oil circulating the level will be lower in the glass. If you fill to the upper range, you will have a bike that is overfilled... not a good thing.