oil check: What does this mean?

[benny]

I'm sure this is supposed to be much easier than I'm making it but here goes:
Previously when checking my engine oil I've followed the procedure and when i put the dipstick in there was a visible amount on the dipstick (between the min and max), I've recently passed the 1000km mark so thought I'd do a full check of all my fluids. (plus the other bits n the manual). Now when I went to check the engine oil (with the bike cold and being held level) I seemed to be getting funny reading sometimes I'd put the stick in and it would come out dry, other times with a dab on the end as if the oil was lower and sometimes soaked on one side and dry on the other, and sometimes reading correctly (between min and max) on one side but just random dabs on the other. I tried rotating the dipstick whilst it was in (Counter clockwise to prevent screwing it in) to try and get the same readings on both sides but this didn't work. I couldn't figure out what's going on.

Also tried to check my coolant and rear brake fluid levels but when looking I couldn't tell if they had anything in, on the front reservoir the fluid is quite visible, is it possible I'm running so low I couldn't see it or is it just the lighting/old plastic? Does removing the seat cowl make it easier?

Also used my new venhill pressure gauge, rear read 34ish and front 20 so pumped the front up to 30.

[missis sumner]

First, oil. I suspect yours may be really low from what you're saying, and you're just picking up a bit of the tube on the dipstick as you pull it out. In any case, I thought the correct level for the oil was at the max mark? And I certainly wouldn't be leaving it for 1000km without checking it. Consider yourself told off!

Secondly, coolant and rear brake fluid level is a lot easier to see with the seat unit off.

[benny]

I have checked it a few times (this maybe the 4th time?) and it's always been easy, which is why this surprised me.
If oil is leaking will it look yellow? I had some yellow fluid (a tiny amount) in the bottom of my fairing the first time I took it off but haven't seen any since. And there was a small oily mark on my shed floor today where the bike is normally stored, oil goes in red but would it come out yellow?

[missis sumner]

I have checked it a few times (this maybe the 4th time?) and it's always been easy, which is why this surprised me.
If oil is leaking will it look yellow? I had some yellow fluid (a tiny amount) in the bottom of my fairing the first time I took it off but haven't seen any since. And there was a small oily mark on my shed floor today where the bike is normally stored, oil goes in red but would it come out yellow?

I don't know what oil you're putting in that's red - not two stroke is it? But it does come out a gold colour, if it's clean and fresh, brown to black if it's old.

Why don't you try leaning the bike over as you take a reading, just to make sure you can get it to register on the dipstick properly? Or if you suspect there is oil on the dipstick and you just can't see it properly, when you take a reading lay the dipstick on a clean towel - it'll show the oil up a lot better than trying to see clean oil on a metal stick.

[benny]

its a sort of orangey colour, castrol for motorcycles 10w40 (or whatever it says in the manual - 10w40 sounds about right but I made it up) blah blah, semi synth

it normally appears on the dipstick in a decent sized blob rather than a thin film, I always wipe the dipstick then try a couple of times. I'll try filling it up a lot more?

[missis sumner]

If you're sure it's not registering on the dipstick, yes, fill it up until it reaches the max mark, with the bike held upright. Do it in small increments so you don't end up over filling.

I've had oil leaks on mine, but I've got to admit that even though the oil was quite noticeable on the fairings/sump, I didn't really lose enough to drastically affect the level on the dipstick. Could you be burning oil?

[alexwitham]

The bike was bang on correct when I done a check over, this includes all brake fluid, coolant and the oil and filter were done before you picked it up so I know it was A) New oil and filter, B) The correct level. The oil used was 10/40 semi synthetic that I had purchased from Hein Gerick before they closed down. (I bought loads of the stuff).

To check the oil you just need to have the bike up right, and unscrew the dipstick, wipe it clean, insert and the level should be between min and max. If it's low, then apply 2-300ml per time and allow oil to settle then repeat process.

There is no need to check brake fluid levels, coolant may be worth a check as it was bled with fresh castrol coolant before collection.

[micpec]

The bike was bang on correct when I done a check over, this includes all brake fluid, coolant and the oil and filter were done before you picked it up so I know it was A) New oil and filter, B) The correct level. The oil used was 10/40 semi synthetic that I had purchased from Hein Gerick before they closed down. (I bought loads of the stuff).

To check the oil you just need to have the bike up right, and unscrew the dipstick, wipe it clean, insert and the level should be between min and max. If it's low, then apply 2-300ml per time and allow oil to settle then repeat process.

There is no need to check brake fluid levels, coolant may be worth a check as it was bled with fresh castrol coolant before collection.

with regards to the explanation and procedure to check the engine oil, the usage of 10W40 semi-synthetic
(I've put castrol power rs 4t in my nc's).

Just an oil change = 2.4 ltr renewal quantity
Both oil + new oil filter change = 2.5 ltr quantity

[benny]

I had the bike held upright (by a person not my abba stand to prevent funny readings as the bike tips forward) must just be too low, I'll take the seat unit off at the weekend and check the coolant. Will do oil tomorrow.

Alex - any ideas why the front tyre was so low? (20psi) the rear was fine. Or is this normal?

[dgunthor]

re: air - could be leaky valve or slow puncture in tyre, keep an eye on it 33psi front and 33psi back works well