The CB1100 Community Forum
Oil level question - Printable Version

+- The CB1100 Community Forum (https://cb1100forum.net/forum)
+-- Forum: Honda CB1100 Discussions (https://cb1100forum.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Forum: Mechanical & Technical (https://cb1100forum.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=7)
+--- Thread: Oil level question (/showthread.php?tid=5001)

Pages: 1 2


Oil level question - 562loosenoodle_imp - 03-27-2019

I got home from work and put the bike on the center stand. Figured I could wait five minutes and check the oil level. Well after thirty minutes the oil level showed a reading that was below the bottom line. Was the bike too hot to check? Or, am I low on oil. My next oil change is this Saturday. I guess my bike burns oil?

What do you think is going on?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


RE: Oil level question - Lord Popgun - 03-28-2019

Low on oil.

Not enough info to know if it is burning oil, but most likely not. check around the filter and drain plug for leaks. It may not have been filled properly last oil change.


RE: Oil level question - GoldOxide_imp - 03-28-2019

Definitely low oil if after a few minutes of engine off time. The hot oil flows well in the direction of gravity.

Popgun's suggestions are a great first step.


Oil level question - mattmcuomo@yahoo.com - 03-28-2019

If you don’t already try to check oil in the same level spot every time. Also, I find I have to top off oil somewhere around halfway between changes. I ride mine a lot at high and low speeds, high and low rpm so I’m sure some oil gets vaporized and burned. Just my 2 cents.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


RE: Oil level question - GoldOxide_imp - 03-28-2019

(03-28-2019, 01:30 AM)MMC_imp Wrote: If you don’t already try to check oil in the same level spot every time. Also, I find I have to top off oil somewhere around halfway between changes. I ride mine a lot at high and low speeds, high and low rpm so I’m sure some oil gets vaporized and burned. Just my 2 cents.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good point MMC. I agree. If you gobble up RPM, then then some oil will blow by and burn.


RE: Oil level question - Rocky_imp - 03-28-2019

I agree, after 30 minutes hot oil would have settled long ago.
Just needs to be topped up I would say.
Good advice from popgun Thumbs Up


Oil level question - 562loosenoodle_imp - 03-28-2019

Yeah, my oil change is this weekend. It just needed a little. I ride everyday about 70 miles.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


RE: Oil level question - dave - 03-28-2019

What do you think is going on?

My bike gives erratic and inconsistent oil level readings also. I brought this up in a thread a while back. I checked my oil level at home one time and was shocked to see it was low - I knew it shouldn't be low because I had recently checked it. I rode to the shop to buy a quart of oil and when I arrived there the oil level had returned to normal - it had changed from the lower line in the sight glass to the upper line. Bike was on center stand and on level ground both times, and was checked approximately 5 minutes after turning the motor off.


RE: Oil level question - peterbaron - 03-28-2019

If there is no leak, bike is not burning oil, has no piston blow-by, is always on center stand and you have different oil level readings = you check your oil level at different conditions, i. e : too soon after shut off, not running bike for a while after oil/filter replacement or checking oil level when bike ran cold and too short.
The best and 100 y. o. perfect method is: center stand and next day= cannot go wrong.
* Assume: air cool engine, no fuel interference and I do not believe in engine oil vaporization during normal usage.
Before I start my bike, I have a quick look on the floor if any leak. I check engine oil level between intervals only if I go on very long/multi day trips. Done.
Ride it, do not babysit


Oil level question - mattmcuomo@yahoo.com - 03-28-2019

(03-28-2019, 09:52 AM)Dave_imp Wrote: What do you think is going on?

My bike gives erratic and inconsistent oil level readings also. I brought this up in a thread a while back. I checked my oil level at home one time and was shocked to see it was low - I knew it shouldn't be low because I had recently checked it. I rode to the shop to buy a quart of oil and when I arrived there the oil level had returned to normal - it had changed from the lower line in the sight glass to the upper line. Bike was on center stand and on level ground both times, and was checked approximately 5 minutes after turning the motor off.


I’ve had the same happen to me. Now I only check it in my garage in the same place every time. Make sure it’s hot and sits for awhile before you check too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk