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Hmm hope I didn't do a bad thing - Printable Version

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Hmm hope I didn't do a bad thing - SamCB_imp - 04-10-2017

Took my CB out today for about 30 miles mixed highway and back roads, got back and noticed oil was below lower line. I could get it to show in the sight glass with a *very* slight shift to the right side. I immediately topped it off. This is the first oil change which was a nightmare. Must not have been perfectly level when I did it because it was between the lines just fine when oil changed. Have I ruined it?
Not burning oil, no smoke, no drips


RE: Hmm hope I didn't do a bad thing - Frulk_imp - 04-10-2017

How much did it take to fill back up? Is this the only ride since you last changed the oil? And why was the oil change a nightmare? Should be only about 10-15 minutes if the engine is warm and oil pours pretty quick.


RE: Hmm hope I didn't do a bad thing - the Ferret - 04-10-2017

These engines are over built. Doubt a 30 mile ride with slightly low oil would do any damage.

Honestly I' m a gallon guy. It calls for 4.1 quarts with a filter. I warm it up, remove the drain plug, drain the oil, replace the drain plug, drop the oil filter, let it drain, slap on a new filter and put a gallon of oil in it. I know most people want to get it exactly to the top line, but a few ounces one way or another is not a big deal.


RE: Hmm hope I didn't do a bad thing - SamCB_imp - 04-10-2017

Frill, nah, quite a few since maybe 500. Only took 1/5 qt to top off.

Ferret haha, new bike so I'm super stressed. Thought I overfilled it last time so re drained and spilled hot oil (took it around the block after filling) all over trying to let out only a little oil. Couldn't get first filter off it was stuck good.


RE: Hmm hope I didn't do a bad thing - stateboy_imp - 04-10-2017

The crankcase actually has 5.2 quarts in it, including the transmission. You only drain 4.1 quarts when you include the filter on a regular oil change. If you added 1/5 of a quart (or .2 quarts) to make it good, you still had 5 quarts in the motor (or just over 96% of its rated capacity). I'm with Ferret, your good.


RE: Hmm hope I didn't do a bad thing - LongRanger_imp - 04-10-2017

There's generally a bit of leeway in oil capacity. If you had insufficient oil pressure (not oil level), you would have seen the oil pressure light come on. No light, no worries.


RE: Hmm hope I didn't do a bad thing - SamCB_imp - 04-10-2017

Thanks fellas. New bike so super stressed. It's a lot of bike and $$$ for me also.


RE: Hmm hope I didn't do a bad thing - BestStandard_imp - 04-10-2017

Not a fan of sight glasses... just a slight lean from level gives a false reading. I marked a level spot on the garage floor and place the center stand there. I would much prefer a dipstick while on the side stand method.

And +1 on using 4 quarts to refill... makes it simple and very close to the top line.


RE: Hmm hope I didn't do a bad thing - jimgl3_imp - 04-10-2017

if you can see oil in the glass w/o bike falling over on you you're probably good. if oil light comes on ADD OIL. once your oil gets about 800 to 1000 miles on it, best to add some till you can see it in the glass w/o tipping. there's a butt load of oil in these bikes.


RE: Hmm hope I didn't do a bad thing - ClassicVW_imp - 04-10-2017

Like ferret said, these engines are overbuilt. I bet you could run a full quart low for a couple thousand miles and not have an issue.