04-01-2014, 02:19 AM
(03-31-2014, 08:20 PM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: I presume the trick is to get the bike level. If the floor's level, presumably the stand will hold it level, although the bike can move fore and aft. The trouble for me is that I could never hold the bike level off the stand and see the inspection window all at once. What's wrong with dipsticks?There's a big difference in what the sightglass shows between the bike being level with both tires on the ground, and being on the centerstand.
I don't have the manual in my hand (it's under the bike's seat and I'm not inclined to go look at it) but if the manual does state the bike needs to be on the centerstand then do it that way. Don't hold the bike level on the tires.
Bikes without centerstands usually need to be held level with both wheels on the ground. I use rear stands on all my bikes and cannot check the oil properly when they're up on the rear stand. It reads much lower than normal as the oil flows toward the front of the bike. There is a technique to holding the bike level with one hand whilst bending down to eyeball the sightglass.
My rear stand puts the wheel approximately where my (removed) centerstand would put it, just a bit lower, but sufficient to remove the wheel.