Oil site glass - wiper

[quietguy_imp]

I read the "big" thread on the oil level/site glass.

But I could not find anything about using the "wiper screw" on the site glass...

... thoughts, suggestions, methods?

[Bob Sdaman_imp]

I never figured out the need for the wiper either. I've seen other bikes with just a sight glass alone, and that works perfectly fine.

[Carguy1959_imp]

I thought it's use was to set the needle to the hour of the day when you are checking the oil level.

[kmoney_imp]

As far as I know, you're supposed to take a small flathead and use it to wipe (by turning the screw windshield washer style, back and forth) any crud buildup off the inside of the glass if it becomes obscured. I think this is a bit of an anachronism in this day and age, but I've seen instances where it would be handy.

My first bike was a 1980 XJ650 that I got non-running after sitting for probably 15 years from my dad. That thing's sight glass was so caked with black crud that it took about 4 or 5 oil changes before you could actually see any type of oil level in the sight glass. Would have been awesome to have a wiper on that one.

With today's oil tech, I doubt this type of sludge is even possible.

[Cormanus]

It's there so you've something to do with your collection of otherwise redundant flat head screwdrivers.

[redbirds_imp]

It's there so you've something to do with your collection of otherwise redundant flat head screwdrivers.

Would the use of Dactyl branded oils make a need?

[wiredgeorge_imp]

As a vintage bike guy, I can attest to the fact that oil will eventually leave a brown film on the inside of the sight glass making it tough to see the oil level. On most vintage bikes, there is a thin aluminum screen of sorts on the back that makes cleaning nearly impossible. It is easy to cut this screen type thing off and wipe the sight glass to clean it. Never could figure out why a screen was placed on the inside as the sight glass is unlikely to come in contact with anything that could touch it.

[quietguy_imp]

I was simply curious. It's very difficult for me to get down on my knees (bad from a prior motorcycle wreck), so what I did in attempts of checking my fill level, was to snap a photo using my phone. But it's a cloudy brown looking into the thing so very difficult to see. I may try to rotate that little wiper, see if it helps any.

Thanks for the input, fellas...

... quietguy

[the Ferret]

qg.... Here's what I do. I looked at that sight glass the first time I changed the oil. From then on, if it's not leaking out and it's not burning it out the exhaust pipe which you would see and smell, I never look at that sight glass again. The next time I change it, I know how much oil I dumped in, and since mines not leaking or burning it's good until the next change. I MAY look at before a trip but not necessarily if I changed it recently.

[quietguy_imp]

Makes sense, Mr F...

And by the by, at what mileage intervals do you change?

Thanks.