Oil change confusion.

[KraZ440]

I changed the oil in my bike for the first time today. I warmed up the bike for a few minutes, then took out the drain plug. The oil looked old, but other than that, it looked fine. After I had removed the drain plug and filter, I waited until the oil stopped dripping, to empty as much oil as possible. I then installed the new filter and reinstalled the drain plug.

Next, I started to refill the engine with oil. Since I had replaced the oil filter, I was prepared to use the specified 3.1 quarts that the Clymers book and the top of the engine says I should put in. After dumping in two quarts, I checked the inspection window. The oil was already half way between the top and bottom marks.

Is this normal behavior or is there something wrong? Should I put in the remaining 1.1 quarts oil, fill the engine to the top most line, or just leave the oil level half way between the top and the bottom?

[StarGate]

First, be sure you have the bike on level ground and that you have it on the center stand not the kick stand. I always fill mine to the top mark on the window then run it a few seconds and check again. If it still shows full I let it run for a few minutes to be sure oil has had time to reach all areas then check again and add as needed. Once I'm satisfied it is all good I go for a short ride then check for leaks and level one last time. That may seem like a bit much but you can never be too careful when it comes to your engines life blood.

[KraZ440]

Originally Posted by StarGate

First, be sure you have the bike on level ground and that you have it on the center stand not the kick stand. I always fill mine to the top mark on the window then run it a few seconds and check again. If it still shows full I let it run for a few minutes to be sure oil has had time to reach all areas then check again and add as needed. Once I'm satisfied it is all good I go for a short ride then check for leaks and level one last time. That may seem like a bit much but you can never be too careful when it comes to your engines life blood.

When I check the oil level, it is on its center stand on fairly level ground (my driveway). I used the same approach that you do: check the level, run the bike for a short time, wait, check the level, run the bike for a longer time, wait, check the level.

I checked the oil level again this morning. Still no change. The oil level is right in the middle of the glass.

[1500meanstreak]

did you crank it and let it soak up in the oil filter, that might be where the other remaining oil is.

[KraZ440]

Originally Posted by 1500meanstreak

did you crank it and let it soak up in the oil filter, that might be where the other remaining oil is.

I put the filter in dry, but I oiled the various o-rings before assembly.I thought that maybe the oil filter needed to soak up some, but after 15 hours of sitting (and some time running), the level remains the same.

BTW, when I cranked it up after putting in the oil, I kept my eye on the oil light. It went out after about 10 seconds and stayed out.

I suppose it would be interesting to measure how much oil I drained out of the beast and compare that to how much went in.

[Nate]

Fill it to the top line with how ever much it needs. The stated capacity is the needed amount dry from the factory. A small amount stays in the various passages of the engine and will never completely drain out.

So I fill it to the top line, start it for a minute or so making sure the oil light goes out in a few seconds, shut it off, let it set a few minutes, and then top off the level to the top line of the sight glass. From then on I check the level before each ride.

[paul-s]

running temp. wait a little while for it to drain back. hold bike level oil should be in the middle of sight glass. thats from the book.

[likearock4x4]

You don't want to over-fill, as this will cause leaks.

[KraZ440]

Originally Posted by paul-s

running temp. wait a little while for it to drain back. hold bike level oil should be in the middle of sight glass. thats from the book.

Well, since my oil level is staying in the middle of the site glass, it looks like things are going to be fine. I was just a little bit puzzled about why the engine only took 2/3 of what was specified and wanted to make sure that there wasn't some problem (or that I had things confused). I'm planning on doing my second oil change in about 500-1000 miles, then getting on a regular schedule. Since the oil I took out looked relatively good, I guess I won't worry too much.

Thanks for the input!