Just did the 600 mile service on my 09'. It included the 2nd oil swap since
new.
Here's what I've found:
There were small flakes of metal in the original oil filter at just over
100 miles. From what I understand, this is normal and
all the more reason to change the oil early & often at first. At 600 miles,
I had to hunt a bit in the old filter to
find some tiny specks of metal. (getting better). Each oil change, I've
added oil until the sight glass was full, ran the bike
a minute or two to saturate the new filter, stopped the engine, waited a
few more minutes and then added a small amount of oil
to get the sight glass full. It took just shy of 2400ml to get rid of the
bubble with my bike on a Pit Bull swingarm stand
holding the rear wheel an inch or so off the ground.
I'm going with revmaaatin on this one, fill it up until the sight glass has
no bubble at all, then splash in a dab more oil
and it should be at the Kaw. 2.5 liter recommendation.
eddie
> Hi Don, and others-
> It has been a long time since anyone has commented on the usefulness of
the sight glass--or it accuracy, etc
> A summary of your oil volume: you are not at full capacity (as I
understand it) if you are using the sight gauge as the 'full' indicator.
> The operators handbook and a 'stamp' on the case indicate that my bikes
have a 2.5l capacity (as does yours) with a filter change--so I did a
little experiment to see where the top of the oil sight gauge was in
reference to 2.5l (with a fresh filter).
>> I drained the oil, changed the filter and added 2L of oil. Ran the
bike, and let it set for more than 10 minutes. I then added oil slowly in
small increments--let it set, added more oil--to see what remained of the
fresh, 2.5L volume when I reached the top of the sight gauge.
>> I have discovered that when I fill the oil and stop at the top of the
sight gauge, I have ~10oz or 300ml remaining from that 2.5l.
need to add 300ml or 10oz of oil.
>> Does it matter?
> well, 300 divided by 2500 = 12.5% of your oil volume. Take it down to
the bottom of the sight gauge, and you are nearly 15-18% below full.
Knowing the beating the oil takes in the transmission, fuller is mo'better.
smile.
> Personally, if I see the bubble in the sight gauge, my pigs get a drink.
>> as a side note:
> Most KLR's will start to 'consume' oil when ran for long distances above
6K and 6500rmps. not a bad thing...just keep an eye on it--and don't be
surprised--or without spare oil -- if you are going to campaign your KLR at
high rpms.
> Some poor fellow here at DSN reported adding nearly 2qts of oil after a
long, long, long ride at high rpms. Don't be that guy, or...buy his
bike.... (no, it was not me,--at least, not yet....)
>
> In summary of the usefulness/position of the sight gauge: it is a useful
indicator of oil volume, but not 'full' oil volume.
>> One can believe the operators manual, or believe that the sight gauge is
'full'. I prefer the printed word, and use the sight gauge as a go/no go
indicator for adding oil to full capacity of 2.5l--which clearly is 300 mil
above the top, sight gauge line.
>> revmaaatin.
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