oil changes, levels, etc...

[wantar1200gs]

I know this is a bit of short notice, but am open to having peopel over this coming saturday to work on their bikes, I am goign to be checking my valves for clearance and adding a couple LED lights, and some little exhaust work as i need to replace the front donut between the head and head pipe. I plan on grilling some lunch so bring some food or stop by the store to pick something up. I have most tools just lacking torque wrench and have access to feeler gauges... please RSVP to slipper21@... or call ahead.. 701-388-2334 thank you, Travis... and yes Ross... i know you already plan on coming per your text 20 minutes ago..

[transalp 1]

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.

> http://wiki.answers.com/Q/10_oz_of_water_equals_how_many_ml >> What that tells me is that when I see the top of the sight gauge-line, I

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. > > >