Do you check the oil with bike running or off

[j54]

I know the motor should be warm but I do not know if I should have the bike running or not..

When the motorcycle is off it says full, when the motorcycle is on it looks like it could use more oil.

[music man]

If the engine is running the oil is pumping through it, which means you can't possibly check it, because it is spread out all over the place, so no you engine should not be running. Furthermore, it should not have been running for at least a few minutes before you check it to give all the oil time to settle back down to the bottom. And also your engine does not have to be warm to check it either, it needs to be warm to CHANGE the oil in it, but not to check it.

[j54]

Thank you, that is what I figured, just wanted to make sure. The window is a little strange instead of a dip stick..

[Easy Rider]

I know the motor should be warm but I do not know if I should have the bike running or not..


YIKES! Have you ever owned anything else with a gas engine in it ???
Car, truck, lawn mower, etc. ??
They are all the same: The engine must be OFF to check the oil.

I've often wondered why many have changed over to the "sight glass" system; I think now I know!! :roll:

[patrick_777]

Also make sure you're checking it with the bike VERTICAL - not on its side-stand.

[music man]

Also make sure you're checking it with the bike VERTICAL - not on its side-stand.


Yea I forgot to tell him about that part, I have a piece of 1" by 4" that i sit my kickstand on to "level" it out.

[patrick_777]

That's what I do with the Ninja and Shadow. The GZ is light enough for me to just one-hand it from the throttle while off the bike.

[music man]

That's what I do with the Ninja and Shadow. The GZ is light enough for me to just one-hand it from the throttle while off the bike.


Well sometimes i just sit on it and look down at it, but its not exactly an exact science doing it that way.

[patrick_777]

Well sometimes i just sit on it and look down at it, but its not exactly an exact science doing it that way.

I don't think the sight glass method is an exact science anyway.

[Easy Rider]

I don't think the sight glass method is an exact science anyway.

True but it DOES eliminate the problem of oil spewing all over the place when you take out the dip stick to check the oil while the engine is RUNNING !! :poke2: :biggrin:

[adrianinflorida]

[quote="patrick_777":3h1xvh5w]
I don't think the sight glass method is an exact science anyway.

True but it DOES eliminate the problem of oil spewing all over the place when you take out the dip stick to check the oil while the engine is RUNNING !! :poke2: :biggrin:[/quote:3h1xvh5w]
Yep! Been there, done that on an old Toyota Celica I had years ago. Finished the oil change, got everything buttoned up (Except the dipstick as I was about to discover) and started her up. Everything was OK for a few moments. :)

[Easy Rider]

got everything buttoned up (Except the dipstick as I was about to discover) and started her up. Everything was OK for a few moments. :)

Something similar happens when you add a quart and forget to put the filler cap back on........and then the wife takes it out for a road trip. :cry: :skull:

NOT one of my finest moments. :roll:

[Water Warrior 2]

One time when I changed oil in the GZ I tried to start it after pouring in the oil. No go. Not even a hiccup. Lynda pointed out that I had not screwed in the oil filler cap. Screwed it in and away we go. Don't know if all GZs would act this way but it avoided spewing oil.

[adrianinflorida]

One time when I changed oil in the GZ I tried to start it after pouring in the oil. No go. Not even a hiccup. Lynda pointed out that I had not screwed in the oil filler cap. Screwed it in and away we go. Don't know if all GZs would act this way but it avoided spewing oil.
Hmmm, don't know about the fill cap, but I do know you can turn the bike over (Didn't try to start, only turing the motor with the starter, checking on if I had fixed my screwup on the valve adjustment) with the valve covers off, and with the timing mark inspection window off, and you can splash oil everywhere doing it. ;)

[Easy Rider]

One time when I changed oil in the GZ I tried to start it after pouring in the oil. No go. Not even a hiccup. Lynda pointed out that I had not screwed in the oil filler cap. Screwed it in and away we go. Don't know if all GZs would act this way but it avoided spewing oil.

HOLD THE PHONE !!
Are you trying to tell us that there is some kind of "safety" on the oil filler cap that will prevent it from starting if the cap is off ?? :??:

I think it is MUCH more likely that you just got lucky and one of the OTHER safety switches was preventing it from starting........and after screwing on the cap, you did it right the second time.

:popcorn:

[j54]

[quote="patrick_777":qu4a2p02]Also make sure you're checking it with the bike VERTICAL - not on its side-stand.


Yea I forgot to tell him about that part, I have a piece of 1" by 4" that i sit my kickstand on to "level" it out.[/quote:qu4a2p02]

I know to have the bike standing up, I Just thought they might of put in the window instead of a dipstick for some strange reason like it should be running when you check it..

[Water Warrior 2]

I knew I would get a rise out of some one. No safeties involved. All I can think of is the engine was no longer "sealed" and the air and fuel got compromised. That's my story and Lynda is my witness.

[Easy Rider]

That's my story and Lynda is my witness.

Yea but we already knew that all you Canadians are a little strange, eh. :poke2: :crackup

[Water Warrior 2]

[quote="Water Warrior":d98s8jci] That's my story and Lynda is my witness.

Yea but we already knew that all you Canadians are a little strange, eh. :poke2: :crackup[/quote:d98s8jci]

Stranger than most but that might be because of the influences South of here. :roll: