Remember the manual says to keep the level BETWEEN the add and full marks, not AT the full mark.

 

REALLY???

Hang on a sec!, if that is the case, what exactly is the point of having the "fill to" level marker on the dip stick in the first place?

 

good point, However on this forum we can get thirty-five posts on


"Where do you put the oil cap when you are pouring the oil in " ?????

 

I fill up a new filter about 1/2 way. Pour 2 quarts in the oil tank. Run until hot. Check, and top off until it is 1/2 way up the stick between add and full. Works every time.

 

Agreed! While most know by now that some oil remains in the system during an oil change, the draining process also allows air into the system, which can give you a false oil level reading.

I've gotten into the habit of only adding 2 quarts to the tank (in addition to the oil put in the filter), then take the bike for a 20-30 minute ride. Now that everything's hot and most of the air has had time to work its way out of the system, you can check the level on the dipstick and add what's necessary to reach the midway point.

 

It's much like people that are Textbook smart vs people that are Real World smart.

One reads and believes everything they read and think they know it all.
The other relies on years of "real world" hands-on experience to know what works and what doesn't.

Which one do you want to be?

 

and to add more to the fire , be careful using teflon TAPE on your oil plug, it can ( remote possibility I know) plug/jam your oil pump if a piece gets into the crankcase, If you want to use some sealer, teflon paste works as well, and you eliminate the risk .

 

well now I'm begining to question my own knowledge and years of experience lol.

I've been filling it right up cold, the taking it for a good ride then topping it up when its hot for years!

So have I been putting too much oil in there all this time?

Another point here, not sure if this makes the slightest bit of difference. I am in the UK and not the US :/

 

Hi Matt, from just down the road. Doesn't matter which side of the Atlantic you're on old chap, the manual means the same thing!

 

Dang, I would have thought some one by now would know just how much oil it actually takes to get it half way on the dip stick. I will know that when I change my oil. And after that thats how much I will put in each time.