Oil Level sight glass

[REFFI]

I hate to start a topic if it's already been covered. I read through the three most current pages of the forum and didn't see anything releated. My problem is: I pulled the bike onto the center stand and tried to check the oil level in the sight glass. The sight glass is totally black. No indication at all of oil level. My last oil change, as have all of them, was at the dealer and it wasn't that long ago. Has anyone experienced this problem? If so, how was it solved. I'm afraid to just add oil it the bike doesn't need it, but I also don't want to ride it with the oil level low.

Thanks for any assistance or guidance.


Ralph

[Buckster]

Don't ADD any oil. If it's totally black I would leave it alone. Sounds like they may have slightly overfilled to be honest. The best level is to the middle of the sight glass. If it is low, you will see some sort of silver metal thing staring back at you. I would do your own oil change next time so that you will know it is right.

[garr2]

Is there any oil leaking or weeping from around the perimeter on the sight glass (which is actually plastic by the way)?
Have a close look and if you can see some leakage/seepage it may be the sight glass about to give way.
What you are checking for I suppose is whether the black oil is on the inside of the of the sight glass or the outside.
Chances are it's on the inside and Buckster is on the money.

Incidentally, how long ago did you have your oil changed because my oil discolours from its original honey colour to black as I pile on the kilometres?

Ian

[mongoosekiller]

just got 2011 r1200r and got same problem, considering oilchange just to be sure...

[mongoosekiller]

spoke to dealer, there is a bung which takes an allen key, you can drain some oil off to a point where it is showing a level in the sight glass. He also said that this bike uses 1ltr of oil per thousand miles!

[soggybottom]

Checking oil level on a boxer is a pain, it must be hot, when you pull into your garage don't shut down the motor, leave it running until you get it on the side stand then lift it onto the center stand, then shut it down. go have a beer and return 15 minutes later and check. if you were to run the motor for a few minutes and try to get a good check most likely some oil will sit in the oil cooler and give the appearance of low oil. The engine must be hot for the oil cooler check valve to open and drain the oil back into the engine. Many add oil at this point and complain that its smoking and burning oil, its from over filling. If it is total black it is slightly over filled, I think it may call for 3.9 quarts and most people just pour in 4 quarts, not to worry.

The motorcycle industry standard is 1 qt per thousand miles is normal but we all know this is not good. Many boxer owners say the motor quits using oil at 8000 to sometimes 15,000 miles or more when it is finally broken in.