Oil Change questions

[Will]

I"ve had my 2002 R1150R since April now and thought I'd ease into wrenching with an oil change - I read up all I could find, got the oil filter wrench and some good oil. Unscrewing the drain plug I carefully looked for the crush washer - but there wasn't one, neither on the plug nor left behind at the hole. This bike did not leak a bit of oil. What gives? then I was pretty careful to fill it with 3.75 quarts as called for, including what I poured into the filter. But I didn't see a bit of oil in the sight glass (on the center stand). So I gave it another 1/3 cup or so, and saw it about 1/3 up in the glass. Took it for a ride, checked for leaks (none) but noticed as I parked on the side stand that the oil basically filled the glass. Do I need to pull a little oil out of there? Don't wanna be popping any seals on my baby.
thx - -will

[towerworker]

The only way to accurately check the oil level is on the center stand and on level ground. It will pretty much always fill the sight glass if checked on the side stand as the oil will "pool" to that side of the engine. If you filled the motor as you said I wouldn't worry. Run it for a week or so and check it after a good ride. Make sure you ride it enough to where the engine is fully warmed up. Put it on the center stand and go eat dinner. Let it sit for a couple hours. Look at the sight glass. The center red dot is good. A bit below or above is ok. At the top is not so good. I'm surprised there was no crush washer and really surprised there was no leak without it. I would recommend a crush washer on the next oil change.

[MarkShelley]

The above post misses out an important bit.
After a run you should leave the bike on its side stand for 5 minutes so the oil in the cooler drains into the sump. You then put the bike on the main stand on level ground to check the oil.
If you don`t leave it on the side stand for a while first you will get a false (low) reading.

[SteveJJ]

"If you don`t leave it on the side stand for a while first you will get a false (low) reading."

Really? Dang! That's how I've been tricked into going too high on the glass. Now I'll leave it on the side stand, check the mailbox, hang my jacket gloves and helmet, THEN pop it onto the center stand.

How many ounces from center spot to the top of the glass? The manual could have better info, glad I know of this site!

[BruceinLA]

Will, You did the oil change right, but left out 8 ounces of needed oil. After you added some more you are now closer to the correct 4 quarts needed with a filter change (Maintenance Instructions book page 74) refill takes 4 Quarts with filter or 3.75 Liters, that could be the confusion.

I read and re-read the riders manual pages 22/23 on checking the oil level .... no where does it mention putting the bike on the side stand first.

It says make sure you wait 5 minutes on a hot engine and make sure the bike is upright on level/firm surface.

I pull in the garage and keep the bike upright while i dismount, put it on the center stand for the night.

The next morning I take a peek at the sight glass.. it is right on the dot for at least 500 miles after an oil change.

With a fresh oil and filter change (done after the bike sits on the side stand 10 minutes to drain the oil coolers) and exactly 4 quarts of new oil the
level is exactly in the middle of the sight glass with the procedure outlined above.

The oil level difference between the top and bottom of the sight glass is .53 Qt, or from the bottom of the sight glass it takes 16 oz to put it in the center.

[towerworker]

The above post misses out an important bit.
After a run you should leave the bike on its side stand for 5 minutes so the oil in the cooler drains into the sump. You then put the bike on the main stand on level ground to check the oil.
If you don`t leave it on the side stand for a while first you will get a false (low) reading.

I've been riding R's for 10 years now. Never heard that before, neither here on this forum or anywhere else. I'll readily admit I'm not the expert. Cyclerob is though. I do know that after the engine reached operating temps the thermostat in the oil cooling system opens and allows oil thru the tankside coolers. To my knowledge they would both drain into the crankcase regardless of sitting on side or centerstand. They will not drain if the engine is not fully warmed up.

I do not put a full 4 quarts of oil in my bike. More like 3.75 qts. I run it several hundred miles, put it on centerstand, let it sit and then check it. If it needs a little bit to bring it up to the center dot......then I'll add some. Only a few ounces at a time.

[mnnden]

The above post misses out an important bit.
After a run you should leave the bike on its side stand for 5 minutes so the oil in the cooler drains into the sump. You then put the bike on the main stand on level ground to check the oil.
If you don`t leave it on the side stand for a while first you will get a false (low) reading.

Yes, That is the dance, 10/15 minutes side stand then up on the centre, considered by many (Most) the only way to check oil on an Oil head, although I am not sure, I think it may be printed in the manual, jmop

[gregor]

Cycle Rob's advice is the first time I've read it. Will try that next time.
The BMW and Haynes manual just talk about using the centre stand. Never have any idea if the engine is hot enough to open the oil cooler thermostat- my oil changes tend to be done in the English autumn.
Definitely agree that the oil disappears faster if you try to top it up above the centre dot. Usually carry some oil on long trips just in case I get stuck in Applecross or other remote Scottish parts..

[MarkShelley]

My post above is how it was recommended to me on the ukgser forum when I got my 1100GS about 5 years ago and it has always given the most consistent readings. I found that just chucking it straight on the centre stand gave fluctuating readings. Give it a try both ways and make your own mind up.

[Biff's R]

If I see oil in the sight glass I get on hte bike and turn the ignition and go for a ride. If I don't I add some.