Triumphrat

metasac

let me start off by reiterating that i've read all previous posts on the matter and have come to no coherent conclusion on how much oil should be visible in the sight glass at any given time.

i can't tell you how much this freaks me out, annoys me, and makes me paranoid, makes me wish for a dipstick, etc.

for such a simple matter that should have a simple protocol associated with it, everyone seems to be doing their own thing and, no doubt, some are suffering damage to their bikes that they are not yet aware of.

when checking the oil level, the haynes manual talks both about a "pre-ride check" (when the bike is cold) and checking the sight glass ten minutes after shutting off the engine (when it's still warm).

i guess i have settled on checking the sight glass when the bike is warm because this somehow makes more sense to me.

that being said - i seem to get WILDLY different readings at these two temperatures due to thermal expansion (i guess):

OPTION 1
if you fill the crankcase with oil to where the sight glass is half full when the bike is WARM, it will look almost EMPTY when it's COLD.

OPTION 2
if you fill the crankcase with oil to where the sight glass is half full when the bike is COLD, it will look overfilled - ie, not so much as a bubble in the sight glass, when it's WARM.

where do people stand on this matter? option 1 or 2? or is there a third approach that i'm not thinking of?

i'm currently leaning towards option 1; but i'm in toronto facing a 500 mile return trip to nyc in a few days. i know that i'll be freaking out the whole way worrying about whether or not i have enough oil in the bike and knowing that there is no clear answer on the market.

i welcome and dread your responses.

~m

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2005 Triumph Bonneville T-100
pretty much stock to the bone, 'cept for some af turn signals... so far.

Baltobonneville

Stop worrying. If you can see the oil level in the sight glass, it's alright. It's probably better to err on the slightly low side if you have doubts.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Unifilter, no snorkel, 118/40/Thrux needle/1 shim/3 turns, tachometer, Ikon 7610s in back, Ricor Intiminators in front, Pirelli Sport Demons, D9 gauge panel.

ohiorider

+1 Marty. My Oilhead Beemers carried 4 quarts US oil, if filled to the top of the sight glass. If near the bottom of the sight glass, the engine was down on oil by one pint, which left the engine with nearly 90% of the oil called for. BMW also had a mark printed on the sight glass near the top and near the bottom of the glass that were the 'max' and 'min' levels.

I don't worry if the level is slightly toward the botom of the glass, but really panic if all I can see is a sight glass completely covered with oil.

Bob

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03 T100 Lucifer Org and Silv: 122/42 jets, TORs, 18T, UNI filter, no AI, Polaris bellmouth, Metz 880 tires, Prog. 440 shocks (105/150 springs), 11-1124 fork springs, Thrux fork caps, gaiters, MotoTwin low bars, 6024 lamp, htd grips, 12v outlet.

metasac

thanks - you guys are confirming my thoughts - i err on the side of low. i figure a full sight glass is worse than one that appears a little low.

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2005 Triumph Bonneville T-100
pretty much stock to the bone, 'cept for some af turn signals... so far.

truax

My method, put bike on jack stand fill to top of two markings (it will be reading a little higher than it really is.

Fire her up. Ride for ten minutes. Retest (not on jackstand or kickstand). You will find the level is now perfect.

But the best advice has already been given, don't obsess about it. If the oil is in the range in between the two marks-- you more than good to go.

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Truax
2007 Bonneville: bar end mirrors, Renntec Engine Guard, MCR Luggage Brackets & Seat Rack, Cortech Saddlebags, GenMar Handlebar Risers, National Cycle Windshield, Hutchinson Custom Brackets, Ikon shocks, Hagon progressive fork springs.

2522

It does take a while for the oil to drain down into the crankcase. I just changed my oil. It took about 3.5 Liters of oil to bring the level to between the lines. I then took in for a ride. When I returned I let it sit for about 20 min. and checked. Perfect right between the marks.

As stated earlier, it is better to be a little low than overfilling the crankcase. If you overfill it too much, the excess will be deposited in your air box after shifting at high revs. Makes quite a mess and might ruin your air filter. If the level seems consistently low, top it up a bit.

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Asphalt is My Airbag

modre

the danger of high oil is if the crank throws contact the surface, it froths...then the pump is picking up air and you are down on oil pressure.

when the engine is running it's a foggy mist oil environment in there...you probably have better than a pint low in the sump in perfectly normal conditions... and takes quite a while to all drain back to the sump...so you check it cold...if it's between the lines it's good...beyond that don't obsess.

if you see high oil level smell it for gas.

CAPTDON

++1 on Balto! If the oil is visable on the sight glass- you are ok. Too much is bad!! If its on the glass- its ok.Above the galss- too much! AAH only to have a dipstick again!! A cost saving feature??? The bike holds 4 qts, so on the glass- your in the rite range. God forbid it only had 2 qts- then it would REALLY be a problem!

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CAPT D