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Oil Sight Glass Rotated

5K views 35 replies 14 participants last post by  bikertucker 
#1 · (Edited)
First time I checked oil on my T-120, noticed the oil sight glass markings on the engine were not horizontal. Markings were rotated 10 to 15 deg. clockwise. A bit odd since everything else on the bike is perfect. Notified the service manager of this when I made an appointment for 500 mile service. When I arrived for 500 mile service and reminded the service manager about this little item. Both the service manager and mechanic servicing my bike tried to insist I was mistaken, before they even looked at it. When I said it was important for me to know proper oil level, both became angry??? It was determined they could not repair it and item was turned over to Triumph as a warranty item. After servicing the service manager demonstrated to me how to check the oil. Was shown if oil level came up to the top of left indicator, oil level was correct. When I asked what is my minimal level marking, the anger thing started up again. I told him when I got home I would put the bike on my lift and paint or scribe correct markings. This also made him angry. Stated he could not recommend me performing an unauthorized mod on the bike. The oil level indicator looks to be a separate part from the engine, not molded in the lower casting as in all other engine sight glass windows I've had. To me it looks like it was installed crooked. Has anyone else noticed the little issue with your T-120's? If so, how did your dealer Service department respond.
 
#2 ·
Sorry, which SC dealer was this? :confused:

Maybe try Batesburg...
 
#4 · (Edited)
Filled out a survey for Triumph asking about my Triumph satisfaction. Told them it was a wonderful bike, but also told them about the oil sight glass being unusable for checking engine oil level. That it had been turned in as a warranty issue but no feed back since. This afternoon I got a call from the dealership salesman. Told me the rotated oil marker over the sight glass was not an issue, and nothing they could do about it. My response was, it's like having a dip stick with out any markings on it. It can't be used for much. The salesman then stated the oil level marking cap is put on with a special tool, and where ever it ends up, thats it. I told him I had enjoyed working with him, but could not believe not being able to check engine oil level with any degree of accuracy was not an issue with them. Also told him it's enough of an issue with me that I did paint the correct marking levels on the rotated cap. It now functions as the instructions and photo in the owners manual indicate. Also let him know with the anger issues it seems that they have in the shop, I would not be back. So, guess I'm taking the time to post this in case anyone else has this issue. If you do and it gets fixed, please let me know. I get the feeling they may not have really turned it in as a warranty issue. Any way I can check?
Also the dealership was Touring Sport in Greenville S.C. Im now posting the name of the dealer so others in the area know of my experience. I did not in any way behave in a fashion that warranted the anger issues from the manager, service manager, and mechanic. I care about my bike, just expected them too also.

Take Care


Tim
 
#6 ·
It now functions as the instructions and photo in the owners manual indicate. Also let him know with the anger issues it seems that they have in the shop, I would not be back. So, guess I'm taking the time to post this in case anyone else has this issue. If you do and it gets fixed, please let me know. I get the feeling they may not have really turned it in as a warranty issue. Any way I can check?
Just curious. Are there any corresponding hi/lo marks on the engine case? Older Bonnevilles have those.
 
#7 ·
Son had a couple of resale bikes serviced there. Work was OK and recalls handled. Took his own K1100LT for fork seals and they royally messed up. Came and got the bike..., but... And he's in the trade. Doubt he'll be back...
 
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#8 ·
I understand, wanted it to be a great place too. You are correct in thinking of the oil level indicators being part of the lower casting next to the window. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and 2007 Triumph America I've owned were all that way. On the new T-120 the window of course is in the lower casting, the oil level indicators are not. Looks to be a separate cap. Thats what is rotated on mine.
 
#10 ·
I understand, wanted it to be a great place too.
Syme will have to fill in the background. Never did business with Dr. Jack Frasher but he used to have a good reputation nationally. IIRC at one time he had a dealership up in Asheville too.

Assume he got older and is no longer actively involved. It happens. "When the cat's away..., etc."
 
#16 · (Edited)
I was intrigued by this as on the air cooled bikes the glass itself can be at any degree of rotation and the level is marked by cast marks on the crankcase.




On the water cooled ones there are no marks on the cases, only on the glass fitting itself so it's important that it is fitted correctly on initial assembly. I feel the OP is justifiably annoyed by this oversight and the dealer ought to fix it:

 
#14 · (Edited)
You should definitely post a photo, but I can't see how it would affect your ability to check your oil level.

It would definitely be helpful if the photo was taken with the bike upright (e.g. on centre stand), and the oil warm (by running the engine for 3 minutes, then leaving it to settle for 3 minutse), so that it's visible in the sight glass.
 
#20 ·
Funny how it varies how we think of our motorcycles. I tend towards being detailed oriented, using a torque wrench on every bolt, worrying a bit too much about which oil to use and is the filter optimal and the level perfect and the air at the exact pressure and on-and-on.

Then I remind myself that guys ride over the Himalayas on Enfields held together with baling wire and twine. And our motors are closer to tractor engines than Ferrari engines. And I try to chill myself out a bit.

But, inevitably, I will have a discussion with my Dad again about if I should change the oil in the spring or fall that will last much longer than it needs to. I know, Fall, but dwelling on stuff isn't always avoidable.
 
#35 ·
We tend to worry about too many small things with bikes and that's just how motorcycle people are built. I'm sure most of us could give a rat dodo about the car or truck.
I am militant about keeping my motorcycle oil level precisely in the center between the high and low markers. On my cars I am militant about keeping the oil exactly at the full level mark on the dipstick. If it gets to the middle I rush to top it off.

I makes no sense. I know that. All the same, I won't change regardless of any logical comments, it's just how I'm wired. It's an odd thing :eek:
 
#26 ·
Those markings mean nothing. I only look at the glass on this type system. I keep it at least above the half way mark on that glass.

I find on most bikes half way down the glass is about 1/4 to 1/3 of a quart or more. You get to the bottom and that is 1/2 to 3/4 a quart down or more.

Those markings are a little lame to me and useless. Just top it off if it goes below the middle of the sight glass.

So if the OP markings are rotated it really does not matter, just go off the sight glass itself, and use the half way down the glass as the top off point. I leave a small bubble at the very top of the sight glass with all my bikes.

I still want to see a picture from the OP's sight glass situation, not that it matters a hell of beans but I want to see a picture of what he's talking about. I really don't believe they installed the sight glass 90 degrees out of whack. But then these things are made in Thailand by uneducated people who left the stone age 20 years ago.
 
#27 ·
Looks like he could paint the original marks black and add white ones in the proper location to make it look correct...if the only way it can can be truly repaired is for a new case half, I think I would skip it, I don't want somebody taking my perfectly good engine apart...no big deal....I'm with you guys, half way up the glass your fine..
 
#28 ·
Apologies for not responding on my own post. Thanks Forchetto for the photo's, and picture from the owners manual. A more correct name of the post may have been oil level markings rotated. Of course the window is just blank glass. Rotation of the oil marks at least 15 degrees CW, puts the left side of the markers too high. The right side too low. I tend to own bikes for decades so I tend to be somewhat precise. The dealership is giving the appearance of trying. After I responded to the Triumph survey the dealer general manager called to ask what the problem was. On friday 09/23/2016 the general manager called me back saying they had just opened a warranty claim on the rotated markings. Was told at the time of the service on 08/25/2016 that had already been done. As posted earlier it looks like the markings are on a separate round plate. So splitting the engine not needed. I tend to believe if I had any kind of engine problem Triumph would then be very concerned with me keeping oil at proper level, and not just approximate.

Thanks

Tim
 
#31 ·
Warranty work is always the hardest to get. I'd be annoyed too if that was my brand new bike.

Then again fixing it may cause other problems depending if the mechanic found his wife with the milkman that day.

At least it's only aesthetic.

Last time I had warranty work my truck came back missing pieces.

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk
 
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#33 ·
Overall Triumph does make a solid machine for the most part. Time will tell on these liquid coolers if they have any head gasket, or internals problems but most of the time their bikes run on for thousands of miles trouble free. I'd even go so far as to say a layperson as yourself could even do valve adjustments as it is now a single cam and much less complicated.
 
#34 · (Edited)
Being only a layperson I could never hope to have the skills, talent, abilities, or intellect for other than the most simple of tasks. Gas in the tank, lets see, which button starts this thing. Valve adjustment? NEVER. But maybe I can change the oil now that I know where the F- ing full mark is. :wink2:
 
#36 ·
Not militant about it, and knowing oil level is not an aesthetic issue. Dare I say it's not the same as deciding if I want a skull or naked lady on the gas tank. I'm taking down names of all who are ( All is ok, give or take a quart) When it comes time to buy used bikes, I'm staying away from you guys. Next issue. Dip sticks with no oil level markings, and their accuracy.
 
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