How Much Oil is TOO Much in a 900??

[Vandy]

Originally Posted by MINI NSX

Use a mirror, that's what I do.

Very good idea...

[whoaru99]

Originally Posted by gte

Checking the oil level on the Vulcan is a pain and is the one design flaw that really bugs me. It has to be exactly level or the reading is inaccurate and it's almost a 2-person job unless you have a stand.

It doesn't have to be exactly level. Anywhere in the sightglass range is fine.

I specifically don't fill mine to the top of the sight glass because then you don't really know how much is in there. I shoot for 1/2 way up in the glass. That way if the bike isn't exactly level you still have a pretty good idea of how much is in there.

[DoubleTap]

Oh boy, I think i need to pull some oil out of mine. Just did my 1st oil change. (screw the dealer) I put a gallon of Rotella T6 in it with a new Fram filter. Think I will pull it back to 3/4 of the sight window.

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by DoubleTap

Oh boy, I think i need to pull some oil out of mine. Just did my 1st oil change. (screw the dealer) I put a gallon of Rotella T6 in it with a new Fram filter. Think I will pull it back to 3/4 of the sight window.

To think a dealer or a professional shop would not make mistakes, especially when most are hiring young kids to do the routine tasks like oil change, would be naive.

I bought a 2008 V-Strom with 4300 miles couple of months back and it had the 4000 mile service done by the Suzuki dealer. I am looking at the receipt/work order and the oil window and the entire window is full! The oil was covering the entire window! Like this one:


I ended up test riding it that way but when I got it home, I ended up draining over half a quart of oil to make it come down to "full" line. Running the bike a little over the "low" line is way better than running it a little over "full" line, imho.

I use a rear wheel stand ($25-$50) to level the bike and also make it easier.
I initially put just 3 quarts. Let the bike run for 3-5 minutes in gear on the rear stand or ride it around for a few minutes. Then shut it off, wait like 30 minutes or so, then check the oil level again.
Bike has to be leveled on both coordinates and handlebar straight. Besides leveling the bike sideways, it also cannot be on a uphill/downhill type surface.

I typically end up putting 3.5 quarts with a new filter.

[Boomer914]

Originally Posted by Chas63

My 2005 Harley EGC has a dipstick to check the oil level. I've had numerous other Harleys that also had dipsticks. Can't recall one that had a sightglass to check the oil level.

I ment all other bikes with a sight glass.

Sent from my EVO using Motorcycle.com Free App

[siriusjoe]

Originally Posted by AZPoseur

Mine was at least at the top of the sight glass when I got it.

It's not supposed to be at the top of the glass, it should be about half way between the 2 marks.

Originally Posted by AZPoseur

My owner's manual does not say 3.4 quarts, it says 3.9, which is 3.7 liters.

Read your manual again. 3.9 quarts is only correct when the engine has been torn down for a rebuild and it is bone dry.

The proper amount for a normal oil+filter change is 3.4 quarts, as I posted before. If you're putting in 3.9 quarts, you're using too much.

[Sojourner]

Originally Posted by siriusjoe

It's not supposed to be at the top of the glass, it should be about half way between the 2 marks.



Read your manual again. 3.9 quarts is only correct when the engine has been torn down for a rebuild and it is bone dry.

The proper amount for a normal oil+filter change is 3.4 quarts, as I posted before. If you're putting in 3.9 quarts, you're using too much.

Huh, my owner's manual says 3.9 quarts and doesn't qualify it one way or the other. I've got a '10.

[siriusjoe]

Originally Posted by Sojourner

Huh, my owner's manual says 3.9 quarts and doesn't qualify it one way or the other. I've got a '10.

Here's a screen shot from the 2007 VN900 Classic manual downloaded from Kawasaki's web site. 3.2 quarts if you don't change the filter, 3.4 quarts if you do change the filter, and 3.9 quarts if the engine is dry.

This info is also stamped on the engine itself, near the oil filler hole, or at least it was on my '07.

[siriusjoe]

I just checked the 2010 Classic LT manual and the oil change info is exactly the same as what I posted above, but it's on page 99 instead of page 87.

[markstep]

Originally Posted by DoubleTap

Oh boy, I think i need to pull some oil out of mine. Just did my 1st oil change. (screw the dealer) I put a gallon of Rotella T6 in it with a new Fram filter. Think I will pull it back to 3/4 of the sight window.

Just for FYI, there are many threads that eccomend against Fram filters