Checking oil

[bentrider]

The owner's manual says to check oil level with motorcycle held upright but not on centerstand.  Sounds like a two man job, Whatdo others do? Thanks.

[hmmmnz]

lol. just hold the bike upright with one hand and unscrew the dip stick, wipe it on your trousers and the dip it back in screw it all the way back down then undo it and check it, easy peezy.
get out there and do it

[che mike]

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=11547.msg96564#msg96564

not too much difference between the oil level read while on the centerstand and while upright, not on the stand. i just do it on the centerstand for convenience.

[RedShift]

With the bike on the centerstand there will be a small tilt to the front that would suggest more oil than is really available for the pump.  But I agree with Che Mike that the difference is not enough to be concerned about -- so long as you're showing well up on the mark.

I sit on the bike (before starting), lean over the right side of the tank, unscrew the fill cap, wipe the stick with a rag (thus saving myself from a trouser laundry problem), drop the dipstick in the whole and pick it up for the measurement.  Re-tighten the dipstick completely afterwards and you're done.

Sitting on the bike stablized it.  Your legs have the strongest muscles and bones.  Holding the bike upright by the handlebars can lead to embarrasing moments if she leans away from you. 

If vertically challenged, I'd still use the centerstand.

[scottpA_GS]

But I agree with Che Mike that , unscrew the fill cap, wipe the stick with a rag (thus saving myself from a trouser laundry problem), drop the dipstick in the whole and pick it up for the measurement.  Re-tighten the dipstick completely afterwards and you're done.

Arent you supposed to screw it back in, then out to get the measurement ?

[RedShift]

Great Question. 

Both the Clymer Manual (page 66) and my MOM say you DO NOT SCREW IN the dipstick.  It rests on the threads.

Seems a bit odd until you think about it. You screw it in because you don't want to let the Oil out, but it's easier to just rest it on top to take the measurement.  Another "well thought out design moment" by some design engineer somewhere.