I messed up, need advice

smp · July 04, 2003, 02:31:47 PM

I was supposed to leave for BC about 5 hours ago, from Toronto Canada to Vancouver on my GS.
Well, I changed teh oil last night in preparation for the trip.. for some reason, I didn't secure the dipstick cap.
I rode it today, about 5km with the dipstick not secured and lost about half my oil!!!
When I noticed, I was at my friend's house and I checked the oil.. nothing on the dipstick, DRY.
I quickly went home (not on teh bike, in friend's car) picked up more oil and topped it off. It took two bottles (2 litres, 2 quarts) to top it off.
Nothing was burning, no burning smell.
The bike runs FINE.
BUT .. when I'm at a complete stop, I can't shift it out of first.
I can shift it out of first, into neutral when I'm crawling or if I rev the bike, but not on idle at a standstill.
The bike shifts fine otherwise, I notice nothing different riding it, just this weird standing still, refusing to leave first crap.
Please advise, did I ruin my clutch/tranny/bike/life?
I'm scared to take it on my trip now, fearing that it might break down on me part way and demand a rebuild, which I won't be able to afford.
GS wrencher gods, please help!

yes, I know, I'm a complete tool, and I'm still kicking myself in the nuts. It's hard work though.

Von Vester · July 04, 2003, 06:07:13 PM

A quart in the engine is still enough for the engine to run satisfactorily. If the oil light didn't come on then there was adaquate pressure to lubricate the engine bearings. The oil runs hotter when it is that low but still lubricates fine. I would not worry about the engine.

I don't have a lot of experience with wet clutches so I can't say what damage might have occured there. Sorry, no advice in this area. Perhaps one of the more experienced motorcycle mechanics on this forum can help there.

Blueknyt · July 04, 2003, 07:57:55 PM

try readjusting your clutch cable, this may intail backing off the adjustments on both ends and then the adjustment thats under the little cover inside the sprocket over, look in your book for those instructions.

smp · July 04, 2003, 08:05:23 PM

Okay.. I changed the oil again.
The 1st to neutral problem seems to have gone away, it goes EASY!
Everything runs fine.
I stripped one of those blasted bolts though, the oil filter cover ones. I replaced it and now I'm leaking just a wee bit.
I forgot to put a washer on the new bolt, so I just did that and tightened everything up a bit more. The bike is idling in the garage and I'm hoping to see no more oil out of it.
wish me luck.
I'm supposed to leave for BC tomorrow!

Well, I was supposed to leave days ago, but that's another story.

KevinC · July 04, 2003, 08:22:08 PM

Glad the oil change fixed it. I was a bit of a loss to figure out how low oil would affect the shifting after 5 km. Did you fill it with a different brand or weight of oil? Sometimes heavy oil will cause the clutch to drag a bit, making shifting hard when stopped.

Have a good trip! That's a long ride on a GS, although I did it several times on my old Norton. I'm off to Dawson City, Yukon soon, but I'm taking my Beemer!

If you need GS assistance near Calgary, 403-274-7056.

I highly recommend that you tour the Kootneys (Creston, Kaslo, Nelson, Farquier ferry, Cherryville, Lumby, Vernon) on one leg. Beautiful motorcycle roads, not as much traffic, and great scenery. The Fraser Canyon (old #1) is interesting too, and not near so crowded these days.

Jared · July 04, 2003, 09:41:27 PM

You may have just overfilled it with oil initially. If I'm not mistaken that could produce the problem you had at a standstill and trying to shift.

When you changed the oil again you probably just got the oil level correct.

I could be wrong.....?

smp · July 04, 2003, 10:13:42 PM

Thanks guys... Kevin, don't be surprised if you hear from me within the week

...and super thanks for hooking me up with your contact, I much appreciate it man!
Jared, you may be right about the oil level thing, but I could swear I didn't overfill it earlier... maybe though.
It works great now in any case.
phew

If all goes well I'll be on my way in about 8 hours.
Take care all.
Ride safe.

yamahonkawazuki · July 04, 2003, 10:17:09 PM

your's is doing the same thing that frankenbike is doing. mine wont go out of 1st into n, while running. but can go from 2 into n, but that is difficult to hit. all i believe ive got to do is to adjust clutck. cause my tranny works great, so does clutch the rest of the time.

Michael · July 05, 2003, 06:31:09 AM

The other thing I've noticed mine does is it gets hard to find neutral when the chain needs adjusting. Something else to check.

The Buddha · July 08, 2003, 08:35:24 AM

How did you lose oil by not tightening the dip stick but not lose the dipstick itself...
Cool.
Srinath.

powrful1 · July 08, 2003, 09:53:45 AM

well the dipstick as long rod....with weight...according to Physics bodies at rest tend to stay at....

He was lucky!

The Buddha · July 08, 2003, 10:35:49 AM

OK That made no sense...besides if 2 quarts of oil are flying out the top right side of your motor wouldn't your right leg get soaked with hot oil...I lost barely a quart when my pressure guage let go and that was fitted to the front bottom right side and my foot+pants were soaking wet...I pulled over from my foot sliding off the pegs.
Cool.
Srinath.

miket · July 08, 2003, 02:24:52 PM

I agree with Srinath. I rode with my dipstick unscrewed one time too and lost no oil at all. Are you sure you didn't check the oil level while on the side stand the second time? (been there done that too)

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I messed up, need advice