Bike laid down, oil light stays on

[00sanchez]

So, why not add another nightmare situation to owning this bike. Good news is, the shop is redoing the oil seal on the left fork for free. Anyway, so since there is only a slight leak, I decided to take my daughter to a buddy's house to drop off a game I borrowed. Long story short, we get back to the house, and as I'm putting the kickstand down, she hops off the bike, causing a lot of weight to be shifted to the left side. I wasn't ready for this, and the bike slowly dropped. The bike shut off after about a second or two of being down. I rushed over and picked it up. She freaked out, so I said it was fine and we went inside. I wanted to let all the fluids to go back to where they should be if they went anywhere. Fastforward about 4 hours, I go back out to assess the damage. I saw only a small, 3" diameter, puddle of what looks like oil where the bike was laid down. There are a few scratches on the transmission case, but the shift lever was untouched. That's about it. The problem now, is when I turned the bike on to put it in the garage, I wasn't paying attention, drove it a few feet and noticed the oil light was still on. I shut it down and checked the oil. The oil is about halfway between topped off and low. When I checked the oil about a week ago, it was at the full position -- about a hair above, really. I didn't notice any new sounds coming from the engine either.

So, I'm at your mercy again, GStwinners.

On a positive note, I passed the skills test and only lost 3 pts on the emergency stop. I didn't want to dive hard, so I laid off the front brakes due to the fork issue. Also, I seem to have solved the first gear power band inconsistency by richening up the mixture screw a half turn. 2 steps forward, one step back. I'm starting to think the universe just doesn't want me riding a motorcycle. Last time I owned one a few years ago, I ended up selling at a loss due to it having starting issues. I'm trying my best to stick it out with this one.

[adidasguy]

Recheck the oil. Remember to check oil with bike level - not on the side stand.
Also you check oil by dropping the dip stick in then taking it out. You don't screw it in to check the oil level. If you did that, and it is half full then really you are low on oil.

[00sanchez]

I checked the oil again, and it still at the halfway point. Would a laydown with only a tiny puddle really cause the oil light to be on like that? How long should I let it run after I put the oil in to see if the light goes off? Thanks, Adidas.

[sledge]

A bubble of air might have been trapped in the oil gallery behind the switch when it was lifted upright. Unscrew the switch, let it bleed oil from the gallery for a few seconds then tighten it back up and see what happens.

[00sanchez]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm not sure where the switch is. I'm still new to bike engines. I'm assuming it's one of the wires that goes in through the left side of the crank case near the carbs?

[Twisted]

Could just be a pinched wire shorting out from the fall.

[00sanchez]

Well, I tried unscrewing a wire that screws into the left crank case above the shift lever. I couldn't get it out all the way because is being pushed down pretty hard from under the gas tank. I just put it back in and locked the nut down. Is there a certain depth this thing should be at? I just put it back down to where it looked close to what it did before. I'll check for any pinched wires.

Is it possible that there's air in the oil pump -- even though the pump is on the side of the lay down? I'm a bit worried to cycle the oil through by turning on the engine.

[mister]

Sanchez: This comment is note about your oil light problem but something else I noticed and am concerned about...

- You have only JUST passed your skills test
- you had a pillion on the back
- you tried to put the sidestand down while the pillion was still on the bike.

Clearly you have no real experience with a pillion otherwise you would not have tried to put the side stand down while the pillion was still on the bike; you would have instructed the pillion about the correct time to get off/on the bike. And with only just now passing your skills test what makes you think you are now skilled enough to ride with someone else on the back?

I am also concerned with the "rushed over and picked it up". Where were you to be rushing over to it to pick it up? Why weren't you still sitting on the bike?

For your pillions sake, please do not take anyone else on the bike with you until YOU have more experience riding. And don't EVER again take another person on a bike with a leaking shock. You want to risk yourself fine, but risking harm to another person is not on. Nor is it responsible riding.

Michael

[00sanchez]

Mister, while I appreciate the advice, you're a bit insulting in presenting it. As I've mentioned before, this is not my first bike, nor is it my first endorsement. The leaky seal is on the opposite side of the rotor, and it is a slowish leak. There is no dripping while riding. The dive in the forks is slightly worse than they are originally. I was told by the dealership that riding on a fork with that type of leak is just fine, so I have had no other competing advice. And I am usually inclined to take the advice of mechanics and experienced riders when it is given.

Now, I see no reason why the sidestand should not be down when leaving the bike -- myself or the passenger. It gives more stability and avoids the passenger pulling the bike with the opposite leg due to snags. I would imagine it would be a bad idea not to have the stand down when getting off a bike, but, if I'm wrong about this, I'm wrong. I just don't see how it would logically coincide with reality. I've been told this is proper procedure by multiple people, and I've seen nothing but this being done. You should concede the opportunity to chastise until you know the facts of the situation or the actual knowledge of the one you're accusing of being willfully ignorant.

Before riding with any passenger, I instruct them on how to ride the bike with me and when to get off. My daughter was very excited as I've never let her on the bike with me before. She was too young the last time I rode. She hopped off the bike to tell my wife (as she said after we went inside as she still felt very guilty).

As for "rushing...", the passenger was off the bike already. If you recall, I had said she got off before I was ready for her to, put too much weight on the left side, and pulled the bike down as she was getting off. I was still straddling the bike. When the bike fell, and it was passed the point to where I could save it, I hopped to the side in order to avoid getting my leg pinned under a hot engine. After the bike fell, I was a good 5 ft. away from the bike; hence, I rushed over and picked it up.

[Big Rich]

Well, I tried unscrewing a wire that screws into the left crank case above the shift lever. I couldn't get it out all the way because is being pushed down pretty hard from under the gas tank. I just put it back in and locked the nut down. Is there a certain depth this thing should be at? I just put it back down to where it looked close to what it did before. I'll check for any pinched wires.

Is it possible that there's air in the oil pump -- even though the pump is on the side of the lay down? I'm a bit worried to cycle the oil through by turning on the engine.

The oil pressure switch is on the right side of the motor. The oil pump is on the bottom of the motor, almost directly above the drain plug.

[Funderb]

Thats unfortunate. I think it was a collaborative effort that dropped the bike. Good thing you
dont have a bunch of dumb plastic fairings! 

My girl friend rides with me often on the bike, because I hate driving my car, and I find the best protocol is to stop,
put the side stand down, and instruct her to get off the left side. this way, even if the old leg blows out, the ss is there to catch me.

in your case, a combination of being new to the bike and sudden movement by the passenger put you past your limit, and it fell. woopdee doo. it happens. I've dropped my bike, you've dropped your bike, the next guy has dropped his bike!  We learn from these things.


As for the oil light, you likely got some air or debris in the sensor, but i wouldn't drive it until you can verify. It could be debris in the pump, which is bad.

[00sanchez]

Thanks, guys. I'll go check the sensor now. I'm crossing my fingers here.

[00sanchez]

Ok, I still can't find this mythical oil pressure switch. I saw one wire going under the crank case on the right side, but I assume that's the startor wiring. The only other thing I see is a roughly 3/4" bolt screwed into a cylindrical opening standing around 1" or so from the case under the carb on the right side. I feel like I'm missing something here. I can't find this thing in the clymer manual either.

[adidasguy]

The oil pressure switch is on the right side of the motor. The oil pump is on the bottom of the motor, almost directly above the drain plug.

Oil sump filter is on the bottom as you mention.
The actual oil pump is located behind the clutch. You must remove the clutch to remove the oil pump.
Check the oil sump filter for debris. If it is clogged, you can have low oil pressure. While the bottom oil pan is off, look there for metal crap. If there is any, you cave serious problems (Junior's engine is an example of a SERIOUS problem that went undetected and no one guessed was a problem.)

[adidasguy]

Oil pressure switch is under the right side timing cover. It has a single wire going to it. It looks like a bolt with a wire screwed to the top. You can remove the wire.

If you remove the sensor, all the oil comes out (unless you drained the oil first).

It completes a connection to ground. If wire is shorted to the frame, the oil light comes on. You can check this by turning on the bike and seeing the light is on. Disconnect the wire and the light will go out. If you disconnect the wire and the light stays on, ut is shorted out somewhere. Follow the wire...


You will find it in the ELECTRICAL section of the manuals - not oil & lubrication as one would expect

[00sanchez]

Thanks, adidas. I removed the wire and turned on the bike. There was no light. I unscrewed the bolt like a previous poster had suggested to release air/oil. I unscrewed the bolt and nothing came out... I checked the oil level again (this time in the garage on for sure level ground) and it was at the F mark. I smelled it for gas, but there was nothing... just oil. It was a bit runny as a drip or two came off the stick.

Any other ideas before I drain the system and check the pump? This is something I really want to avoid I assume I also have to drain it to check the pan for bits.

Remember, this was a laydown where the bike was at around 45 degrees from the ground before it was released. I wouldn't think this thing would be that fragile.

[vinny]

My girl friend rides with me often on the bike, because I hate driving my car, and I find the best protocol is to stop,
put the side stand down, and instruct her to get off the left side. this way, even if the old leg blows out, the ss is there to catch me.

Same here, Its the safest way. Sometimes i even lean the bike a touch to the Left before letting the GF get off, makes it easier for her and means the bike is less likely to want to fall to the Right.

Sanchez - Before you start ripping into your engine, try this..

Put it on level ground and get on, with both feet on the floor (Assuming you can touch the floor)
Give it a hard shake left and right. Careful - dont drop it!!!
Start it up, same problem?
If problem is still there, shake it hard while its idling.
Problem still there? STOP & TURN IT OFF.

Also, check all the wiring for the oil light. You'll be pissed if you rip the oil pump out and it turn out to be a connection shaken loose or wire broken..

If that doesnt work, then get a hammer... 

[adidasguy]

You ruled out the wire shorted to the frame.
I haven't removed the oil sensor in a bile with oil. I would have expected oil to come out. Probably only when engine running as that would have to be under pressure.
At the moment I am unsure other than a bad sensor.
If the sensor is out and you press the starter, the oil pump should squirt oil out of the sensor hole. The top end should be well lubricated if you take the valve cover off. If all that is good, then maybe it is the sensor.
Time for an engine expert extraordinaire to chime in.

[00sanchez]

Thanks for the suggestions again, guys. I'll go crank the engine and hope some oil spurts out of the sensor hole and it's just an air bubble messing with the sensor. My daughter just got home from school and still feels really bad. I just told her it was my fault and not to worry. I have a feeling she's going to be this way until I get it running. Poor girl

[sledge]

Leave the switch out and crank it over a few times until oil starts to flow out of the hole. Lift both the plug caps off before cranking it over, you DONT want the engine to catch.