Sup ya'll.
Old rider but haven't ridden since 1993 and back then I had an '85 Yamaha Maxum so I'm a bit rusty. I decided to take the responsible route and start small and work my way up.
I just got my bike last Friday evening and I've already post almost 600 miles on her ( which means I need to bring her in for the 600 mile tune-up [ i.e. fancy, expensive oil change ]. I plan on doing all my own oil changes but the first check-up they cover things beyond my expertise.
Strange, I was at the gas station last night and decided to check my oil. It wasn't even registering on the dipstick so I went and got myself a quart of 10W40 (non energy-saving) oil just to throw in because I know in a few days they'll be changing it anyways. Anyhow, I checked it again after letting it run for a few minutes and sit for a few minutes. Still wasn't even showing... so I went and added in another quart. Finally it's now showing on the dipstick.
What's wrong with this picture? Did my dealership really put in that little of oil? It hasn't even been a week yet, surely the oil can't just burn off that fast. Before anyone asks, I've noticed no oil leaks of any sort.
Another point of worry for me is ever since I put in that oil, when I stop at stoplight/stopsign in 1st gear and try to shift up to neutral, it won't go. It won't budge at all. If I kill the engine and let the clutch out past the friction point, I can get it back into neutral. Would this have anything to do with the oil I just added or do you think it's a problem w/ the clutch or with the transmission? Also, I think I have a bit too much slack in my drive chain. That's not a huge deal I realize ( it's not like it's smacking around or anything ) but could that be the issue?
It's a brand new bike with under 600 miles. I'm worried that there's a problem.
Anyhow, just wanted to stop in and say hi and that I'm new to the forum. Look forward to being an active part of this forum.
When you checked the oil did you have the bike up right or was it on the kick stand? If it's on the kick stand no oil will register but if you stand the bike up, oil will show on the dip stick.
LOL that's a good point. Truth be told, I had it on the kickstand... totally forgot about that. :oops:
Okay, so now I probably have TOO much oil in there.... hmm.
I feel like a jackass.
Check the oil when the bike is on the center stand. The GS is known to have issues when comming to a stop and then tring to shift. But I think the extra oil you added is causeing your bike not to shift atm. My bike did it all the time, not as sever as your bike is sounding, I would just rock the bike back and forth and it would shift again.
As for your chain it won't effect your shifting at all. When you take your bike in for the 600 service they will tighten the chain for you. If you worried about it check your owners manual ( it should be under the seat above the tool kit ) it will explain how to check your chain slack.
Welcome to GStwins :thumb:
Yeah.
I'm gonna have to drain some. I don't have the tools handy to do it right now so I guess I know what I'm doing at lunch ugh.
I have to get that oil out pretty fast before I blow something due to the oil pressure being too high.
Well, the title is appropriate now, don't you think? Definitely a FNG mistake. :nono:
Quote from: jgreth on August 23, 2007, 06:51:25 AM
LOL that's a good point. Truth be told, I had it on the kickstand... totally forgot about that. :oops:
Okay, so now I probably have TOO much oil in there.... hmm.
I feel like a jackass.
Don't feel bad, I did the same thing. Then I checked the owners manual and it said to run the bike for two mins, shut it off and let it sit for three mins, and then check the oil with the bike in an upright position.
Yeah.
I went outside on a 'smoke break' ( even tho I don't smoke :P ) and let it run for 5 minutes, let it sit for 3 and checked it the proper way. The oil is measuring OVER the flat measuring part of the stick. ( above the 'F' where the round part begins ).
Question, is this oil level going to damage my engine or do you think it's not too high that I can't just let it burn itself off over the next few days? Should I immediately go out to Wal-Mart, pick up a cheap ratchet set / oil pan and drain some out at lunch today? Last thing I want to do is damage my new bike.
Go to the hardware store, buy 50 cents worth of clear vinyl tubing. Pull over in an auto parts store parking lot, siphon some oil out of the dipstick hole into a soft drink cup. then take the cup in and recycle the oil. Cheap, green, and easy.
Quote from: trumpetguy on August 23, 2007, 09:16:16 AM
Go to the hardware store, buy 50 cents worth of clear vinyl tubing. Pull over in an auto parts store parking lot, siphon some oil out of the dipstick hole into a soft drink cup. then take the cup in and recycle the oil. Cheap, green, and easy.
(http://jeff.lumacs.net/pics/sucky.jpg)
My oil level is perfectly at full now. However, I still can't seem to shift from 1st back to neutral when standing still. :(
To get it into neutral, rock the bike a little back or forward then try it. If that doesn't work, inch forward in gear and try it again. Mine's a 98, but it has that problem (seems worse when it's really hot out). Sometimes it is easier to catch neutral going down from second :cookoo:.
I think when I get home I will siphon out a tad more. The only thing that has changed was the oil level. It started happening 15 minutes after adding the new oil.
Welcome to GSTwins! :cheers: :thumb:
My GS was the opposite: once he got into neutral, he didn't want to get back into first (same as with my SV650S now). The rocking back and forth a little usually worked for me. Sometimes I'll have to actually walk my bike a little forward or backward to get him to slip into gear (and on rare occasions, if I double clutch before shifting, he'll miraculously decide to do the right thing :cookoo:). :icon_mrgreen:
Quote from: jgreth on August 23, 2007, 11:24:50 AMMy oil level is perfectly at full now. However, I still can't seem to shift from 1st back to neutral when standing still. :(
Well, there's your problem. You're supposed to shift with your left foot! :cookoo: :laugh:
Hey there new-again rider.
You oil leve is fairly important for shifting. Just a little too high will prevent shifting into/out of first gear at a stand still. Make sure it's in the hash marks but definetly NOT above or questionably high in the hashes. THen you're golden.
Remember it's air cooled. It WILL burn oil if you're in the throttle hard or do some freeway (70mph plus) driving.
Check your tire preassures.
You may want to go on and change your petcock now. At some point you're going to be hauling ass on the freeway (greater than 55mph) and it will starve the carbs because it sucks. Do a search on the forum for 'starvation' and you'll understand how to deal temporarily or permenantly with the issue.
Check your chain occasionally.
Get in line for the valve kit.
Enjoy the cheap thrills you gs has. Remember, easy on it and you can get 55-60 MPG all day long - ;)
Welcome to the forum again.