Hey guys,

I have a quick question/concern. I was riding today and suddenly the bike got jerky, when I gave her throttle she jerked back and fourth on me. I looked down and saw that my oil light was on I don't remember if the engine stalled at that point. I was lucky enough to be able to coast right into a bp gas station. I checked my oil and it was half-full and I bought and added enough oil for it to say full. I also filled up with gas 3.5 gallons to be exact. I rode home without any problems.

My question is why did the bike act jerky and stall? Is it because I did not half enough oil or what could it be, I'm worried about my baby!

TIA,
Jason

It takes 3 things for an engine to run:

Fuel

Spark

Air

More than likely you were getting ready to hit reserve since the reserve is 1 gallon (I think that's right).

I wouldn't worry about it just keep an eye on that oil level from now on 

Always check the oil.I do mine everyday or every 300 miles if I'm on a trip.If the problem you describe appears again,switch to reserve as soon as it stumbles.Then you'll have yo awnser.

Probably stalled because of low oil pressure.  Your bike actually needs 4 things to run (oil being the fourth).
No oil = no lubrication on moving parts = engine lock-up

Believe me when I say that this is BAD for your engine.  Locking parts under stress = high risk for engine damage.

i agree that it is the fuel. the gs can run forever down to 1/2 oil, may not be good for it but it is one tough little engine

If you suspect low oil pressure it's probably the counter balance shaft bearings or the main crank bearings.They don't usually make that much noise if they wear threw.If they spin in the journals they make a high pitch grinding sound followed by a complete engine lock down.I read on a website that it was common for balance shaft bearings to go bad on race engines and higher mileage engines that have been run hard.

I couldn't find the website with the info on the counter balance shaft bearings wearing out quickly.

Bet on a gummy petcock. When the gas got low and close to switching to R, the petcock quit serving as well. Gravity and vacuum can only do so much.

The oil light was a result of the starving motor (gas) and stalling.

It's a good idea to check brakes, tires, oil at every fuel up.

Yep.I do a walk around EVERY TIME I get on my bike.Never know when ya might catch some thing.I recently caught a loose tach cable before it started blowing oil.

Yeah, probably got down to the reserve.

Happened to me the other day for the first time, I usually keep my tank pretty full.  Scared the crap out of me.

Oil light comes on when the bike dies.

3.5 gallons to fill it back up:  You were down to reserve. 

Oil light will ALWAYS come on when the bike stalls, regardless of the reason it stalled.

Quote from: Caffeine on July 04, 2007, 02:07:55 AM
3.5 gallons to fill it back up:  You were down to reserve. 

Oil light will ALWAYS come on when the bike stalls, regardless of the reason it stalled.

+1