I decided to do this in light of all the recent engine deaths.We have a lot of new riders and this is info they need to know.Without going into engine dynamics,air cooled engine just burn oil.It's crucial to check your oil frequently.Every gas fill up is best.Checking the oil isn't as simple as pulling the dip stick,wiping it clean,replacing it,and pulling it for a reading.Remember too,that to much oil is just as bad as not enough.So here is the proper way to check the oil.

PROPER WAY TO CHECK THE OIL.

Place bike on center stand on level ground.
Warm engine.
Wait 5 minutes.
Remove dip stick and wipe clean with a lint free cloth.
Set the dip stick in the hole.DO NOT SCREW THE DIP STICK IN!!!
Remove the dip stick for an accurate oil level check.




REVISION
Title change.

Hope this helps someone.I'm kinda surprised no one has commented on this wonderful advisory. 

Perhaps you needed to use more exclamation marks.   

 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote from: ben2go on June 08, 2008, 10:27:09 PM
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it must have worked because here I am commenting again! 

tbh i had neglected this. but before i went to teh dragon saturday, i figure, dude check the oil. i did, it was BELOW the add mark. i did check it cold, but so it might be a bit overfilled, but not by much

do NOT screw the dipstick? just set it in and pull it out?  awwwwwwwe are you serious? i feel like such a noob now. maybe thats why i check the oil and it seemed fine...then i changed the oil and only about 1/2 a quart came out....and i thought my bike lied to me...no it was just my fault....i wish you would have posted this a week ago haha. oh well, ill remember this now when i fix my motor.........oops

QuoteRemember too,that to much oil is just as bad as not enough

I've heard this elsewhere too. What happens if you do overfill it with oil? I did that back in the day before I knew much about my GS. Drove it about 100 miles before finding out  I didn't have any consequences though, so I'm wondering how much I lucked out...

Quote from: Ry_Guy on June 09, 2008, 09:47:44 AM

QuoteRemember too,that to much oil is just as bad as not enough

I've heard this elsewhere too. What happens if you do overfill it with oil? I did that back in the day before I knew much about my GS. Drove it about 100 miles before finding out  I didn't have any consequences though, so I'm wondering how much I lucked out...

Damage depends on how much you overfill the oil.

The engine has a limited amount of empty space to accomodate the moving parts (pistons, connecting rods, etc). If you fill this empty space with oil, the moving parts have nowhere to go. Because the oil will not compress, the moving parts will bend and twist and the oil will be forced into places it should not go (spark plug fouling, blown gaskets, seal leakages).

In most cases, slight oil overfilling will not cause any problems. The risk of damage occurs mostly with a significantly overfilled engine (such as if the oil level is set with the bike on the sidestand).

Is there any way the unnecessary exclamation posts can be trimmed down?

On my screen I now have to scroll horizontally to read this thread, which is kind of annoying! 

Quote from: beRto on June 09, 2008, 10:05:09 AM

Quote from: Ry_Guy on June 09, 2008, 09:47:44 AM

QuoteRemember too,that to much oil is just as bad as not enough

I've heard this elsewhere too. What happens if you do overfill it with oil? I did that back in the day before I knew much about my GS. Drove it about 100 miles before finding out  I didn't have any consequences though, so I'm wondering how much I lucked out...

Damage depends on how much you overfill the oil.

The engine has a limited amount of empty space to accomodate the moving parts (pistons, connecting rods, etc). If you fill this empty space with oil, the moving parts have nowhere to go. Because the oil will not compress, the moving parts will bend and twist and the oil will be forced into places it should not go (spark plug fouling, blown gaskets, seal leakages).

In most cases, slight oil overfilling will not cause any problems. The risk of damage occurs mostly with a significantly overfilled engine (such as if the oil level is set with the bike on the sidestand).

Also the parts spinning in the oil will cause it to foam up and this will cause air to travel thru the oiling system.Air in the oil system causes the bearings to run dry.

Quote from: beRto on June 09, 2008, 10:07:27 AM
Is there any way the unnecessary exclamation posts can be trimmed down?

On my screen I now have to scroll horizontally to read this thread, which is kind of annoying! 

I'll see what I can do just for you. 


All better now? 

Quote from: ben2go on June 09, 2008, 11:45:07 AM
All better now? 

Yay!   

Quote from: ben2go on June 08, 2008, 02:31:11 PMEvery gas fill up is best.

Well let's be realistic then! Putting the bike on the centerstand isn't super convenient when at the gas station, and unscrewing a hot dipstick sucks. And what if it's low? Do you have oil with you? I have a few more realistic suggestions:

At your house, BEFORE going out to ride, with the bike on its kickstand and on fairly level ground and engine cold, unscrew the dipstick.
Sit on bike, get it upright so it's well balanced.
Pull out dipstick, no wiping needed because when it was on the kickstand the level was below this point.
If oil is between the hashmarks, you're ready to ride. Replace dipstick.

Having checked mine both hot, cold, on centerstand and just with me sitting on it, I've found almost no difference. The lazy way is just as good, and since it's easier and quicker, you'll do it more often. The EXACT level just isn't a big deal, and like other fluids, oil doesn't expand that much between hot and cold. Don't take my word for it, compare it for yourself.

Thanks for the input!

Quote(spark plug fouling, blown gaskets, seal leakages).

Ah hah...Might this be the reason I have low compression in the cylinders?
(Sorry, don't mean to hi-jack the thread)

Quote from: Ry_Guy on June 11, 2008, 01:29:09 PM
Thanks for the input!

Quote(spark plug fouling, blown gaskets, seal leakages).

Ah hah...Might this be the reason I have low compression in the cylinders?
(Sorry, don't mean to hi-jack the thread)

Doubtful.Low compression is usually caused by bad valves/seats,worn/collapsed piston rings,and/or worn/scored cylinder walls.Bad head gasket is rare but possible.

Quote from: ecpreston on June 11, 2008, 12:36:22 PM

Quote from: ben2go on June 08, 2008, 02:31:11 PMEvery gas fill up is best.

Well let's be realistic then! Putting the bike on the centerstand isn't super convenient when at the gas station, and unscrewing a hot dipstick sucks. And what if it's low? Do you have oil with you? I have a few more realistic suggestions:

At your house, BEFORE going out to ride, with the bike on its kickstand and on fairly level ground and engine cold, unscrew the dipstick.
Sit on bike, get it upright so it's well balanced.
Pull out dipstick, no wiping needed because when it was on the kickstand the level was below this point.
If oil is between the hashmarks, you're ready to ride. Replace dipstick.

Having checked mine both hot, cold, on centerstand and just with me sitting on it, I've found almost no difference. The lazy way is just as good, and since it's easier and quicker, you'll do it more often. The EXACT level just isn't a big deal, and like other fluids, oil doesn't expand that much between hot and cold. Don't take my word for it, compare it for yourself.

Takes 10 seconds to put the bike on the centerstand.

I've had no issues with the center stand.It makes fueling easier because I don't have to streach over the pump guards while balancing my bike.We have crash guards around our fuel pumps.6 to 8 inch schedual 80 steel pipe bent in a [ shape and burried in concrete.They stick up 32 inches from the surface.So,I'd rather get off my bike to fuel up,check my oil and do a walk around to see if any thing is loose or missing.

I havn't checked me oil level in months,
used to do it every week untill I noticed it does'nt waste more than a drop...

what if we don't have a center stand? 

Quote from: pjm204 on June 11, 2008, 05:53:21 PM
what if we don't have a center stand? 

Your engine asplode