When I was first trying to get my bike running, I noticed that the oil light came on maybe one time. This was before changing the oil and only after adding oil. Once I changed the oil and the filter, I notice that anytime I turn the bike on or turn it of the oil light immediately comes on. It goes out right away and never comes on while running but before and after, it is on.

Is this the normal operation of the oil pump and the light? or should the oil pump hold a bit of a vacuum to the oil within the engine? If so, what should I start looking to repair or replace.

Thanks,.
CB

When you turn the ignition on you should have a red oil light and a green neutral light. Hit the starter and the oil light goes off.

If you turn off the bike with the key - you should Always use the key and not the Kill Switch for normal engine off - all lights will be off as there is no power.

Michael

Cool deal. The oil was pretty thick when I drained it after buying the bike so it is entirely possible it was slow to drain after trying to start it. Now it's all good and clean and drains back down normal.

I usually use the key but have used the kill switch. So I will make it a better habit of using the key. 

Quoteyou should Always use the key and not the Kill Switch for normal engine off

Why only use the key to turn the engine off? I have killed the engine using the kill switch every time for years with no ill effects. I like to use the kill swich so in case anything crazy happens my natural reaction is to use the provided easy to reach switch,  NOT reach off the bars and fiddle with the key when I might need both hands to keep control.

 

Yeah I was wondering the same, so I did a Google search...

Most of the responses make no sense, but these two come up the most:

• Kills all of the electronics so you don't accidentally kill your battery
• Kill Switch is for emergencies only

These are the dumbest things I've ever heard.  For one, if you have a bike built in the last 25 (30?) years and are riding it on the street, there is no way you are forgetting that your electronics are on, as you will have all of these things glowing in front of you or your headlight will be shining brightly for all to see.  The other thing is just ... I can't even describe how dumb this is.  Its basically the same as saying your brakes are for emergencies only (which may be true depending on how you ride ).

All kidding aside, you are turning off the engine - you're not going to initiate some sort of special procedure for engine shutdown by turning the key (or pressing the killswitch).  If anything, turning off the engine by flipping the switch would benefit your engine, especially in a modern bike with fans, radiators, various computers by letting them keep working for a short time without the engine running - rather than shutting everything off all at once.

My understanding is that the kill switch is nothing more than what the safety switches on the sidestand and clutch are. But since I haven't ridden in a long while and am new again, I thought maybe someone knew more. I can't imagine it being an issue but I dunno?

You turn your bike On and Off with the key, the EMERGENCY KILL SWITCH is for emergency's or if you prefer a dead battery...because that is all I have ever seen done with the switch in my 40 years of riding

I guess I don't understand how using the kill switch leads to a dead battery.  I don't see how you are going to drain the battery unless you leave the key turned to on and leave it in the ignition while you are gone (not sure why you would do this, seems like an invitation for a thief).  I always kill the engine, wheel it into my garage, turn the key to lock, remove the key and go inside.  Startup is the opposite, put key in, turn to on (lights come on at this point), flip kill switch, put in neutral, adjust choke and start.

I've had more problems with that stupid parking light than the kill switch.  Maybe its because I live in a city, but I've never been comfortable leaving my keys in the ignition (whether it be in car, truck or motorcycle) which is the only way I can see the battery being drained.

I know the key tuns on and off the engine and if you don't turn the key to off then the battery will die. but who leaves there key in the ignition when not riding? the key must be in the off position to be removed any way. My point is if you use the only use the key to shut down this will be programmed in your head. and if an emergency happens you have a good chance of not thinking to use the emergency switch, in which case you will remove one hand from the bars to shut it down then possibly loose control (under heavy braking for instance). There are plenty of reasons to use the switch and none (so far) not to use the switch. if you could give me a tangible reason for only using the key, then my point may become moot.

Quote from: NF11624 on September 11, 2009, 09:47:15 PM
I guess I don't understand how using the kill switch leads to a dead battery. 

Here is the scenario, rider pulls up, kills bike with E Switch, leaves key On...we come back after lunch to a dead battery. This has happened twice to me on group rides.

Hmmm, so if the oil light is on just before I turn the key off, will the battery die?  Sorry, I just had to.

I guess I can sort of see that scenario happening ... although if you always remove your key then you would never have that problem.

I think we should just agree to disagree on this one .

My favorite use of the kill switch is to hit the one on my friends bikes while we are at a stop light. 

Quote from: dohabee on September 12, 2009, 09:16:09 AM
My favorite use of the kill switch is to hit the one on my friends bikes while we are at a stop light. 

You made my day

Quote from: dohabee on September 12, 2009, 09:16:09 AM
My favorite use of the kill switch is to hit the one on my friends bikes while we are at a stop light. 

Or... you're on a group ride where you know the Habit is to use the key and not the kill switch. While they are Not looking you hit the kill switch.

When they come back from lunch and go to start their bike they cannot. Unless this has happened to them before they do Not think of the kill switch because they didn't hit it in the first place.

One time someone had turned off the fuel on a ride trainers bike. It was the funniest thing to see as he kept checking the kill switch as to why the bike wouldn't start. Even got out some tools to open it up to see if the switch was faulty. Until someone pointed out that his fuel had been turned off.

Group rides is the easiest time to forget the kill is on - if you use the kill switch instead of the key - and that you've left the key in the ignition (if you use the key to turn off the bike) because your shutdown procedure is usually disrupted by people coming up to you, greetings given as you take off your helmet, etc.

On our rides we have a Fine system. Leave your key in the ignition and it's a $1 or $2 coin fine. Like last ride, the ride leader left his key in the ignition at first stop. Someone else took it out. When we went to go again he reached into his pocket and couldn't find his key, nor was it in the bike. What made it funny was, at the start of the ride he had put the key in his Vest pocket not his pants pocket, so there were missing key issues before the ride had begun. BJ watched on and then offer his Spare key hehehe.

I am not aware of any mechanical reason why you should use the key to stop the bike. It's just a prudent thing to do to avoid the one time your shutdown procedure is disrupted and you leave the key in to come back to a dead battery.

Michael

pickles with creamy toothpaste mowed my yardsale at the wash.

Quote from: NF11624 on September 12, 2009, 06:42:04 AM
I guess I can sort of see that scenario happening ... although if you always remove your key then you would never have that problem.

I think we should just agree to disagree on this one .

Agreed, and I don't keep jumper cables with me for my bike 

This thread is pretty retarded.

You're retarded if you...

1) Don't take your key with you when exiting the bike.
2) Can't figure out why your bike won't start and your kill switch is OFF
3) Call the kill switch an emergency switch. That is WRONG. It's an electrical KILL switch for cutting electrical power to the starter (& spark plugs?)
4) Think using the kill switch to turn off your engine is going to kill your battery.

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on September 11, 2009, 08:52:50 PM
You turn your bike On and Off with the key, the EMERGENCY KILL SWITCH is for emergency's or if you prefer a dead battery...because that is all I have ever seen done with the switch in my 40 years of riding

Yes I agree, also that kill switch is IMHO, a nice perfect accesory switch. On my Maxim X its wired to the fan.  ... very nice of yamaha to provide me with an inbuilt switch.
In many many cases, I'd distract my Idiot friends who use the kill switch ... and they will walk away with the key in the ignition. 20 mins = DOA on the battery. One of em, affectionately called #1, short for idiot #1 did that to a savage when I wasn't even around @ a restaurant. A savage cannot be push started either, cos its got a decompression mechanism. Without that working it will not turn over.
Cool.
Buddha.