97 Bandit 600

[crocodilukdf]

Hi guys, I've just bought the bike.... and being to excited, i didn't see that it has almost no oil in... so my question is, what oil do you use and is among the best and where can I buy it from? And a silly question, but I don;t know that much about engines... what can happen if I ride it like this for 20miles to a service where they will take care of it? Will the engine suffer too much or I should buy the oil first? I need some answers fast, because I have booked a spot on friday for my bike to get checked.

[P.addy]

morrisons/tesco own semi synthetic oil will be fine.

[hazza]

Is the bike on perfectly level ground and on the centre stand when you check the levels? I only ask because mine shows empty on the side stand and very low on a slight incline one the centre stand

As said though 10w/40 tesco oil is fine.
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3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[Robby]

I'm slightly concerned that the oil level would be that low on a bike you have just bought, and presumably ridden for 200 miles or less. Even the silliest of sellers would make sure that the oil level is correct for a bike they are selling, which would point at the bike leaking or burning oil.

Top it up to the correct level, making sure that the bike is on level ground, then keep an eye on the oil level to make sure that it isn't dropping.

To my knowledge those engines aren't known for burning oil, and are tough, so a more likely cause would be a leak, most likely from the sump plug if someone didn't replace the crush washer.

Good bike to learn a bit of spannering on, seeing as you mentioned taking it to a garage. Simple bike, accessible, cheap parts, and you can get a Haynes manual. Someone that lives nearby will probably be happy to walk you through a service. Far cheaper than going to a garage, and you can find out which bits need particular attention from browsing this forum. From memory, the important bit to check is the welds around the headstock, which have been known to crack following crash damage. Not a nice thing to find, but an even less nice thing to find out about while you're sliding down the road.

[crocodilukdf]

I already bought a Haynes manual, but .... i'm still taking it to a garage because when I take my hands off the handlebars it pulls slighty to the left. And I want them to check it for the first time just to make sure its safe to ride. And the oil level, when the bike is leveled... I can barely see the oil, I have to lean in opposite to the sidestand just to see the oil. I will take a better look today, but I don't think its leaking oil, because I should see some marks in the driveway where it sits. I know I didn't checked it when I bought it..... i was a sucker and got fooled buying my first bike Now I have to do some work to it.....

[Kickstart]

Hi

It is an old engine design and the oil original specified would be a very obsolete grade. A basic 4 stroke engine oil of the right viscosity will be fine.

As to the low oil level, how low? The only warning light you have is the oil pressure warning light, and the job of that is pretty much to just tell you that you have already wrecked your engine. Do not even contemplate riding the bike with the oil warning light illuminated.

All the best

Keith
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