YAMAHA XJ600 DIVERSION OIL CONSUMPTION

[surfbum65]

Hi, I've just bought a '94 Yamaha XJ600 DIVERSION today with 10,500 genuine miles.
When I picked the bike up the oil level was full. I rode the 212 miles from Newcastle to Birmingham mostly on fast roads & motorways.
Noticed when I got home the level was now 1/4 full.
It didn't smoke and there are no apparent leaks. The exhausts are dry inside (no oil residue).
Is this normal or is there something going on?
I'd hate to think I've bought a lemmon
Thanks
Pete

[Pete.]

Firstly if it doesn't smoke, doesn't rattle, runs well and ticks over I wouldn't worry. If there are any leaks I'd expect to find them in the area of the front sprocket, but if it was bad you'd have a drip or a small puddle.

First thing I'd do is stand the bike level on the drive or in the garage and check the oil then top it up to the max. Then I'd ride it for a couple of hundred miles and check it again when stood on exactly the same spot. You can get a large difference in the level of oil in the sight glass of a bike just by leaning it ever so slightly, or by not having it on level ground front to rear. This might be the case with your bike. Don't worry, they are a tough engine.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[surfbum65]

Hi Geri,
Thanks very much for your reply. The first place I checked the oil was in the motorway services after I'd done about 100 miles. It was on the max. I then checked it in my garage after the next 100 miles. This is when I had seen the difference.
I'll do what you suggest & hopefully it will be ok.
Thanks again for your help
Pete

[alun111]

You should be checking the oil when the engine is stone cold. Best leaving it overnight to get an accurate reading.
____________________
Summer: '00 Honda CB600F Hornet
Winter: '93 Suzuki GSF 400 Bandit VP Variable Valve
Past Bikes: Lifan LF100-5 Lifan LF125-A Honda C70

[iooi]

You sure that you were on level ground all the time, as it only takes a slight slope to make it look high/low.

Personally its one of the 1st things i do when i get a bike. Change the oil and filter.
Try removing the tank as well and looking in the air filter. They can dump oil in there.

I have a 97 with 43 K on the clock and it does not use any oil at all.
____________________
Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[surfbum65]

Thanks to everyone for your help. I can't say that the ground was level at the services or when I first set off from Newcastle train station where I met the seller.
I've topped it up in my garage and will check again periodically when it's parked on the same spot and hopefully all will be well. I'll also check the oil filter as you suggest.
Thanks again for everyones advice. I' keep you up to date.

[el_oso]

i have to top my divvy up with oil every few hundred miles. Has been running perfectly for the past 10months.
Problem with so few miles on such an old bike is that water and dust/grime/grit/crap tends to settle and corrode stuff and cause problems.
the reason why mine is using so much oil is because the rubber valve seals are gone brittle and are leaking. This is only a problem when i first start the engine. A fair amount of blue smoke. After about 10seconds the smoke has disappeared with no other problems. just keep it topped up with oil.
Also the oil light on the divvy is very sensitive. when that light comes on. check your oil level and top it up
____________________
Duke 390
Previous: '05 XR125L | '96 XJ600S Diversion |'05 Suzuki GSXR1000 | '05 Honda CBR125-R | '97 YZF 600R Thundercat | '11 Honda CBR250
Car: Jeep Wrangler 4.0L

[surfbum65]

I can deffinetely vouch for the light being sensitive. It was on this morning. When I braked the oil light went out and when I settled into a steady speed it came back on for a bit then went out. I've topped up the oil so I'll keep an eye on it.
Did discover that when I put my bike in different sides/areas of the garage the oil level changed .
Floor not as level as it looks. I've marked out a spot where the centre stand sits now so I'll park the bike in that exact spot and keep an eye on level.
Haven't noticed it smoking but I'll be more vigilant.
Thanks
____________________
Previous bikes: CZ 125, Zip 50 scooter, Peugeot 125 scooter, Marauder 125, Virago XV 535, Kawasaki Drifter, Bonneville America, VN750, Harley 883 Sportster. Now own both a Customised Harley Superglide and XJ 600 Diversion

[surfbum65]

After 2 weeks of parking my bike in the exact same spot in the garage (i marked it out with tape) the oil has stayed the same level

Turns out my garage floor is a bit uneven in places. Move it a couple of feet either way & you get different readings.

Thanks again to everyone for the advice.

P.s. Is the gearbox always noisy when it's in neutral? Sure I read somewhere this was normal
____________________
Previous bikes: CZ 125, Zip 50 scooter, Peugeot 125 scooter, Marauder 125, Virago XV 535, Kawasaki Drifter, Bonneville America, VN750, Harley 883 Sportster. Now own both a Customised Harley Superglide and XJ 600 Diversion

[serlant]

yup, grab the clutch and it should quieten down a bit.

[surfbum65]

Yep, exactly as you say. Pull in the clutch & noise stops otherwise gearbox/clutch work fine aside from being a bit clunky on gear change which I understand is also normal. Thanks
____________________
Previous bikes: CZ 125, Zip 50 scooter, Peugeot 125 scooter, Marauder 125, Virago XV 535, Kawasaki Drifter, Bonneville America, VN750, Harley 883 Sportster. Now own both a Customised Harley Superglide and XJ 600 Diversion

[Pete.]

Yes normal as said.

Be aware also that the noises your bike engine makes will be greatly amplified when it's in your garage or alleyway or alongside a solid wall such as the side of a house. The thing to worry aboiut is sudden significant changes in the noise or feel of your bike. Give the oil level a quick check one in a while and do the scheduled servicing. Pay more attention to keeping your chain lubed religiously especially in the coming months.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Thom]

i found my diversion would only give a true oil level when it was cold in the morning. if it had even been run for a second the oil seemed to dissapear up into the engine and wouldnt return for a good 20mins+!
____________________
Current Bike: 1996 Yamaha TRX850 (The Japanese-Ducati One).
Previous Bikes: 1990 Honda NSR125 'Rothmans' (The smoking one), 1990 Suzuki GS500e 'Caf? fighter' (The loud one), 1987 Kawasaki GPX400r (The quick one), 1997 XJ600s Diversion (The reliable one), 2000 Kawasaki ER-5 (The spontaneously combustive one)

[surfbum65]

Thanks all for the help and advice. With the heated grips I fitted and with regular maintanance I'm all set for the winter
____________________
Previous bikes: CZ 125, Zip 50 scooter, Peugeot 125 scooter, Marauder 125, Virago XV 535, Kawasaki Drifter, Bonneville America, VN750, Harley 883 Sportster. Now own both a Customised Harley Superglide and XJ 600 Diversion

[klk650]

Hello
After passing my test in November, I am now th prud owner of a 600 diversion 1997, but have found that the oil light comes on sometimes ? I read the read ups on here, but I know if it came on on my car I would STOP and panic, is this the same with my bike ?
Thanks in advance for all advice.
Karen

[surfbum65]

[smegballs]

[klk650]

I agree, it took me two attempts at the new mod1 test, and three attempts at part 2, and I was more chuffed to do this than to do a car test.
I have read about the diversion being touchy on the oil light on another forum, but I am glad you have reinforced that view, as an oil light usually means big trouble and no oil circulation.
I found the jump from the 600 from my little 125 custom to be quite intimidating, but as my hubby says, you'll soon be zooming around.
Thanks for you help, and piece of mind
Karen