Dip stick oil level

[mudcow007]

Stupid question this, but ive always had bikes with sight glasses....

when checking oil levels with a dip stick, do you remove said dipstick, wipe it clean then rescrew it in then remove to check level

or just remove it, wipe it an push it back in (so its sitting unscrewed in)

if that makes sense??

[pepperami]

I usually lightly screw it back in when checking the level.
I’ve not had any issues using that method
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Suntan Sid]

Depends on the manufacturer.
On my, admittedly 30+ year old, Honda the level is taken with the dip stick NOT screwed in, just resting in place!
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"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[arry]

As above, depends on manufacturer. I've had one of both, ie screw all the way in and then unscrew to check, and one where manual says to rest it on top.

Need to check manual.

[RhynoCZ]

[mudcow007]

err right ok, just checked it with it screwed in (bike is on center stand) an its just touching the bottom of the stick

So if its not to be screwed in, the oil level is even lower

Bike is Honda Blackbird

just read its not screwed in... fack!

going to go an hunt around work an see if anyone has any oil

[RhynoCZ]

When is the oil change due? If soon, just drain it and put in the right amount of oil (read the manual).
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[mudcow007]

I was planning on dropping the oil on Sunday, but worried now the engine is basically dry

Im going to go the garage an get a litre of oil to throw in

cheers all

[NJD]

You measuring it cold or just after a run?

Far as I understand it you'll need to let it settle before taking a measurement.

On the Arrow I used to go for 3 / 4 x's on the dipstick out of 5; I doubt they're overly accurate.
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[Polarbear]

In my experience the majority of screw in dip sticks measure the oil level while resting on the threads, not screwed in.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[MCN]

[mudcow007]

I went out at lunch time an measured again, an the level seemed higher?

The bike had been sat for at least 2 hours the first time I measured etc.

After checking an hour later the oil seemed to be halfway up the dip stick?!

very odd, bike hasnt moved or anything


I bought a litre of cheap oil from local garage to get me home, which i will drop on sunday anyways

Oh an just read my manual an it says check on centre stand, with the stick unscrewed in

cheers

[RhynoCZ]

Was the motorcycle level, horizontally? If you lean it a few millimeters left, it'll show much less and a few right, it'll show a lot more on the dipstick.

I used to measure the oil this way:
1) put it on the side stand (bike leaned left)
2) the dipstick off + clean it + put it back (it's still leaned left, so no oil touches the dipstick yet)
3) balance the motorcycle, horizontally (now you're getting the measurements)
4) put it back on the side stand (gently put it on the sidestand)
5) the dipstick off and read the value

Always got the correct measurement. Be careful not to lean the motorcycle right when balancing it, that would splash the dipstick, just as I was telling you about in the first paraghrap.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[P.]

Just change it, remove oil and filter, replace with what manual tells you and run for a few minutes. Let it settle and test again. Use that as your reading next time, with it in or out. At that point you know where it 'should' be

[ThatDippyTwat]

Depends on Manufacturer. Last 2 bikes, dipstick lightly seated, not screwed in. The 125 cruiser, screwed down until you feel reesistance.

Read your manual.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[janner_10]

[Courier265]

[davebike]

Always despite what the Keyboard wariers say better overfull than under
Bikes have had good breather systems and have not had an overpressure problem since the 1960's !

Yes I am a trained mechanic (Suzuki) that has worked it or run a workshop since the 1970's

Me I run my FZ6 cub 90 and previous bike at least 10% over full il is cheaper than engine repairs

Never seen overfill dammage seen lots damaged by too little!!
____________________
Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

[RhynoCZ]