Thumper Club Forum

Technical => Bike Problems/Questions => Topic started by: manxie on April 20, 2016, 08:01:24 AM

Title: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: manxie on April 20, 2016, 08:01:24 AM
With the XBR & GB being dry sump, what are the correct procedures to check the oil level? I`ve not checked mine, but want to before I attempt to start it. I checked the dipstick on the tank and the oil is just touching the bottom of it? Probably silly questions, sorry  :-[ Cheers.
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: timbo on April 20, 2016, 08:38:57 AM
Not silly at all mate. As there is only one way to accurately check the oil on these bikes and the Dommie etc. The manual says to let the engine run at idle for three minutes and then check. IMHO you never get an accurate reading this way. Take the bike for a short run of a couple of miles at least, to fully warm up, then let it sit at tick over for three minutes. Switch off, and check oil level, with dipstick not screwed in.  :)
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: timbo on April 20, 2016, 08:41:37 AM
The fact that the oil is just touching the dipstick at cold, will be fine. Let us know what the true reading is once you've done the procedure suggested above.
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: manxie on April 20, 2016, 09:07:37 AM
Spot on Tim, thanks. It will be in a while because I want to leave my fuel tank empty as it needs to go to the paint shop  :( so could be in a week or so before I have any results for you  :-\ Thanks again, Steve  ;)
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: CrazyFrog on April 20, 2016, 04:21:49 PM
The fact that the oil is just touching the dipstick at cold, will be fine. Let us know what the true reading is once you've done the procedure suggested above.

Infact, for the SLR650, which I assume to be the same regards the oil circuit, the manual recommends adding 1litre, then running the engine for 60 seconds before adding the rest when doing an oil change, IIRC.
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: manxie on April 20, 2016, 04:59:22 PM
Nice one!! Would it be ok to put a cap full of Castrol R in the tank....for that lovely smell  ;D  :-\
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: themoudie on April 20, 2016, 09:16:33 PM
Steady Steve!  :-\

Mineral oil and castor DON'T MIX, the castor reacts and becomes a gum. I know an egg cup full in 15 litres of ethanol c**p doesn't sound much, but having spent ?????? and then having all this extra work done, only to gum up the works?  ???

However, your bike mate.  :-X

I trust the Island is looking bonnie in the spring light and warmth?

My regards, Bill
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: manxie on April 20, 2016, 09:23:21 PM
Hi Bill, the Cassy R will NOT be used!! Thanks.  ;)

Yeah, the island is looking well in places. The mountain is shut for TT prep work so travelling from Andreas (which is dug up) to Douglas every day is a pain via Laxey (still no bridge in Laxey  ::) ) However, this morning was a pleasure to drive to Douglas, coming around the coast, the sea was like glass with the sun rising on it, not a breath of wind....beautiful!! Not long now `til the TT .... manic times  ;D
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: themoudie on April 21, 2016, 11:20:02 PM
Aye Steve,

5 a side in each direction, the 5th column having a mental aberration of their own mortality!  :o

Have a good one.

My regards, Bill
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: BrendanO on June 01, 2016, 08:00:03 AM
. The manual says to let the engine run at idle for three minutes and then check. IMHO you never get an accurate reading this way. Take the bike for a short run of a couple of miles at least, to fully warm up, then let it sit at tick over for three minutes. Switch off, and check oil level, with dipstick not screwed in.  :)

Second this. Recently changed the oil, checking level and topping up as manual. Checked it after a long run and oil poured out of the tank filler: I sh@t myself, thinking I had overfilled, maybe blown seals, etc. Took out about 150ml, all seems well after a 750 mile weekend (Edinburgh -Bedford return for the CX Rally).
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: manxie on June 01, 2016, 06:22:12 PM
Just a bit of advice please fella`s? Ideally as Tim says, take it for a couple of mile run before checking the oil but with my GB, I can`t do that as it`s not reg`d, taxed or insured  ??? After running it for ABOUT three mins, it`s about half way up on the dipstick. Should I run it for longer, maybe five minutes, to simulate a couple of mile run? Cheers, Steve.
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: timbo on June 01, 2016, 09:32:35 PM
It sounds OK Steve, but just take the risk, and go for a spin up one of the quiet roads near Andreas. Then check  ;)
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: manxie on June 01, 2016, 09:34:55 PM
Oh, ok then .... you`ve talked me into it  ;D Cheers Tim.
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: Moto63 on June 01, 2016, 10:34:12 PM
Hello, hello, hello, hello....what's all this then??.... Who d,ya think you are, john Mac Guinness??
Was that you Steve I've just seen pootling past Steve parish and Jamie whitham on the itv4 TT preview program Steve ?  :) :) :)
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: SteveC#222 on June 01, 2016, 10:49:23 PM
Look hofficer, bang to rights on the CCTV

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/22/34/59/2234592bd39144f842863e0ee799edb1.jpg)

.....It's a fair cop Guv!
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: manxie on June 02, 2016, 04:54:14 AM
Hello, hello, hello, hello....what's all this then??.... Who d,ya think you are, john Mac Guinness??
Was that you Steve I've just seen pootling past Steve parish and Jamie whitham on the itv4 TT preview program Steve ?  :) :) :)

Great preview program, ITV4 certainly do it justice  ;) I didn`t notice me anywhere Michael, but if there was a yellow MZ go by in the background between Ballaugh and Skyhill it could have been (unless you`re taking the .... Mickey...  ;) ;))

It is a bit dodgey Steve taking it up the road for a run, but probably the best time of year too. Plod`s out patrolling the course and a bike with no number plate may not be spotted as easy  ;)
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: Moto63 on June 02, 2016, 08:01:35 AM
Me...take the mickey. ;) ;)....must say tho the island looked ace with brilliant weather to boot, hopefully it'll last thro race week eh. I have been over a couple of times, both for bike related events but never the TT. Must make an effort to get over. Bet you're itching to get the GB out now the suns out. Number plates....who needs em!!! ;) ;)
Cheers..Michael
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: Moto63 on June 02, 2016, 08:04:17 AM
Ha ha....just seen the pic Steve has posted. "It's not me officer"came the cry...."look he's got a number plate on his"  ;) ;)
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: timbo on June 02, 2016, 12:13:05 PM
B#######! Missed the show on ITV4 last night  :-\
Title: Re: Oil check on XBR?
Post by: manxie on June 02, 2016, 04:27:05 PM
Tim, try the ITV player, it was pretty good. I think it`s on every night now, usually around 10pm on ITV4, tonight it`10.15  ;)