NEW XBR500 OWNER

[welland99]

Hi thumperlovers

Just signing in to introduce myself.  I recently bought my first xbr500 and really enjoying it so far.      Ridden it over 600 miles in the first month.   
Would i be correct in thinking that there is plenty of XBR experience on here?  I'm bound to have questions to ask in the future.......

Peter

[SteveC#222]

Welcome to the madhouse forum!    Plenty of XBR owners here so feel free to ask away! Where abouts are you?

[Smithy]

Welcome and good choice. I used to ride an XBR 500 and loved it. Mine was a 1985 model in black and was in lovely condition. I have a 1982 Suzuki GN400 which feels very different to ride. The XBR was quite high geared for a single and had little flywheel effect as I remember it whereas the GN feels more like a traditional big single.

Anyway enjoy your XBR you lucky man.

[SRXweb]

Welcome to the family. A thumper is a good choice.

[tommy]

hi peter the xbr s a great bike i have 2  of them and love them dont forget the golden  rule of owning a xbr keep a daily check on the engine oil . safe biking tommy

[welland99]

Where abouts are you?

Hi Steve, I'm near Malvern in Worcestershire. 

[welland99]

don't forget the golden  rule of owning a xbr keep a daily check on the engine oil

Hi Tommy.  Daily check.  OO err.  Is that because of the possibility of some sudden catastrophic occurrence that makes the oil disappear?  I have made a routine of checking about weekly and I've not noticed much consumption yet.     (I ride 30 miles round trip to work). 

[Oldtimer]

Like any engine, check oil and water and of course the tyre pressures daily/weekly. In all honesty who does?
Welcome to the fold anyhow. 1 question not ask is " Exhaust pipes and silencers" There aint any. Appart from that enjoy your XBR   I sertainly do.

[timbo]

Hi Peter, In my limited experience checking the oil in any single is pretty crucial. With an XBR, take it for a short run, say 2 or 3 miles, then let it sit at tick over for 2 to 3 minutes, approx. 1200 revs. then switch off, and check oil. I have tried just running them from cold for a few minutes in the shed and then checking oil. you get a totally inaccurate reading.

Cheers

Tim

[welland99]

Hi Peter, In my limited experience checking the oil in any single is pretty crucial. With an XBR, take it for a short run, say 2 or 3 miles, then let it sit at tick over for 2 to 3 minutes, approx. 1200 revs. then switch off, and check oil. I have tried just running them from cold for a few minutes in the shed and then checking oil. you get a totally inaccurate reading.
Cheers
Tim

Hi Tim,
That's interesting.  I wonder why this occurs?  I think the handbook says it is fine to idle for 3 mins before checking, and does not identify any need to ride it. 

I've started a new thread on choice of oil here:  http://www.thumperclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=6989.0  Comments please from all XBR owners (or those in the know!)

[timbo]

I find I have to do the same with my Honda 650 dommie. I don't know why, maybe i'm talking nonsense, but it works for me. I'm interested in other peeps views on this?

[mthee]

Just compared the manual's oil level check method (idle only) to timbo's (run + idle) Results are 1/5 up the dipstick and 3/4, respectively!
timbo asked for people's views, but no one replied, hence my bumping this thread. Ta.

Here's more confirmation that timbo's right which in turn means top Japanese engineers got it woefully wrong!!!

. 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).

I reckon 150ml would take me from 1/5 to 3/4 on the dipstick.

[SteveC#222]

I use the same method as Tim and it seems to work.

I've just changed my oil and put in exactly the correct amount in according to the manual. Over the weekend I'll do a check running 3 minutes from cold and then take it for a short run and try the way I usually do it.

[tommy]

same here 3minutes tickover for my xbr and 5 minutes for my dommie tommy