Oil question for C50 owners

[Pogo2]

Just brought a bike stand so I can stand my bike upright rather than on a lean. Noticed in the oil sight glass that the oil level is just proud of the lower level mark. Should it be higher than that, say midway between the marks.

Still waiting for my owners manual so just guessing here. Any advice.

Cheers

Mark

[Edbear]

Just brought a bike stand so I can stand my bike upright rather than on a lean. Noticed in the oil sight glass that the oil level is just proud of the lower level mark. Should it be higher than that, say midway between the marks.

Still waiting for my owners manual so just guessing here. Any advice.

Cheers

Mark

If the engine is cold, it does seem a bit low. Mine runs about midway up the sight glass. Of course if it's above the minimum it's in theory okay.

How's it going? I've got five days to go to see my surgeon...

[Pogo2]

If the engine is cold, it does seem a bit low. Mine runs about midway up the sight glass. Of course if it's above the minimum it's in theory okay.

How's it going? I've got five days to go to see my surgeon...

All going good. Rode out to Muriwai on Monday and was bloody beaut!
Might add another 250-500ml just for peace of mind, being careful not to overfill of course. Do you recommend any particular oil?
Cheers

[Edbear]

All going good. Rode out to Muriwai on Monday and was bloody beaut!
Might add another 250-500ml just for peace of mind, being careful not to overfill of course. Do you recommend any particular oil?
Cheers

I've had mine serviced by the dealer since new so not sure what oil it runs, sorry. As a small top-up I guess any semi-synthetic would do. I'd stick about 200ml in and check again.

[Owl]

Shouldn't the oil level be checked upright/level and not on a stand?

[s8306]

If there,s a top mark it should be level with that.If all it takes to top up is around 200ml it,s nothing to get to concerned about.How much oil does it take?

[Coolz]

My VX has a similar engine and I find keeping the oil level close to the top mark makes gearchanging smoother and eliminates the neutral to first clunk.

[Edbear]

My VX has a similar engine and I find keeping the oil level close to the top mark makes gearchanging smoother and eliminates the neutral to first clunk.

How long you had it? Most owners seem to like them, so not sure why they weren't such a big seller. The only real criticism from road testers was the seat height a bit high for some and the front forks a bit soft. I liked the styling and the concept, but mabe it was a bit ahead of its time?

[Pogo2]

Took the bike back to Colemans to get their opinion. Service guy said that is was fine.

Apparently the oil pump can retain a bit of oil and sometimes gives the impression of a lower level.
I've looked at the level a couple of times and it varies each time, so I guess I will just take the average. At 3300km I'm sure it hasn't burnt too much oil. Just have wait and see.

[Edbear]

Took the bike back to Colemans to get their opinion. Service guy said that is was fine.

Apparently the oil pump can retain a bit of oil and sometimes gives the impression of a lower level.
I've looked at the level a couple of times and it varies each time, so I guess I will just take the average. At 3300km I'm sure it hasn't burnt too much oil. Just have wait and see.

I got to the point where I never bothered to check between services and the shop has never indicated that the level was too low and that I should keep an eye on it. I've never checked the coolant or battery. Just the tyres before each long ride and periodically when commuting.

[bluebird]

A warning from experience, after 3 years get a new battery, or you could be on the side of the road with a dead one that not even jumper leads can get going. Check the coolant, in hot weather it will have some evaporation, and after a about 3 years it should be flushed and replaced. Use 15-50 semi synth oil, Motul 5100 is good, it will make the gears smoother than the 10-40 3100 :innocentthat seems to be the norm for the dealers.:innocent:

[Edbear]

A warning from experience, after 3 years get a new battery, or you could be on the side of the road with a dead one that not even jumper leads can get going. Check the coolant, in hot weather it will have some evaporation, and after a about 3 years it should be flushed and replaced. Use 15-50 semi synth oil, Motul 5100 is good, it will make the gears smoother than the 10-40 3100 :innocentthat seems to be the norm for the dealers.:innocent:

Prolly good advice. Mine is due a full service so it'll be getting one before I take it out again once I'm cleared to ride. I'll ask about the oil, too.

[Pogo2]

A warning from experience, after 3 years get a new battery, or you could be on the side of the road with a dead one that not even jumper leads can get going. Check the coolant, in hot weather it will have some evaporation, and after a about 3 years it should be flushed and replaced. Use 15-50 semi synth oil, Motul 5100 is good, it will make the gears smoother than the 10-40 3100 :innocentthat seems to be the norm for the dealers.:innocent:

One question tho'. Where the hell is the battery. Without a manual its very frustrating. I removed the LHS cover and found the 'tool kit' but I don't know how to access anything else.

Expert advice please!

[Edbear]

One question tho'. Where the hell is the battery. Without a manual its very frustrating. I removed the LHS cover and found the 'tool kit' but I don't know how to access anything else.

Expert advice please!

Battery is under the rider's seat, you'll have to pop the seat off to get at it. My manual says it's a sealed unit and doesn't require maintenance.

[Pogo2]

Battery is under the rider's seat, you'll have to pop the seat off to get at it. My manual says it's a sealed unit and doesn't require maintenance.

Ed
How do you get the seat off? and back on again:facepalm:

[Edbear]

Ed
How do you get the seat off? and back on again:facepalm:

I think a 6mm allen key? At the rear of the pillion seat you'll see a single bolt, remove that and lift off the pillion seat. Take out the two bolts at the rear of the rider's seat that holds the bracket and lift off.

You're welcome to pop in and copy anything you need from my manual if that will help.

[skinman]

dont know about pogo2 but I might have to take you up on that at some point edbear.

[Edbear]

dont know about pogo2 but I might have to take you up on that at some point edbear.

No probs mate! I have regretfully listed my bike on TradeMe due to my back problems and the fact that it's going to be some months before I might be able to ride again. Shame to see such a great bike sitting around over Summer. I'm not giving it away, so it may not sell, but if it does I'll naturally be giving the new owner the manual, so if anyone does want to copy bits, might be better to come around sooner rather than later. It's had 44 views just overnight so far...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=339220958

[Pogo2]

I have regretfully listed my bike on TradeMe

Hey Ed
That would have been a tough call. Best of luck with the sale (if you know what I mean).

Cheers

Mark

[Edbear]

Hey Ed
That would have been a tough call. Best of luck with the sale (if you know what I mean).

Cheers

Mark

Yeah, you'll note the ad says exactly why it's for sale and that I don't really care if I have to keep it... :yes:

[Gone Burger]

Yeah, you'll note the ad says exactly why it's for sale and that I don't really care if I have to keep it... :yes:

Sorry to hear you have taken the plunge Ed and listed your beastie for sale. But understand of course your reasons. Mine is for sale too. Listed it in Trade me today, but withdrew it, as I now need to replace the indicator which wont happen til early Jan. Will put listing back up then.

As for checking oil levels, nice work Pogo for getting stand to be able to check. I have been wondering how on I I could stand it upright at the same time as bending down to look at the level. Don't check it nearly often enough as I just can't do it on my own. It goes in for its 1200k service next week (oops, its done 1400k now, that snuck up on me).

[Pogo2]

Sorry to hear you have taken the plunge Ed and listed your beastie for sale. But understand of course your reasons. Mine is for sale too. Listed it in Trade me today, but withdrew it, as I now need to replace the indicator which wont happen til early Jan. Will put listing back up then.

As for checking oil levels, nice work Pogo for getting stand to be able to check. I have been wondering how on I I could stand it upright at the same time as bending down to look at the level. Don't check it nearly often enough as I just can't do it on my own. It goes in for its 1200k service next week (oops, its done 1400k now, that snuck up on me).

for checking oil levels and polishing lots of chrome. Dont have to bend so far to polish the left hand side of the beast now!

[Edbear]

Sorry to hear you have taken the plunge Ed and listed your beastie for sale. But understand of course your reasons. Mine is for sale too. Listed it in Trade me today, but withdrew it, as I now need to replace the indicator which wont happen til early Jan. Will put listing back up then.

As for checking oil levels, nice work Pogo for getting stand to be able to check. I have been wondering how on I I could stand it upright at the same time as bending down to look at the level. Don't check it nearly often enough as I just can't do it on my own. It goes in for its 1200k service next week (oops, its done 1400k now, that snuck up on me).

Yeah, don't worry I won't be giving it away! Personally I'd rather keep it and Jill's peeved that I can't ask a higher price anyway... So unless someone basically says they'll pay the asking price it's probably going to remain mine. Wouldn't that be a shame... (NOT!) :innocent:

I use a small floor jack to get the bike level to check the oil, even for me it's a mission to hold the bike level and see the sight-glass. A scissor-jack is ideal.

[Rhubarb]

Just brought a bike stand so I can stand my bike upright rather than on a lean.

What sort of stand did you get?

Where did you get it from?

Thanks

[Pogo2]

What sort of stand did you get?

Where did you get it from?

Thanks

Ventura bike stand for 16-18" wheel. Brought it from Cycletreads for $210. Bit expensive for what it is but really good to be able to keep the bike vertical. Takes up a little less space in the garage as well.