Engine oil?

**overworkedmonkey** · 22nd December 2010, 09:09

Guys,

Not sure how I can check the level of oil in the bike. There's a cap that looks I can twist open on the right side of the bike. Doesn't read oil though. There isn't a gauge either on the right unless the fairing is covering which I doubt it is. Any suggestions?

**AllanB** · 22nd December 2010, 09:17

What is the bike?

It will either have a dipstick or a sight glass window (in the side of the crankcase). The cap you describe is probably the oil filler cap (usually say oil) and if it has a dipstick it will be attached to this.

Open it up and see what happens.

It just occurred to me that it may be a Hosung you are riding - in which case I heard the engines are sealed at the factory as they will require rebuilding before the oil needs changing .....

**overworkedmonkey** · 22nd December 2010, 09:22

Originally Posted by AllanB

What is the bike?

It will either have a dipstick or a sight glass window (in the side of the crankcase). The cap you describe is probably the oil filler cap (usually say oil) and if it has a dipstick it will be attached to this.

Open it up and see what happens.

It just occurred to me that it may be a Hosung you are riding - in which case I heard the engines are sealed at the factory as they will require rebuilding before the oil needs changing .....

Would never buy a Hyosung. It's a CBR250RR. It doesn't have a sight glass window where the crankcase is. The oil filler cap is closed pretty tight though.
Is there a particular manner I should open it? Should the engine be cold or warm? What oil do I use?

**overworkedmonkey** · 22nd December 2010, 09:47

Ok. came across the following guide in the service manual. Now am unsure what these mean.

#1 Inspect the oil level but do not screw the level gauge in. What does it mean to inspect the oil level but not to scren the level gauge in?

#2 If the oil is too dirty, change the oil. - How do I know if the oil is dirty?

**Katman** · 22nd December 2010, 09:56

How the fuck do you manage to dress yourself in the morning?

**Logpot** · 22nd December 2010, 10:27

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**cheshirecat** · 22nd December 2010, 10:28

Originally Posted by Katman

How the fuck do you manage to dress yourself in the morning?

Don't be too hard on him he might be used to old landrovers which operate a constant loss system

**overworkedmonkey** · 22nd December 2010, 10:42

Originally Posted by Katman

How the fuck do you manage to dress yourself in the morning?

Well, I start with selecting a tee-shirt from the closet, followed by boxers, jeans ending with the selection of the ammunition I like for the day for the AK47...

Gotta start somewhere...

**AllanB** · 22nd December 2010, 10:43

Yip see the filler hole has a dipstick on it. It just means you do not need to screw the cap down tight to use the dipstick to check the level. Screw it tight after you have checked. You'll probably find it fairly tight to undo as they have a O-ring under them and if nipped up tight it takes a bit to free it. Lefty loosey, righty tighty with nuts and bolts.

Oil colour - colour alone can be deceiving - some oils poor new very clear, others are quite dark out of the bottle - best is to slop some on your finger - if it is transparent ish - ie it does not blot out your finger then it is still relatively 'clean'. If it is black it is dirty.

Kms travelled are a better way of changing it - not sure on that engine but something like every 5,000 or annually.

A bike specific semi-synthetic oil 10w40 (oil weights) will be fine in that bike.

Why don't you post up looking for a local friendly KBer with some free time these holidays to run you through the basics of checking the bike over etc. A dozen beer is good currency.

Just watch out if Carver offers his help - you may need to be careful if you are bending over near your bike ......

**overworkedmonkey** · 22nd December 2010, 10:52

Originally Posted by AllanB

Yip see the filler hole has a dipstick on it. It just means you do not need to screw the cap down tight to use the dipstick to check the level. Screw it tight after you have checked. You'll probably find it fairly tight to undo as they have a O-ring under them and if nipped up tight it takes a bit to free it. Lefty loosey, righty tighty with nuts and bolts.

Oil colour - colour alone can be deceiving - some oils poor new very clear, others are quite dark out of the bottle - best is to slop some on your finger - if it is transparent ish - ie it does not blot out your finger then it is still relatively 'clean'. If it is black it is dirty.

Kms travelled are a better way of changing it - not sure on that engine but something like every 5,000 or annually.

A bike specific semi-synthetic oil 10w40 (oil weights) will be fine in that bike.

Why don't you post up looking for a local friendly KBer with some free time these holidays to run you through the basics of checking the bike over etc. A dozen beer is good currency.

Just watch out if Carver offers his help - you may need to be careful if you are bending over near your bike ......

Thanks mate. Starting to make more sense now. So assuming the oil is low, is it ok to simply top it up or will I need to drain it completely? Also once I loosen the cap, do I need to replace the O-ring?

Anyone is Auckland who has the know-how around bikes? Promise to bring a six pack along with me :-)

**bsasuper** · 22nd December 2010, 11:00

Unscrew the oil filler cap, wipe it clean, with the bike upright insert the dipstick/filler cap without screwing it in, pull it out and read the oil level, should be between the low and high mark.If it is low you can just add oil ( a little at a time, say 200ml and re-check the level.the o-ring does NOT need replacing.

**overworkedmonkey** · 22nd December 2010, 11:05

Originally Posted by bsasuper

Unscrew the oil filler cap, wipe it clean, with the bike upright insert the dipstick/filler cap without screwing it in, pull it out and read the oil level, should be between the low and high mark.If it is low you can just add oil ( a little at a time, say 200ml and re-check the level.the o-ring does NOT need replacing.

Cool. Will give that a go. So I don't have to worry about mixing different types of oil?

**Logpot** · 22nd December 2010, 11:08

Originally Posted by bsasuper

Unscrew the oil filler cap, wipe it clean, with the bike upright insert the dipstick/filler cap without screwing it in, pull it out and read the oil level, should be between the low and high mark.If it is low you can just add oil ( a little at a time, say 200ml and re-check the level.the o-ring does NOT need replacing.

I'd suggest even less than 200ml at a time.

They only need 2.3 litres after an oil and filter change so it wouldn't take much to overfill it.

**overworkedmonkey** · 22nd December 2010, 11:10

Originally Posted by Logpot

I'd suggest even less than 200ml at a time.

They only need 2.3 litres after an oil and filter change so it wouldn't take much to overfill it.

So I will have to change the filter? Seeing that I don't have all the skills yet to change oil filters, can I simply top up the oil until I either learn how to change the filter or to have it serviced by a mechanic?