Oil consumption & finding it!

[duncb]

I started bike up today and noticed it sounded a little louder than normal... I checked the oil level and it was barely touching the dipstick. It had it's 600 miles service about 1000 miles ago. Is it normal to have consumed all the oil in that many miles?! Engine temp was at six bars when I checked it.

Also I tried to buy 10 50 and cannot find it anywhere local... I tried autozone, oreileys and cycle gear... Anyone know where I can find the correct oil?

[AdvGa]

Here's a nice discussion on this matter:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=637073

[thugdog]

as suggested, there's plenty of oil threads.

however for clarity, what random lubricant did you introduce??


~

[duncb]

I didn't introduce anything - I couldn't find oil despite looking at 10 places across Phoenix all weekend. I'm not too happy about this - maybe the dealer should give you a liter and point out its harder to find than rocking horse shit and suggest new owners order it online?

So I couldn't ride all weekend and can't go out tonight either - next weekend is my birthday ride and guess what - I still won't be able to go out because it' not arriving until the 10th :/

10W 50 fully synthetic - you'd think i was asking for dodo sperm at some places!

[jmangym]

Try GOAZ in Scottsdale. I was there Wednesday and they had some in stock.

[slackmeyer]

Originally Posted by duncb

I didn't introduce anything - I couldn't find oil despite looking at 10 places across Phoenix all weekend. I'm not too happy about this - maybe the dealer should give you a liter and point out its harder to find than rocking horse shit and suggest new owners order it online?

So I couldn't ride all weekend and can't go out tonight either - next weekend is my birthday ride and guess what - I still won't be able to go out because it' not arriving until the 10th :/

10W 50 fully synthetic - you'd think i was asking for dodo sperm at some places!

Couple things-
it's ok to mix weights of oil- not that you should always be using up all the 1/2 empty bottles you find at the gas station in your new bike, but a liter of 10w-40 or 5W-50 is not going to hurt anything at all.

Many motorcyclists use rotella synthetic 5w-50- I've used it, it works fine. Right now I use Castrol edge synthetic 5w-50. The price difference isn't that much, and I think that the 950 seems to run quieter on this oil than on the rotella or other oils I've tried. It doesn't give me any problems with the clutch.

Also, I end up adding about 1 liter per 3-4,000 miles. Been this way since I got the bike, at 14,000 miles, I'm now at 42,000 miles.

[duncb]

thanks for the pointers guys - The girl is heading to mcdowell on her way home from work for me tomorrow - if not I'll head up to goaz...

So if your oil level was at 'MIN' - how much oil would it take to go to 'MAX' on the dipstick?

That'll help me in topping it off.

Cheers,

D

[slackmeyer]

Originally Posted by duncb

thanks for the pointers guys - The girl is heading to mcdowell on her way home from work for me tomorrow - if not I'll head up to goaz...

So if your oil level was at 'MIN' - how much oil would it take to go to 'MAX' on the dipstick?

That'll help me in topping it off.

Cheers,

D

I think the manual says 500ml, but I like to add a bit less- it can be tricky to measure the oil consistently, and adding too much oil is a bad thing. I would add 8-12 oz and go for a ride, and check again afterwards.

[duncb]

that's what i was thinking too...

I wish bike shops were open mondays!

[Yardstick]

Couple quick questions...

Are you checking the oil after just warming up idling or after riding? My SE can go from the bottom of the sight glass when warmed up at idle to the top after riding it for ~15-20 minutes. The Adventure goes from bottom of the dip stick to Max under the same conditions. This is on a fresh oil change when I know no oil has been consumed or leaked. The CTE (Coefficient of Thermal Expansion) must be huge on Motorex oil!

Also, Are you checking the oil like a Honda, or like a KTM? Honda technique is to remove the dip stick, wipe it, re-insert but don't screw it down, then remove and check. KTM needs it screwed all the way back in after wiping the first time, I think -or at least that's how I've been doing it.

[duncb]

I screwed it in - katy-m style. there was a spec on th etip of the stick.

I rode it for 5-8 mins maybe?

it sounds a little noisy though - so I'm thinking i should stick about 1/3 of a litre in. warm it up for longer and then check?

[Yardstick]

It's an LC8. They're all noisy!

I thought of another one... Did you have it level and on the center stand?

It could just be a little low from the dealer not topping it up all the way. I have also heard of these bikes consuming a little oil early in their lives then less as time goes on.

If you're sure it's low, I'd say to put in ~250ml and take it for a good ride (at least 20 minutes and beyond neighborhood speeds) then check again. It's too easy to overfill these things.

[duncb]

I also had it running without my helmet one so maybe it is just normal...

It was on the centre stand in my garage.

the oil really was non existant though - I'll stick a tiny bit in just in case and then run it - not too hard though - then check again - then add if necessary - then run it hard (yardstick told me too officer) and then check again...

[cpmodem]

Is the low oil pressure idiot light working? If its low oil pressure, the light will come on when there is less than 9 psi. As long as there's oil in the oil tank, the one-way valve in the oil line is working, and the filter is not clogged, the pump will supply oil pressure to the engine. Different levels within the oil tank don't result in oil starvation under "normal" situations.
Just sayin'

[duncb]

Thanks for all the pointers...

It took 300ml and is now good after a long hot ride, on freeways, city streets and then a long idle before checking again.

D