Oil fill level

[Rusty McNeil]

It was talked about somewhere recently about over filling the oil slightly to get rid of the low level light.

All this time I had thought it WAS overfilled slightly because the middle of the sight glass was where it was supposed to be.

I have always brought it up to the top of the sightglass and nary a light.

For the first time ever today I actually noticed that there are marks/lines in the metal around the sight glass that clearly show acceptable high and low levels just like a dipstick on a car.


When I fill my car it always gets filled to the highest "acceptable" mark on the dipstick so I guess it's ok on the bike too?

 

[Lew L]

Hey,
I've always filled the Max to the max on the window. Those of us who have those old slow ZX11's will even fill a bit above the top of the site glass as oil drain back may be a problem in these kwakers.
The oil disapears shortly after starting the motor and I don't think that the crank is hitting and splashing the oil if you've raised the level 1/2" or so.
Lew

 

[113s&s]

my 06 oil sight glass is always full when bike is level even under rpms sight glass stays full Manual calls for 4.02 quarts think thats to high a level....do the newer max take more oil ?

 

[maleko89]

Yeah, it's a bit high. There are two marks on the right side of the window in the casing. The level shouldn't be above the upper mark.

Mark
#1098

 

[113s&s]

Yeah, it's a bit high. There are two marks on the right side of the window in the casing. The level shouldn't be above the upper mark.

Mark
#1098

when bike is running or motor off

 

[4gasem]

OATA

Engine off and on level ground and NOT on the center stand or the side stand. Just hold it level.:thumbs up:

Wouldn't hurt to let it sit for a few minutes and let the oil drain down a bit too.

 

[113s&s]

OATA

Engine off and on level ground and NOT on the center stand or the side stand. Just hold it level.:thumbs up:

Wouldn't hurt to let it sit for a few minutes and let the oil drain down a bit too.

ya i turn my bike off hold it level and glass is full.... tilt it.just off center to kickstand side and you can see the oil line

 

[forestdaledave]

When I change my oil and filter I put 4 quarts in the crankcase and let it go. I don't need to add oil before the next change is due. At a certain point it becomes a non-issue. I have my front dropped down an inch so that throws off the sight glass. Plus I have filled it to the upper level and then looked at how much oil is left in the last quart container. Maybe a quarter cup or less. Hardly enough to cause any problems. When I first got my max I read posts about how the red light coming on was an indication on the tune. I quickly figured out that the red light coming on was a indication of how much oil is in the engine.
Dave

 

[one2dmax]

very rarely will you get 4 quarts back in after an oil change. This is a considerable amount of oil caught in areas that don't drail well (transmission area and others). Typically I only see a little over 3 quarts when doing an oil change. 4 quarts on a brand new engine.

Running in the middle or the bottom of the window will get oil a little lower in the crankcase and thus improve power slightly. I personally like to fill to the top line.

Also, the oil level light will go out with the first quart of oil when added to a new engine usually. It is a level light and not a pressure light so the bike running or shut off makes no difference.

Sean Morley

 

[113s&s]

very rarely will you get 4 quarts back in after an oil change. This is a considerable amount of oil caught in areas that don't drail well (transmission area and others). Typically I only see a little over 3 quarts when doing an oil change. 4 quarts on a brand new engine.

Running in the middle or the bottom of the window will get oil a little lower in the crankcase and thus improve power slightly. I personally like to fill to the top line.

Also, the oil level light will go out with the first quart of oil when added to a new engine usually. It is a level light and not a pressure light so the bike running or shut off makes no difference.

Sean Morley

top line has to be very very close to 4 qts with a filter change

 

[shawn kloker]

very rarely will you get 4 quarts back in after an oil change. This is a considerable amount of oil caught in areas that don't drail well (transmission area and others). Typically I only see a little over 3 quarts when doing an oil change. 4 quarts on a brand new engine.

Running in the middle or the bottom of the window will get oil a little lower in the crankcase and thus improve power slightly. I personally like to fill to the top line.

Also, the oil level light will go out with the first quart of oil when added to a new engine usually. It is a level light and not a pressure light so the bike running or shut off makes no difference.

Sean Morley

A bunch stays up in the heads too.