Oil?

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buddhacide
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Oil?

#1 Unread post by buddhacide »

Ok, noob question deluxe here. Can I add more oil without necessarilly changing the oil outright? Despite that I just had it changed recently, my buddy told me today I needed some more. Can I mix motorcycle oils without any issues?
Current: 2008 Vulcan 900 custom
Previous: 1999 V-star 650 custom
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#2 Unread post by ZooTech »

While it would be preferable to top it off with more of what's in there, it won't hurt anything to mix as long as what you're adding is of the proper type for your bike.
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#3 Unread post by buddhacide »

Thanks. Also (again super noob). Is it possible to putt too much in?
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sight glass for accuracy

#4 Unread post by Ken »

I'm not sure about the 1999 V-Star's but the 06-07's have a sight glass. It's hard as heck to find if you don't know it's there, but left side, near your shifter is a small glass peep hole that has scribe marks for high / low to view the oil level. Make sure the bike is perfectly upright center when you check it (and I'd have a friend help unless you have a long handled mirror (my method) to view it while siting on the bike!
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#5 Unread post by ZooTech »

buddhacide wrote:Is it possible to put too much in?
As long as you have the necessary motor skills and dexterity to tip a quart bottle of oil, yes. :wink:

Seriously, though, you absolutely can add too much oil and it is a very bad thing. Check your sight glass when filling.
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#6 Unread post by Lion_Lady »

ZooTech wrote:
buddhacide wrote:Is it possible to put too much in?
As long as you have the necessary motor skills and dexterity to tip a quart bottle of oil, yes. :wink:

Seriously, though, you absolutely can add too much oil and it is a very bad thing. Check your sight glass when filling.
Keep in mind that oil will take a while to run down to the sight glass (don't pour and watch for the level to rise in the glass). It is better to add some, then run the engine then check and add again if needed. Run. Repeat.

Hopefully your manual tells how long you should wait after turning off the engine for the oil to settle where its supposed to.

Had a friend add almost 2 QUARTS too much oil to his BMW. Blew out gaskets and filled the air box with oil. That was an expensive fix as the bike needed to be towed to the dealer because it would NOT run.

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#7 Unread post by ZooTech »

Lion_Lady wrote:Keep in mind that oil will take a while to run down to the sight glass (don't pour and watch for the level to rise in the glass). It is better to add some, then run the engine then check and add again if needed. Run. Repeat.
Totally unnecessary after the first run-and-check. Once the oil filter is full you can just add and watch the sight glass.

Lion_Lady wrote:Had a friend add almost 2 QUARTS too much oil to his BMW. Blew out gaskets and filled the air box with oil.
Lion_Lady wrote:BMWs are generally WELL taken of by their owners.
Well that theory's out the window...
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#8 Unread post by storysunfolding »

ZooTech wrote:
Lion_Lady wrote:Keep in mind that oil will take a while to run down to the sight glass (don't pour and watch for the level to rise in the glass). It is better to add some, then run the engine then check and add again if needed. Run. Repeat.
Totally unnecessary after the first run-and-check. Once the oil filter is full you can just add and watch the sight glass.

Lion_Lady wrote:Had a friend add almost 2 QUARTS too much oil to his BMW. Blew out gaskets and filled the air box with oil.
Lion_Lady wrote:BMWs are generally WELL taken of by their owners.
Well that theory's out the window...
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#9 Unread post by flw »

For the future, after a oil change ask the dealer/service place for a couple of quarts of the same oil, so you have it when and where you need it.
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#10 Unread post by buddhacide »

Valuable input guys thanks. Winterization's coming up soon so I think I'll hold off until then. Try to do everything right.
Current: 2008 Vulcan 900 custom
Previous: 1999 V-star 650 custom
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