How much oil?

Message

SDuncan · #1 Unread post by **SDuncan** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:31 am

I don't have a manual yet for my bike. I am wanting to do an oil change before putting it away for the winter and I need to know how much a 1000cc bike is likely to take. I just want to be sure I buy enough when I go.

mydlyfkryzis · Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:21 pm

anywhere from 3 qts to 6 qts. Depends.

Might help if you told us the year, brand and model of the bike.

flynrider · Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:48 pm

Don't just guess. Find out how much is supposed to go in there. See this recent thread for reasons to avoid overfilling :

http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopi ... highlight=

Many bikes I've owned have the oil capacity inscribed on the oil cap or on the case next to the cap.

SDuncan · #4 Unread post by **SDuncan** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:55 pm

It is a 1989 Kawasaki ZX10. I will check by the cap but I don't remember seeing anything there.

SDuncan · #5 Unread post by **SDuncan** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 3:07 pm

I found a little bubble on the side of the crankcase and it has "Oil 4L" inscribed under it. I drained out the old oil and changed the filter and got nowhere near 4L of oil out of the bike, more like 3L. I put 3L back in and the oil level is at the top of the bubble. The bike is on the centre stand and I even put a piece of wood under the front wheel to make sure it is level. My question is, should I put the 4th litre in? There is no dipstick to check the oil level by, so if I put the 4th litre in, how will I know if it gets low? It would seem that it could use a whole litre before it shows different in that bubble.

#6 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 3:11 pm

There should be an upper fill mark on the side of that bubble window. My 1600cc Kawasaki takes less than four quarts after an oil and filter change, so I doubt yours takes even more.

BuzZz · #7 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 3:25 pm

It may depend on the method they want you to use to check it. Many bikes want you to sart and warm the engine up, then shut it down and check the level in the window. Some(not many) want you to check the level while idleing. The level will look lower with the engine running that with it not running.

Or..

There was still a litre or so of old oil left in the motor when you drained it. Either it needs to be leaned forward a bit to drain, or the oil-coolers and lines are holding that much..... sumpin' like dat.