Getting a flat surface for Oil Level check - harder than it looks!

[vonny232]

Hi Folks,

perhaps a daft question, but something which is frustrating me is how sensitive the Oil Window is to slight variations in the level of the floor.

For example, I put my bike on the centre stand yesterday and the Oil level looked almost empty. I then turned the bike around 180 degrees (on the same spot) and repeated, and the Oil level was almost full.

To the eye, there was barely any noticeable difference in how upright the bike was, and barely any way of telling how flat the floor was.

How do folk ensure the bike is 100% upright? Are there any flat surfaces I can put a spirit level up against? Any other ideas?

[Kiwifruit]

Dont use your centre stand.
Get rhe missus    to sit on the bike while you check the oil level.   

[vonny232]

Cheers for the tip, but that isnt always possible 

Is there any part of the bike which is level with respect to the sump in order to use a spirit level (such as the head of the engine)?

[grog]

Mate, i never worry too much. Just stick in right amount at oil change. You can hold bike reasonably vertical on your own to check, not centrestand.

[Tony Nitrous]

I've checked mine on it's wheels, on just a rear paddock stand, on both back and front paddock stands, with and without it's 30mm rear jack-up kit.

I don't worry about it.

If I can see something on the window all's good.

Not something I over think on any of my bikes, the brand new one, or the last 50+ bikes.

[seth]

As @Tony Nitrous says as long there is oil in the window all good .
If it's slightly high that's better than slightly low but as long as the bike is close to upright and in the most level surface you can find (without going mad a sport level isn't required your eyes are good enough)
Then check every now and then I check mine when I'm cleaning the bikes and it never seams to change hardly at all between services .
The main thing with the gsx1400 is regular (every 4000-5000 miles) oil and filter changes .

[Cykik]

If you've got level surface put the side stand down. I find that a brick from a block paved drive fits under the side stand ; keeps the bike upright & stable enough to check oil level.

[vonny232]

Cheers. Are people suggesting the centre stand cannot be trusted to make the measurement?

[Kiwifruit]

Vonny, you sit astride the bike, reach down and take a photo of the oil window with your phone.

[Andre]

Center stand is fine. No need for bike to stand "perfectly" front/rear level . However, it is important that it does not tilt to either side.

If one end of the oil level is high, the other one is low. Divide the difference by 2 and subtract that from the high or add to the low. No need for a measuring device either, just use your eye and mind.

[seth]

@vonny232
I wouldn't put much faith in Facebook keyboard hero's that know everything about nothing .
The advice here is from long standing owners (im on my 7th gsx1400 and have been my main bikes since 2002 with loads of miles on them all )and very high mileage owners (hooli has been to the moon and back on his bike) and the advice is perminant you can come back and check what every one says then make up your own mind .
Nobody here will tell you shite there maybe slight difference of opinions on things (mainly oil,tyres things like that) but nothing far away from each other.

P.S. on the centre stand the oil will look like it's slightly low but as long as it's at the marks it'll be just fine as even if it is very slightly high isn't a problem at all.

[Speedy1959]

My two penneth..
I always check my oil in the same spot on my drive..
I do use the center stand but initially when I get a new bike I put a spirit level across the frame rails with the seat removed..
In my case the Suzuki needs a quarter inch "shim" wodging under the left center stand foot to make her level..
I have a 12" bar of metal thats around quarter of an inch thick and this makes it totally level..
My shim is used routinely..
I only ever use the spirit level the first time..

S

[erbas]

@vonny232
I wouldn't put much faith in Facebook keyboard hero's that know everything about nothing .
(hooli has been to the moon and back on his bike)
Nobody here will tell you shit.

distance to the moon is  250.000 miles. And back another 250.000. So I guess hooli is still on the way...

[KiwiCol]

@vonny232
I wouldn't put much faith in Facebook keyboard hero's that know everything about nothing .
(hooli has been to the moon and back on his bike)
Nobody here will tell you shit.

distance to the moon is  250.000 miles. And back another 250.000. So I guess hooli is still on the way...

Wonder how many tanks of fuel you'd need?  and are they strategically placed in space for refills?

[KiwiCol]

Just worked it out, 2,000 tanks.  Approx 44,000 - 45,000 Litres.   Around 80 oil changes using 380L oil.   Wonder if you get a discount for buying in bulk?