Oil Consumpsion

[BrianB]

Getting ready to put the bike away for a couple months. I changed the oil and was surprised at how dirty it was. When I got it in Septmber this year, the PO had said it had all fluids changed and the oil was full and looked good. Also have only gone less than a thousad miles since I have had it. Anyway in that usage time, I was 3/4 of a quart low. The engine does not leak or any visible signs of smoke. Is this normal or excessive oil usage?

Also replaced the spark plugs. Cylinder 1,3,and 4 were black carbon fouled and number 2 was a nice tan color. Is this normal or does it show one cylinder running lean and the rest running rich or an out of sinc situation?

Getting ready to do the middle and final drive gears. Do not have the tool to measure the oil levels but I think there is a template somewhere on the site here.

[BrianB]

I just made a template from the one I found on the site here. The final gear oil level was good and the oil actually looked great. Should I still change it?

The middle gear oil looked as good but according to the template, mine is over full by at least 3/4". Is that bad to be that full or could the template be wrong? I did the measurements acurately when making the template.

[skids]

That is a bit high for the middle gear oil. If it isn't puking oil anywhere (like the small breather tube) then it might be OK. About the oil being black, running rich can cause that and you are a bit rich on three cylinders. I wouldn't panic as long as the plugs aren't becoming fouled and not firing. Out of synch, filthy air filter, mal-adjusted float levels are just a few possibilities there. 3/4 of a quart in a thousand miles? I wouldn't panic there either!

Originally posted by BrianB
I just made a template from the one I found on the site here. The final gear oil level was good and the oil actually looked great. Should I still change it?

The middle gear oil looked as good but according to the template, mine is over full by at least 3/4". Is that bad to be that full or could the template be wrong? I did the measurements acurately when making the template.

[mro]

3/4 of a quart in a thousand miles? I wouldn't panic there either!

My XSes other than leaks,,,use NO oil between changes.
1K and 3/4 quart to me seems XSive but not something I would be trying to fix if it was the rings, guides yes tho...

How many miles on your ride ???


mro

[fredintoon]

Hi mro,
according to the Rolls-Royce service tech giving us apprentices a lecture 50 years ago, if your vehicle's oil level doesn't drop
over time, what it means is that the rate at which the oil is being consumed is equal to the rate at which it is being diluted by fuel leaking past the piston rings.

[petejw]

Hi Fred,
I was taught the same thing
al be it was bout 20 yrs ago. :-)

[mro]

Except for one XS, all my riders have 15,500 miles or less (today).
Sold the G at just over 33,000 (had about 10/11K when I got it.

If your having to add a significant amount of oil between changes (3,000 miles)...something be wrong.


mro

[BrianB]

And what about the middle drive gear being over full. Will it damage anything?

[mro]

middle drive gear being over full

No vent, not a good idea...
Middle drive gets hot, lube expands.
If no where to go could leak thru a seal which would be bad news.

Most likely would have to be significantly over filled to be a problem. Little over the dip stick should not hurt.



mro

[pggg]

Modern bikes don't use oil because you're 'sposed to change the oil about every two weeks, ha ha, for the middle drive unit, it's got oil channels in there, the cogs stir up the gear oil and flows it to the left/right bearings and also to the rear shaft side as well from memory, maybe the oil level evaporated out the breather hose but probably was never full in the first place unless it's leaking out but doubtful