Proper way to check engine oil level gs 850 L 1983 ?????

[JerseyJohn]

I am a new owner of a GS 850 L and do not have an owners manual or shop manual yet. I need to know the correct way to check the engine oil level. On the side stand? On the center stand? Motorcycle level with tires on the ground? Also, what is the oil refill amount with an oil filter change? Thanks.

 

[sharpy]

download a manual here plse.... http://gsarchive.bwringer.com/ and Tyres on the ground with bike upright

 

[Guest]

The manual gives a convoluted routine that has you start the engine then shut it off and wait a minute or three. I don't know why you can't simply have the bike on the centerstand and look in the window.

The official refill capacity (with a new filter) is 3.9 quarts, but I just dump in the whole gallon. Can't see that the extra 12 ounces have hurt anything.

 

[sharpy]

Bike on the center stand has the wheel 1-2 inchs from the ground and not level. Does make a difference.

 

[Brendan W]

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

Pretty much everything is here. Differences for exact models are slight.

 

[sharpy]

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

Pretty much everything is here. Differences for exact models are slight.

Already showed him that sorry to say

 

[Dogma]

On the center stand of just upright on the wheels. Either is close enough. Yes, they're different. Definitely not on the side stand. On the side stand, the oil is so low you can take the clutch cover off without draining the oil. You may want to know that someday.

 

[bwringer]

On the center stand of just upright on the wheels. Either is close enough. Yes, they're different. Definitely not on the side stand. On the side stand, the oil is so low you can take the clutch cover off without draining the oil. You may want to know that someday.

Agreed on all points.

Unless you have a level along with a trustworthy shop assistant or mirror, checking oil level in the window while holding the bike up is impractical. The centerstand on a reasonably level surface is safer and repeatable. Any difference between the centerstand level and standing on the wheels is negligible.

I generally try to keep the oil level in the top half of the window. Unlike a few other bikes, the roller bearing engines aren't all that picky about oil level as long as there's some in there.


Another thing you may want to know someday is that if the bike is on the centerstand, only an ounce or so of oil will come out when you remove the stator cover. There's absolutely no need to fart around with leaning the bike the wrong way or putting boards under one side of the centerstand.

 

[tkent02]

Extra oil doesn't seem to hurt anything. Been putting a little extra in the ones that use oil for years, hasn't hurt anything. I think it may help the stators last longer too.

 

[yank]

Extra oil doesn't seem to hurt anything. Been putting a little extra in the ones that use oil for years, hasn't hurt anything. I think it may help the stators last longer too.

L's do not need oil! Fixed it for you tkent.

 

[Grimly]

With bike on the sidestand, and you standing on the right side of it, grip the brake lever to the bar and pull the bike upright. Bend down and look at the window.
It's good enough.

 

[tkent02]

L's do not need oil! Fixed it for you tkent.

Oh, It's an L? What a waste of good motor oil.

 

[jitenmazee]

Hey Grimly, thanks for sharing the information. Actually i was also looking for the information regarding checking engine oil level.

 

[Guest]

...On the side stand, the oil is so low you can take the clutch cover off without draining the oil. You may want to know that someday.

That is nice to know. I just hope I can remember it if/when I need to get to the clutch.

 

[Dogma]

...
Another thing you may want to know someday is that if the bike is on the centerstand, only an ounce or so of oil will come out when you remove the stator cover. There's absolutely no need to fart around with leaning the bike the wrong way or putting boards under one side of the centerstand.

Eeenteresting. I hope I never need to know that again.

 

[eil]

The manual gives a convoluted routine that has you start the engine then shut it off and wait a minute or three. I don't know why you can't simply have the bike on the centerstand and look in the window.

Because if you don't do it the right way, there won't be the correct amount of oil in the engine. Not sure what's convoluted about it.

 

[tkent02]

Once you learn the correct oil level, and ensure you have the right amount, then look in the window with a cold dead engine. May have to tip the bike away from the window side to see the top of it. Anyway once you know that's your level.

On the other hand, the convoluted process is pretty easy to do if you're not trying to read it out of some manual at the same time.

It's really not all that critical, as long as you don't go way too full or run it dry. I've been running the leakers and the oil smokers a little bit overfull for 30 years, it hasn't hurt anything. Have also ran them low quite a few times, that didn't hurt much either. Running it so low you are losing oil pressure is asking for a cam to chew into it's bearing, a piston to come off a rod, or some such similar malady. More expensive that a quart of oil for sure.