Any other way to check oil level?

[Dmajiq]

My viewing glass doesn't let me see anything! I can't tell where the oil level is at. i do know i have an oil leak and i'm werking on gettin' the fix on, and getting a new part for the glass thanks to BassCliff's website, all the best Cliff.

But back to my question, besides the viewing glass is there any other way of checking the oil level?

regards,
d-

[JEEPRUSTY]

Is the glass cloudy?
That would indicate moisture in the oil.

Show us a picture of this unreliable thing.

The glass is actually glass so it should not be hazy or anything like the brake fluid res. gets.

[Nessism]

Sight glass is glass? You sure? I thought it was plastic, but I don't know that for a fact.

[JEEPRUSTY]

Sight glass is glass? You sure? I thought it was plastic, but I don't know that for a fact.

I will go check but it would have to be an awfully hard plastic.

[mike_of_bbg]

As far as I know, the sight glass is the only way. Are you putting the bike on the center stand? Could it be over-full? Try putting some light down there?

There's a tip in this thread:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=176734&highlight=oil+sight+glass

about using a Kawasaki sight glass, which won't have the metal spider behind the glass, so it's easier to read.

[JEEPRUSTY]

So I went to my basement to check and found a nice upholstery tack.
It hurt terribly with any luck the small tip broke off and is working it's way into my plantar fascia.

Ahem a tap with metal indicates it to be vitreous.
An effort to scribe it also indicates to me that it is no plastic I have seen.

It was cold to the touch as well.

Now to make a tourniquet.

[chuck hahn]

If you get a new gasket and pull the cover you can clean the glass. Take some rubbing alcohol and pour the glass full and then use Q tips to go in between the slots in the retainer cage to clean it. reassemble and its good for another 30 years.

[JEEPRUSTY]

So I am not insane it is vitreous.

If it is a water layer hot it with a heat gun till the oil thins enough to let the water vapur escape.
if its dirt then do what chuck said.

[Dmajiq]

My bike has a wicked sense of humor~

I just went outside to see if i could take a picture while the sun is still up and NOW i can see the oil on the gauge. I'm pretty sure i wasn't looking at it when it was running, b'cuz i read somewhere it will be in the engine so i won't see it, but i'm not positive, uh! Such a rookie mistake

Still needs about 1/2 a quart more oil i think.

My bike doesn't have a center stand only the side one.

Sorry to disturb you guys on this one. I'll do better in the future...promise ;0j

[chuck hahn]

The slots are huge in the retainer basket, so moisture wont "collect" per say in there. After many years what actually happens is the heat/cooling cycles of the oil leaves a tacky scum on the inside of the glass that progressively builds and gets darker. At this juncture, nothing short of actual manual cleaning of the glass is gonna be of any effect.

[chuck hahn]

HOLD THE PRESSES...I repaet HOLD IT. First off... if you can see the oil while its on the side stand its already OVER FILLED. Go to the side and have someone hold the bike as close to perfectly upright as possible..I bet youll see the glass is totally full way past the "Full" marking. You MUST check the oil in the full upright position...always!!!

[Dmajiq]

OH! Good catch Chuck! I'll do that.
No riding it tomorrow so this weekend i can fix that mistake if i need to.

damn, damn, double damn! lol

[chuck hahn]

NO biggy...IF its way too full you can stick a small tube down along the clutch to the bottom of the sump and suck it out till the oil is at the full line. OR if its old oil and due for a change then just drain it and fill it in the right position. Be mindful that when you do a full oil and filter change you need to fill it to the line..start it for about 1 full minute then shut it off. Let it sit for maybe 5 minutes then top it off. You need to run it to purge the air out of the filter and the filter housing. follow me??

[chuck hahn]

What bike is this?? Try this place for a service manual....

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

[Dmajiq]

82 suzuki gs850g

i getcha. I just did an oil change but not the way you just said.

i got the bike, noticed it was burning oil when the guy who sold it to me rode up, so i figured first thing oil change and fix the leak. i did that and it ran pretty well for a while.

when i did the oil change maybe a quart of oil came out of the thing...scary...and i put a full gallon of oil back in, changed the oil filter, checked the air filter. the seller told me the valve adjustments had been done recently so i didn't mess with them, all new spark plugs and a carb synch.

i have the Clymer manual but it doesn't explain things as well as you do, Chuck.

i want the bike to run well. Would it be safe to just change the oil and the filter out again? The oil already looks dirty again....