Oil consumption, typical?

[Guest]

Hi,
I have been keeping track of my oil burn on my 82' /GS850L /28K miles. In 400 miles the oil went down about 2/3 between "F" & "L". The previous original owner did do a lot of short city trips. Curious how often other bikes drop to the "L" line. Other than the oil consumption the bike runs decent.
Also, I have been using T6 5w-40.

Good day,
Andy

[Steve]

Good bike, good oil, can't fault you for either one.

As I recall, it takes less than a quart of oil to bring the level up from L to F.

400 miles seems a bit quick to go through that, though.

Is the bike run regularly? Do you rev it up properly or keep in the lower RPM range?

.

[Mr.Mom]

I drive it mostly on country highways, so it gets a good workout.

[JTGS850GL]

If you don't see a lot of smoke then don't sweat it. Just ride it!

If you've just recently acquired the bike then run the heck out of it. Go up and down the power band to reseat the rings. Not uncommon for a bike that has sat for some time to burn oil until everything gets broken back in. My 1980 GS1000G and my 1982 GS850GL both would consume oil for the few hundred miles after I got them. Once I put over 1000 miles on each the oil consumption pretty much stopped.

[Mr.Mom]

I wish it were that simple, I have 2100 miles on this year. I guess I was curious what others have for oil burn.

[Crankthat]

I ride mine pretty hard 81 750L and it gets right up to red line very often with a couple of hundred miles a weekend with some weekends 500 plus just enjoying.
I think I have 23000 on the clock or so between the old speedo and what I have put on the replacement.
I have very little burn.

[JTGS850GL]

If you're concerned then do a compression test and report the results. Just remember that you must keep the throttle open when doing the test or it wont get above 90psi.

[Mr.Mom]

Hi,
Compression readings with the engine warmed up for 3 minutes:

#1= 139/9.77 #2= 141/9.91 #3= 138/9.7 #4= 139/9.77 psi / kg/cm²

[GS1150Pilot]

Those are decent figures. Have you done a cylinder leak-down test?

[tkent02]

There is no typical. Some burn oil, some don't. Oil burning is most likely the result of being babied during the original break in.

[hjfisk]

My GS1000G burns about a 1/4 -1/3 Quart of oil every 5-600 miles , it has done that since I got it 8 years ago. It had 15000 miles on it then, and 39000 on it now. It has never gotten any worse, or better and I ride it hard at times and easy at times , it just depends on who I'm riding with. Oil consumption in an air cooled motor is to be expected, as it also helps cool the motor

[Sandy]

That equates to roughly 1 quart in 2,000 miles. I would definitey not consider that bad especially for an old school air cooled engine. Some do better but a lot do worst.

[Mr.Mom]

Those are decent figures. Have you done a cylinder leak-down test?

I don't have the tools for that.

[Mr.Mom]

It took 16 oz/.47 L to fill back to the "F" mark. So it burns about 1 qt/.94 L every 800 miles It wasn't down to the "L" mark so it takes more to fill from "L" to "F".

[mrbill5491]

It took 16 oz/.47 L to fill back to the "F" mark. So it burns about 1 qt/.94 L every 800 miles It wasn't down to the "L" mark so it takes more to fill from "L" to "F".

I would call that, just some upper cylinder lubrication.