how much oil does this GS 550 take???

[Sick Steve]

I got an old 1981 GS550, this is my first bike and I am still relatively new to bikes.

I changed the oil and filter yesterday, and I am still uncertain just how much oil needs to be in this bike.

right below the oil cap, "2400 ml" was stamped on the transmission case, so I assumed that was the oil capacity, but I poured that in, and I still didn't see any oil in the little window on the bottom. Then I poured some more in (up to around 2700ml total), and still no oil in the window...

so whats the deal?

[n1elkyfan]

Where you checking the level when the bike is on the centerstand

[Calvin Blackmore]

did you change the filter as well
with a filter change there should be a bit more oil

and do have it on its centre stand not side stand\

[Griffin]

I don't ever worry about the amount I dump in, I only go by the window.

Put the bike on the centerstand, dump in a couple quarts, then slowly start pouring in the third quart. Every few seconds, stop and check the window. You'll see the oil flowing down and disappearing under the glass. Once the oil stops disappearing, slowly add oil to get the level to the "full" mark (about 3/4 of the way up the sight glass). If you changed the filter and drained the oil thoroughly, you might use up all the third quart, and need to open a fourth. That's fine.

Take the bike for a 2-5 minute spin around the block, and then park it on the centerstand again. Wait about two minutes, then check the level. If it's below the "full" mark on the window, add enough oil to get it there.

I always give the oil window a check every time before I go for a ride. It takes three seconds to put the bike on the centerstand (I always park it in my garage that way anyway), and it's cheap insurance against engine damage.

[Sick Steve]

I didn't have it on the center stand, thanks for that. I got it on the center stand, and its a little above full, will that cause a problem???

also, when I drained it, 4 liters came out of it. Would too much oil cause a problem. I have a little trouble starting it cold...

[Griffin]

If there's still space in the top part of the window, it'll be fine.

Cold starting is more a condition of either air/fuel mixture to lean in the pilot circuit, or valve clearances. If you haven't checked your valve clearances, you should do that.