Why is my oil window empty while motor is on???

[outlawfox13]

Just like the title says. Why is it when the bike is running the oil window is empty?

When I go start for a ride it is always half way, but when on is is empty???

Any one?

[hikermikem]

...because all that oil is now in the system & not all drained and sitting at the bottom of the crankcase.

[earlfor]

Just like the title says. Why is it when the bike is running the oil window is empty?

When I go start for a ride it is always half way, but when on is is empty???

Any one?

If the bike is more than about 1 1/2 pints low on oil, none will show in the oil window when the bike is not running. When the bike is running, there is about that same amount in circulation. Consequently, none shows in the window.

Earl

[posplayr]

OK I will hazard a guess.

When the engine is running the oil pump generates pressure and starts pushing oil up through all of the passages and oil galleries. This oil originates in the oil pan which is where the oil resides that you see through the window.

Once the oil pump starts pushing oil it sucks the oil pan level down and the full window is exposed. Your engine is not empty or low just using the oil that accumulates in the pan when observed at rest.

The above is just an educated guess.

[Calvin Blackmore]

Just like the title says. Why is it when the bike is running the oil window is empty?

When I go start for a ride it is always half way, but when on is is empty???

Any one?

if its to the full line on the centre stand and appers to be empty one assumes the oil system is pressuirized and doing its job.

I have neve checked mine whilst running but it does appear lower on shutdown than it does after sitting for a bit

oil is draining back down out of the valve train I expect.

[outlawfox13]

Thank ya'll that is what I was thinking, but I thought I would atleast see some. OK cool now I feel better, I am a handy mechanic on car, but I am learning bikes now. I am glad I got a GS to learn on and good people like the ones on this site.

[woodsietx]

This is no different then checking the oil in a running car engine. All those oil passages in a motor are full of oil (one hopes) and the crankcase volume has to drop accordingly. If it's running, you cannot get an accurate level reading.

Woodsie

[jwhelan65]

Where should it be when the engine is cold? how far up the window?

[outlawfox13]

Half way between F and L

[outlawfox13]

This is no different then checking the oil in a running car engine. All those oil passages in a motor are full of oil (one hopes) and the crankcase volume has to drop accordingly. If it's running, you cannot get an accurate level reading.

Woodsie

That and oil will start to spray out

[Calvin Blackmore]

Half way between F and L

dude top off that thing to F

on a long hard run high RPM run you may burn enough oil off to cause a oil starvation condition.

[earlfor]

dude top off that thing to F

on a long hard run high RPM run you may burn enough oil off to cause a oil starvation condition.

NO, you dont want to do that. Put the amount of oil specified in the bike.
The full mark is not the "fill to" mark, it is the maximum allowable amount before you have to concern yourself about blowing gaskets or oil out the breather tube. Its like tire pressure. Most tires will accept a max psi of about 42, but that does not mean that is the correct inflation pressure.

[earlfor]

dude top off that thing to F

on a long hard run high RPM run you may burn enough oil off to cause a oil starvation condition.

No, you dont want to do that. Put the amount of oil specified in the bike.
The full mark is not the "fill to" mark, it is the maximum allowable amount before you have to concern yourself about blowing gaskets or pushing excess oil out the breather tube. Its like tire pressure. Most tires will accept a max psi of about 42, but that does not mean that is the correct inflation pressure.

If there is the correct amount of oil in the system, oil starvation is not possible due to lack of supply.

Earl

[Calvin Blackmore]

No, you dont want to do that. Put the amount of oil specified in the bike.
The full mark is not the "fill to" mark, it is the maximum allowable amount before you have to concern yourself about blowing gaskets or pushing excess oil out the breather tube. Its like tire pressure. Most tires will accept a max psi of about 42, but that does not mean that is the correct in inflation pressure.

Earl

I respectfully disagree. Max full in oil is nothing like max tire pressure.
Tire pressure range allows for changes in loads on the tires.

Oil at the full line should pose zero risks.

[earlfor]

I respectfully disagree. Max full in oil is nothing like max tire pressure.
Tire pressure range allows for changes in loads on the tires.

Oil at the full line should pose zero risks.

Perhaps, but does it accomplish anything? The output volume and pressure from the oil pump will be the same regardless of how much oil is in
the reservoir. There is nohing to be gained by exceeding the specifications.

Earl