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Lack of Oil Dip Stick
If we have to check the oil in a brand new Star motorcycle between oil changes at about 3,000 miles, then oil use is the least of our problems. After all it is not a 1959 Rambler American station wagon spewing out clouds of dark smoke from the tailpipe. We don't need a dip stick. I carefully measure the amount of oil that should be added at the oil change and leave it at that. If a catastrophe occurred where I lost oil the oil light will go one.
Oil level check
I too find the oil level window difficult to use. I asked a dealer if there was an aftermarket dipstick like I had on my Shadow and she said that there are internal obstructions in the way. I like the idea one reader gave, use a small wire tie to check the proper leve of 2.5 inches of oil.
The 1300 has an oil level window?
When I did my oil change, I measured 3.7 quarts of Amsoil (.2 for the taller oil filter) and ignored the oil level window. Just ride dude.
oil, we don't need no stickin' oil
If you use Mobil 1... maybe it was some other synthetic ??.... you can actually drain it all out and run perfectly well with just the small amount left inside. Hey, I saw it once on TV or the radio or something. The government monitors that stuff and it has to be true. There was no lawyer talk legal mumbo jumbo or anything at the end. It is as simple as that. Truth.
Steve
Oil Level
I love the shifter. But the oil level window is a complete waste of time. The designer of this window should be fired and offered a samuarai sword to commit Harri Kari. What's wrong with a good-old American dip-stick???
Re: oil window - heel/toe shifter
I’ll second that one Dave. I was a little leery when I first mounted my Nomad in 1999 but I got used to it real fast and I don’t even want to ride any bike without the heel/toe. I know I wouldn't buy one unless it was so equipped or could be modified.
As for the oil window…well, I’ve thrown my two cents in on this one before. Line up the designers and bury them alive as far as I’m concerned. I wonder if the astronauts have the problems we do to check the oil on the shuttle, or the space station. I think not!
Nil Sine Labore
Conrad.
This is a little off subject
This isn't what the post is about, but I have to respond to the shifter comment. I like the heel to toe shifter. I use the heel shifter at times and I think it adds to the looks of the bike. I have a pair of boots that the toe doesn't quite fit under the toe shifter and so I use the heel shifter. So it's not a worthless piece of steel to me. At times it serves me well.
Dave
Not to get off subject, (and
Not to get off subject, (and it isn't really), but I hated the heel shifter portion of the shifer. I cut it off. NOW I can easily check the oil level on my 1300. (one of the added benefits of losing that half of worthless steel).
I'm with you
I dont like the shifter.I only use the front toe part,and some time my shoe will hit that damned heel part and put in nutral when putting my foot on floor board..checking oil ,rest stand on 2 x 4 lean down with light and take a look,miirror works good ,i've got an inspection mirror on an extendalbe wand and can use it with the the light to check...no squating
Checking oil level
I attached a small rectangular makup mirror to a piece of 1/8" x 5/8" x 18" aluminum with adhesive and made a small bend near the mirror to provide a good angle to see while seated. Place it so that the mirror rests at the rear of the left floorboard and vary the angle as necessary until you see the window. I use a flashlight aimed at the mirror to illuminate the window and view the level. It is hard to find the window this way the first time but after a couple of checks it becomes easy.
Gobo
OIL LEVEL CHECK
I use a motorcycle jack by lifting the jack just enough to hold the bike level without actually lifting it. I then run the engine for a couple of minutes , then I shut it off and check it a minute or so later. So far its always been within the marks by the sightglass . Red1
Oil Level Check
I found the best way for me to check the oil level is with a mechanics extendable mirror. I just sit on my bike and put the mirror down near the sight glass and look in.
Thanks,Mike
oil indicator
Hey Ciffus!
It's funny that you ask. I tried to check mine, almost tipping the bike over on myself. I couldn't see a thing, other than the reflection of a piece of metal off the glass. So I rode out to Hitching Post and had a guy there check it with me. He apparently could see something.
very touchy.... very subjective
Checking your oil level and find that it is low? Well to avoid the expense, inconvenience, and enviromental impact of adding oil; just lean the bike about 1/8 inch farther to your left and the oil level will rise to the mid window normal level! Ok so that may not be prudent but it demonstrates how touchy the position of the bike is in checking the oil level window! Where should I place the level and/or plumb bob to ensure that the VStar is perfectly perpendicular to the earth when checking the oil? There has to be a better way.
oil level
I checked it for a friend , that white Harley that he lets me ride , he had a small leak and asked if I could check it and I just drained it put new oil recommended amount :) That was the priomary oil though, those wheel chockes they have for sale now would be great for that, safe if your alone too.
Wheel Chock
I bought one of those chocks from Harbor Freight to have the bike stand up straight parked in tight quarters in my garage. I can check the oil easily now without worrying about dropping the bike. I think the motorcycle industry changed over to the sight glass because calling someone a dipstick wasn't too polite. Now I suppose if a person wanted to say something mean to someone else they might call a person a sight glass? ~ Butch
The Okie Check
This Okie has to do the Hokie-Pokie in order to check the oil level. Maybe Yamaha thinks it will never get low. What ever happened to the good ole dip-stick? Oops, went away with the center stand.
Amen
Amen