Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: bhodge10 on September 28, 2011, 02:01:27 PM
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So what is the proper way to check oil through the sight glass, is it up on the center stand in the normal resting position (front wheel on ground, back wheel up) or is it when the back wheel is on the ground (by pushing down on the back of the bike to lift up the front wheel)? I know it's a basic question, but I just want to make sure my oil level is correct.
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I don't think you will find much difference between the 2. So I just put it on the center stand leaving the front tire on the ground and check the sight guage.
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If you go by the book, you're sposed to hold the bike level and then check the glass. Easier said that done with one person.
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How do you know when it's level?
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I check mine sitting on the bike use one of those extendable adjustable mechanics mirrors to see where the oil level is in the sght glass works great.
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As others have said, with the bike "level" which is not on the centerstand. That said, it is really not that critical- I fill mine on the centerstand with the front wheel on the ground and try to stay toward the lower mark. When you push the rear end of the bike down, the oil in the sight glass will increase but not by that much. If you fill it until the level is in-between the marks on the sight glass, even with the front wheel on the ground, it won't be appreciably overfull when level.
Besides, what happens to the oil level when climbing hills? How about going down hills? See- it really is not all that critical. ;)
Brian
So what is the proper way to check oil through the sight glass, is it up on the center stand in the normal resting position (front wheel on ground, back wheel up) or is it when the back wheel is on the ground (by pushing down on the back of the bike to lift up the front wheel)? I know it's a basic question, but I just want to make sure my oil level is correct.
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How do you know when it's level?
Details? You're bothering me with details? :o
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Center stand, front wheel touching ground.
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How do you know when it's level?
When it doesn't want to fall over!
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Details? You're bothering me with details? :o
If we want to turn this into an epic thread, we'll need to go off on a tangent. This is a perfectly good starting point.
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If you don't start and run it for a few minutes, then let it settle for a couple of minutes before checking, you'll get a false reading.
;)
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Yes, even I can screw up....... :'( But enough about me....anyone for a good oil thread? Please......
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Mebbe not- we have been successful in discussing oil in some pretty long threads. For example, someone could ask if it was better to be over full or under full if using synthetic oil vs. mineral oil. If synthetic oil is better, we should need less of it, right? Is there a "goodness per quart" rating on oil? How much gooderer is synthetic oil. And so forth...
But I wouldn't mention any of that because this thread still has a pretty reasonable tone and if Mary Jane Tinklepants doesn't come along, it might just die out.
Brian
If we want to turn this into an epic thread, we'll need to go off on a tangent. This is a perfectly good starting point.
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Mebbe not- we have been successful in discussing oil in some pretty long threads. For example, someone could ask if it was better to be over full or under full if using synthetic oil vs. mineral oil. If synthetic oil is better, we should need less of it, right? Is there a "goodness per quart" rating on oil? How much gooderer is synthetic oil. And so forth...
But I wouldn't mention any of that because this thread still has a pretty reasonable tone and if Mary Jane Tinklepants doesn't come along, it might just die out.
Brian
Not if I have anything to do with it. ;D
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If we want to turn this into an epic thread, we'll need to go off on a tangent. This is a perfectly good starting point.
trudat
Speaking of balance, I wonder who here can sit on their stopped C14 the longest without putting a foot down? I can do about 5 seconds with no wind. It's not pretty though...
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Yes, even I can screw up....... :'( But enough about me....anyone for a good oil thread? Please......
Say it ain't so Jim, say it ain't so!
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trudat
Speaking of balance, I wonder who here can sit on their stopped C14 the longest without putting a foot down? I can do about 5 seconds with no wind. It's not pretty though...
About a tenth of a second for me...
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Say it ain't so Jim, say it ain't so!
It's true.
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trudat
Speaking of balance, I wonder who here can sit on their stopped C14 the longest without putting a foot down? I can do about 5 seconds with no wind. It's not pretty though...
I can do it for a second or 2 on my DR 650 but I don't even try it on my connie.
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Wait a minute, are you saying that you put your feet down sometimes? No need for that and having to do so usually means you fob is leaning to one side or the other. Straighten your fob and the bike will not be able to fall over.
Brian
trudat
Speaking of balance, I wonder who here can sit on their stopped C14 the longest without putting a foot down? I can do about 5 seconds with no wind. It's not pretty though...
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Wait a minute, are you saying that you put your feet down sometimes? No need for that and having to do so usually means you fob is leaning to one side or the other. Straighten your fob and the bike will not be able to fall over.
Brian
No good can come from a crooked fob.
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You can get a level app on your smart phone. Just level the phone, then put the fob on top of the phone. That should level your bike quite nicely.
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But I wouldn't mention any of that because this thread still has a pretty reasonable tone and if Mary Jane Tinklepants doesn't come along, it might just die out.
try mentioning the K-word... you know what they say about sharks and blood 8)
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It's really very, very easy to check the oil. Just sit on the right side of the bike, grab the handlebar and rear peg bracket, and rock it toward you. Requires no strength at all. FAR less effort than putting it on the center stand, and the center stand has to be on perfectly flat ground if you want an accurate reading (not the case in my garage.)
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True but there is that other thread about the failure in Sturgis that would draw them first. That should give everyone in this thread time to get away safely.... :-)
Brian
try mentioning the K-word... you know what they say about sharks and blood 8)
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OK, fresh from the 'how wide a tire' thread. That makes me think- does anybody know how wide a funnel a C-14 will take in the oil fill hole?
Brian
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80,000 comedians out of work. Inevitable that some would migrate to the Connie forum.
As noted, on or off the centerstand doesn't make much difference on the reading. To confirm this for yourself, just check it both ways, and thereafter do it the way that is easiest for you. I tend to fill towards the middle of the sight glass, but there is a range there for a reason. The reasons is so that bored people can debate over how full to fill the crankcase, of course.
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80,000 comedians out of work. Inevitable that some would migrate to the Connie forum.
As noted, on or off the centerstand doesn't make much difference on the reading. To confirm this for yourself, just check it both ways, and thereafter do it the way that is easiest for you. I tend to fill towards the middle of the sight glass, but there is a range there for a reason. The reasons is so that bored people can debate over how full to fill the crankcase, of course.
you just hit the nail on the head. Engineers and manufacturers spend countless resources in developing an engine that can cope with a range of oil amount, so that people can enjoy not only the ride, but the talk about it afterwards (or before, or instead). You have to love them... :hail:
On second thoughts, I wonder how much cheaper the C14 would be if Kawasaki could spare that 200+ people working on the oil amount range, instead of just letting the bike work with the precise quantity and not having to design everything with tolerances. Ahhhhrrggg... (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-angry019.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
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it'll be 'aight ;D