Checking oil level on sidestand

[chronyx]

Assuming that the oil level is correctly on maximum, and that bike is parked in the same way every night, on the sidestand, is there any reason why it is not feasible to record where this corresponds to on the dipstick and simply check the oil in the morning like with a car rather than all this running for 5 mins, waiting, balancing, checking, re-checking, topping up, running again...

Obviously it won't be that accurate but knowing that it's near maximum is good enough for me, and lots quicker. Never seem to get a consistant reading or oil usage pattern out of my bike anyway!

Any technical reason why not?

[AlanH]

I don't think the oil will reach the dipstick with the bike on the side stand will it? Other than that possible hitch, the plan is flawless

[chronyx]

I'm sure it does just about but will check...and take your word on the 'flawless' aspect

[The Pheasant]

Someone somewhere else on the site said they checked the oil level as prescribed when hot, got it correct, then checked with the bike upright and level the next morning when cold and then used this as the reference thereafter to save time. Should work, but then why don't Honda design the oil level to be checked that way in the first place? I guess that the hot oil check offers a check on any oil leak that might have sprung suddenly... or if fuel runs through the carbs into the sump and raises it

[chronyx]

I wonder if the level was the same...propping the bike upright after a run would be easy enough. It's a two man job getting it on my 'portable' centre stand...

[YEN_POWELL]

I wonder if the level was the same...propping the bike upright after a run would be easy enough. It's a two man job getting it on my 'portable' centre stand...

I remove the dip stick, wipe it on the cat, slap a very small rectangular plastic spirit level on top of the petrol cap and standing on the opposite side to the sidestand, pull the bike towards me until the bubble shows the bike is level.

Then I 'dip the stick' whilst keeping an eye on the bubble.

I wish I could be bothered to fit my centrestand!

[chronyx]

A spirit level? Now that's dedication!

No wonder the last one did over 100k

[YEN_POWELL]

A spirit level? Now that's dedication!

No wonder the last one did over 100k

It sounds more fussy than it is. Just helps me know I'm always at the same angle when checking the oil. I do usually check daily though. Sometimes after I get home in the evening after the bike hasn't run for 5 minutes (oil hot), sometimes before leaving in the morning (oil cold). That's how I know the level differences.

[african twin]

[quote=YEN_POWELL;323949]I remove the dip stick, wipe it on the cat, slap a very small rectangular plastic spirit level on top of the petrol cap and standing on the opposite side to the sidestand, pull the bike towards me until the bubble shows the bike is level.

Ahhhhhhh I don't have a cat

Will a hamster do?

[YEN_POWELL]

[quote=african twin;324008]

I remove the dip stick, wipe it on the cat, slap a very small rectangular plastic spirit level on top of the petrol cap and standing on the opposite side to the sidestand, pull the bike towards me until the bubble shows the bike is level.

Ahhhhhhh I don't have a cat

Will a hamster do?

The problem with hamsters is they are difficult to fold around both sides of the dipstick without them breaking. This can mean having to get a new hamster every few days and proves uneconomic, even when the higher price of cat food is considered.