To run an engine, oil is a compulsory factor. It does not matter whether it is a motorcycle or a car. The absence of oil can sabotage a motorcycle easily. So, if there is no oil, an engine won’t provide its desired output. Therefore, a motorcyclist should know how to check the oil level on a motorcycle.
Checking the oil level on a motorcycle can be done on your own. I have been following this question for many years. Many beginners don’t have a clear idea. Although some people know it, they do not approach it properly as they should.
It is quite a simple process, but you need to be sure about some issues. It is essential to simply keep a few guidelines. I will give you some tips and a complete guideline for checking the oil level. Let’s go straight in.
5 Simple Steps To Check Oil Level On A Motorcycle: The Easiest Way
The oil level area is located on the underside of the motorcycle. With some motorcycles it is different. In general, most of them are similar. Below are the most important steps for correct verification, taking into account all security aspects.
Step-1: Position Your Motorcycle
This step is very important to be able to specifically check your oil level. It should be done on every motorcycle to check the oil level as the process is similar. Put your bike on a double stand. If you don’t have a double kickstand, have someone set the bike straight and level on the ground.
By doing this, the oil level will be equal. If you place the bike on the side stand, the perfect oil level cannot be determined. Otherwise, it is the right way to apply.
Step-2: Cleaning Of The Area
Before going any further, the area must be cleaned. Riding for days can cause lots of unwanted dust particles to stick. This powder also always collects unwanted problems. This helps keep dust off the surface while checking. clean it with a cleaning cloth. In this case, any type of fabric can be accepted.
If a rider rides without any cleaning, the dust could mix with the oil. In some cases, you see a fair amount of dirt. You may think that if no dirt is noticed, the process should continue. But this is exactly the opposite case, the amount of dirt cannot be identified with the naked eye, after all, it is better to clean it well.
Step-3: Check Through Oil Sight Glass
Some motorcycles have an oil sight glass to check oil levels. Thanks to an oil sight glass, the oil level is perfectly visible from the outside without any hesitation when opening. Very few are equipped with a counter to identify more precisely. With much more visibility, an experienced rider can detect easily. Don’t worry if your bike doesn’t have one, just follow the next step.
Step-4: Oil Dipstick
This step is the main step of all. The round corner cap you see at the oil level area is where the dipstick is present. Oil dipsticks are often misunderstood by riders. Some even proceed with the wrong step.
Begin by rotating the cap and with clean tissue paper, clean your dipstick properly. Remember to completely dry out the dipstick. Then, put it in without engaging the threads. If you engage, it may not catch the oil level precisely. Wait for a few seconds and pull it out again. Now, check your oil level correctly. After checking, simply put it back in.
Step-5: Closing
You might have checked the oil level and everything. But you forgot to close the cap properly. This could cause a big problem. After reinserting it, make sure it is tight and all wires are connected. Then clean the surface evenly. If there is a leak, look for dirt specks.
The above steps will benefit you more in checking your oil level. Ensure these steps and you will be beneficial.
What Factors Should You Bear In Mind When Checking The Engine’s Oil Level?
Apart from the fact that the process is very simple, there are several issues you need to consider before proceeding. Each procedure has its own rules and regulations and just like that, there are a few issues here to consider. Knowing these will benefit the most during the process.
- To check the oil level on a motorcycle, the engine has to be at operating temperature. The temperature depends on the oil level. A cold engine is not the right time to check the engine oil.
That’s the main reason it’s worth checking after a long motorcycle trip. Bring the engine up to operating temperature. Helps bring the oil level to a standard position. Take it easy if you don’t have the temperature.
- Every product comes with a user manual or a buyer’s guide. Verifying your user manual is important because a new design or a change can be exceptional for some users. To make it easy, they provide a guideline to follow.
4 Useful Tips To Check Oil Level On A Motorcycle:
Tips are the best kinds of hacks. Pursuing the tips below will allow you to check by saving your time and more effortlessly.
Tip-1: If your motorcycle is heating up too much, checking the oil level would be impractical. In that case, make it cool by shutting down the engine. Operate at a suitable temperature.
Tip-2: Having trouble checking the oil level with a dipstick is a common problem. Due to low eyesight, one cannot identify the oil level properly. Taking out a flashlight and putting it right behind will make it more visible.
Tip-3: A firm position is suitable for checking the oil levels. But, having no one or a double stand can cause a problem that can be solved by simply placing you against the wall. Just be aware the level is straight.
Tip-4: To get to the operating temperature, ride some kilometers by revving it up higher than usual. The engine will get a higher temperature to check the level.
Related Questions
Do You Check Motorcycle Oil Level With Engine Running?
To check the oil level, the engine needs a certain temperature. Because when the engine gets hot, the oil is suitable for testing. However, you cannot check whether it is too low or too high. Again, an overheated engine is unacceptable.
A running engine keeps the oil circulating. Therefore, oil is not stable at its average level. Therefore it is not possible to check while the engine is running. The ideal way is to check after 10 minutes of stopping the engine. No motorcycle allows this to be checked while the engine is running. The engine temperature is influential. As follows, it affects the oil.
It gets risky to check while running. If it is done, there is a high possibility of damage to your bike and oil may come out. Instead of getting a successful oil level check, other risks will appear.
Do You Screw In The Dipstick When Checking Oil?
Screwing won’t allow you to check the right oil level. It should be considered a no because, when you screw in the dipstick it picks the oil in an incorrect position and it misreads the level. Dipsticks are meant to measure the level of oil. In that case, it reminds me how much is present there. The right way is to put the dipstick without engaging the threads.
Cleaning is necessary when you pull it out the first time. Then, you have to insert the dipstick again without screwing it in. This helps the oil to gather around the dipstick perfectly. Perfection is obtained because of stability. Not engaging the positions of the threads is more stable than screwing it in. That is the reason why you should not screw in the dipstick when checking the oil.
Do You Check Motorcycle Oil On The Kickstand?
The kickstand doesn’t provide a firm position with the ground. To obtain the correct oil level, you need to place the motorcycle leveled. A kickstand places the motorcycle at an angle and you will get the reading of oil level at an angle too. That is not desired, which is why you need to put the bike on a double stand. It will position the bike perfectly stable at a straight angle.
Motorcycles get different, updated, and so on. Not every oil level system is the same. Exceptions may be there. But, the positioning of every motorcycle is the same. Checking oil levels on a kickstand can cause harm to oil too. Certainly, the angle can push some oil outside. Thus, you should be careful not to proceed with a kickstand. Otherwise, it may bring unwanted problems. Hence, moving on accordingly with the user manual will be more beneficial.
Why Should You Check Motorcycle Engine Oil When Warm?
A warm engine is the right time to check the oil level. More specifically, it requires it to be at an operating temperature. Operating temperature is the temperature of the engine where the engine is at a certain count of temperature that helps to regulate the oil level smoothly. Reading of the level is correctly determined at that time. Experts recommend checking only at this specific temperature.
According to many specialists, a motorcyclist should not perform any activity when the engine is extremely hot. Due to a lack of temperature control, it will fail to equilibrate. Not only experts, but all manufacturers provide these guidelines. Neither person suffers any damage nor the motorcycle. That’s why a warm engine is essential for checking the oil level, and a long ride is especially helpful.
Final Verdict
Oil level check on a motorcycle is just as easy as riding it. No mechanic or expert is needed. You can simply do it on your own. The important part is the issues you have to consider. Those issues benefit you by acknowledging the procedure more and more.
Just be cautious about applying every step. Although this is not a hard mathematical problem to solve. Hence, in many cases moving on accordingly with the user manual will be more beneficial.
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