swamp2 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 15, 2019 2:57 am
+1 on the Mobil 1 15W-50. Easy to find, reasonably priced and pretty much encompasses the viscosity range of every bike I've ever run. When you have a few bikes of different configurations it makes life a bit easier to maintain inventory of just a single oil type. And I've yet to have a wet clutch object to it.
With that said, the PO of my '12 C5 gave me a jug of Motul 15W-50 semi-syn, so I used that when I changed its oil a couple days ago. But it'll be the Mobil 1 from here on out.
Yup... I completely agree and do the same.
OlBilford wrote:Speaking of oil,I have noticed in other forums...people still need help figuring out how to check the oil in these things...and I’m of the opinion, in concept it’s simple as pie(which is complicated really) yet it never works out the way it’s supposed to. Maybe a tech article? I’m reasonably savvy at mechanics,yet I still have issues with such a task... I like motul oils..btw...don’t know why I just do.
That's a fine oil to. A bit expensive for what it is I think ? But It's not readily available to me where I am ... There are so many good oil's out there that I can get locally , that I don't have to order it. So everyone's perspective might be different.
Really, people over the years have confused and convoluted the whole checking the oil level thing that it boggles the mind. Over thought and over scrutinized I tell ya.... I don't blame you for being confused.
If your out on a ride and just want to check your oil level ? Pull over and shut the bike off. Let it sit there for a few minutes to drain back down. You can even put it on the side stand ... Oh my gawd !
Go have a smoke , or go into that store , bar or restaurant or whatever. When you come back , just grab the right side handle bar and cover the front brake . Hold the brake and pull the bike to center.... crouch down if you have to and look at the sight class. Give it a few seconds for the oil to to level off .... and it will ! And make sure the oil is in the middle of the glass.
If you want to do it when it's up on the center stand... remember the act of throwing it up on the center stand throws the oil all over the place inside that motor. So you have to run it to recirculate the oil for a bit , and then shut it off and let it settle back down and look at that level after a few minutes.
In either case , the bike must be level to get an accurate reading..... a very little lean either left or right will skew the level. There is only a couple/few ounces difference between the bottom of the sight glass to the top. So if your bike is level and you see oil in the glass no higher then about half way up that glass ? Call it good. If ALL you see in the site glass is oil when the bike is level ? Your over filled ... and that excess oil will likely blow out into your air box when your up at higher revs and fouling your air filter.
Checking the oil level when you change it ?....
After the old oil has been drained out and your all buttoned up with your plugs and new filter and etc. Assuming your bike is on the center stand or if for some reason you don't have one... that the bike is level.
Dump in your first quart of oil down that funnel . Then dump in another half a quart. THEN... slowly start pouring in a bit at a time as you watch that sight glass. You'll notice the oil level come up in that sight glass, and when you do ... STOP pouring and watch it. The level will drop a bit at first .. and let it settle. Common sense , right ? Then pour slowly or splash in a little bit at a time as you watch that sight glass. And STOP when it levels off in the middle of the glass. It's very easy to over fill it if you are not watching and paying attention. And like I said.. there is not very much difference in the amount of oil between the bottom of that glass and top. Once it's settled at the middle of the glass... start the motor and let it run a couple/few minutes. At this point you'll see the oil level drop a bit , or gone completely from the glass. Then shut the motor off and let the oil drain back down a gain for a couple/few minutes. You will likely find that your oil level has dropped a touch. Just splash a little bit more back in and get it back to the middle of the glass.... and call it good !