Oil sight glass weirdness

[MFP]

Did a oil and a oil filter change last weekend following the owner's manual exactly as well as some pointers from this forum the S10 forum over at ADVRider.
Used a OEM oil filter and Motul Synthetic 10W40.
After the old oil was emptied out I poured 3 liters in till it showed a slight puddle in the sight glass. I started the engine up and let it run for 8 minutes, shut it off and let the oil settle for about 10 minutes. Topped it off so the oil was a bit higher than the middle of the low and high marks in the sight glass.
Went for a 170 mile ride today and when I got home and was cleaning the bike up I took a look at the sight glass and the oil level is higher than when I did the service last week.
The oil level in the sight glass is now a smidgen below the high mark, here is a pic:

My question, is this level okay or do I need to drain some of the oil out?
I have a ACD skid plate on which is not conducive to oil draining or oil changes.
BTW, I did the FD oil change as well using Yamalube Shaft Drive Oil.

 

[Xclimation]

There is little rhyme and reason with the sight glass and oil level. To get the most accurate; one needs to have the bike running long enough to get to I believe 165 degrees F. The bike has to be on the center stand and perfectly level. (I did mention...perfectly level?) Even doing this....You'll get a reading....then follow the exact procedure again....and you'll get a different reading!!! My suggestion would be not to worry (Even though I still look at it just about EVERY time before I start the bike!!!) What I do to placate myself is to measure with a measuring cup exactly how much oil I drain at oil change. I even measure exactly how much I put in. The best we can do is just look for sign of low oil such as a leak, running too hot, etc.

 

[Ramseybella]

It's good...
Note the two bars on each side of the glass (High and Low)?
I have had mine completely cover the glass, then next day it's below it..
You will drive yourself insane trying to figure it out.
My way of oil change is side stand pull plugs pull filter set up on centre stand drain more.
Put on side stand and finish, new filter and pour a quick gallon of oil.
Meaning once you poured the oil in don't let it completely empty leave the residual oil in the jug.
That's me you may want to be by the book, 87k and never had a problem..
It's actually more important to look at it half way before the next oil change.
If it's passing oil rapidly out your exhaust and getting below what appears to be a normal level you may want to get her checked.
Other than tire pressure and gas..
We don't have the RIDE MORE WORRY LESS smiley guy anymore!

 

[MFP]

There is little rhyme and reason with the sight glass and oil level. To get the most accurate; one needs to have the bike running long enough to get to I believe 165 degrees F. The bike has to be on the center stand and perfectly level. (I did mention...perfectly level?) Even doing this....You'll get a reading....then follow the exact procedure again....and you'll get a different reading!!! My suggestion would be not to worry (Even though I still look at it just about EVERY time before I start the bike!!!) What I do to placate myself is to measure with a measuring cup exactly how much oil I drain at oil change. I even measure exactly how much I put in. The best we can do is just look for sign of low oil such as a leak, running too hot, etc.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[MFP]

It's good...
Note the two bars on each side of the glass (High and Low)?
I have had mine completely cover the glass, then next day it's below it..
You will drive yourself insane trying to figure it out.
My way of oil change is side stand pull plugs pull filter set up on centre stand drain more.
Put on side stand and finish, new filter and pour a quick gallon of oil.
Meaning once you poured the oil in don't let it completely empty leave the residual oil in the jug.
That's me you may want to be by the book, 87k and never had a problem..
It's actually more important to look at it half way before the next oil change.
If it's passing oil rapidly out your exhaust and getting below what appears to be a normal level you may want to get her checked.
Other than tire pressure and gas..
We don't have the RIDE MORE WORRY LESS smiley guy anymore!

Thanks for your reply as well.
Not quite sure what you meant by this:
"Meaning once you poured the oil in don't let it completely empty leave the residual oil in the jug."
Could you please elaborate for me.
I picked up my '13 S10 in late June of this year with a tad over 7800 miles on the clock.
My S10 now has about 8400 miles (this Summer in NY has been a rainfest!) and as I mentioned in my original post I did the oil/oil filter/final drive oil change last week. I am aware there is a different aspect with the S10 regarding oil because of the sump and that different oil levels
will appear in the sight glass but I just want to be sure and on the safe side.
Although I have been riding street for over 30 years my new to me S10 is the first bike I have purchased that has fuel injection, ABS, traction control etc., etc..
I am kind of addicted to carbs, spokes and kick starters but I am absolutely smitten with my pearl white '13 S10!

 

[EricV]

The previous two posts are excellent. I will add that the Super Ten is a DRY SUMP motor. This means it has some oddities. The Yamaha folks love their oil level lights, not oil pressure lights. You're fine. The sight glass is best used to see if the goldfish are still alive, and not much else. Unless you have just the right temp, it will show something less than accurate. Drain out the oil, pour 3.6 quarts in, (3 liters works fine), and ride.

A little low, a little high, who cares, it's a DRY SUMP motor. That means that no matter what you do, there is about a quart of oil in the engine at any given time and no more or less. The rest is in the sump/oil bag/secondary containment area. Doesn't matter how much is there as long as the oil in the engine is good. Just cycles thru it more or less often depending on the amount present in the complete system.

 

[MFP]

The previous two posts are excellent. I will add that the Super Ten is a DRY SUMP motor. This means it has some oddities. The Yamaha folks love their oil level lights, not oil pressure lights. You're fine. The sight glass is best used to see if the goldfish are still alive, and not much else. Unless you have just the right temp, it will show something less than accurate. Drain out the oil, pour 3.6 quarts in, (3 liters works fine), and ride.

A little low, a little high, who cares, it's a DRY SUMP motor. That means that no matter what you do, there is about a quart of oil in the engine at any given time and no more or less. The rest is in the sump/oil bag/secondary containment area. Doesn't matter how much is there as long as the oil in the engine is good. Just cycles thru it more or less often depending on the amount present in the complete system.

Thanks for your reply and I appreciate your style in how you broke down the explanation.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Thanks for your reply as well.
Not quite sure what you meant by this:
"Meaning once you poured the oil in don't let it completely empty leave the residual oil in the jug."
Could you please elaborate for me.
I picked up my '13 S10 in late June of this year with a tad over 7800 miles on the clock.
My S10 now has about 8400 miles (this Summer in NY has been a rainfest!) and as I mentioned in my original post I did the oil/oil filter/final drive oil change last week. I am aware there is a different aspect with the S10 regarding oil because of the sump and that different oil levels
will appear in the sight glass but I just want to be sure and on the safe side.
Although I have been riding street for over 30 years my new to me S10 is the first bike I have purchased that has fuel injection, ABS, traction control etc., etc..
I am kind of addicted to carbs, spokes and kick starters but I am absolutely smitten with my pearl white '13 S10!

He means by residue in the bottle using slightly less than four quarts. Site glass looks perfect. Tomorrow it may be perfect at the bottom of the glass.

 

[Ramseybella]

1. residual
re·sid·u·al
riˈzijo͞oəl/
adjective
remaining after the greater part or quantity has gone.
2. fuss
fəs/
verb
gerund or present participle: fussing
show unnecessary or excessive concern about something.

 

[Ramseybella]

You think the S10 oil level chasing is nuts, try owning a triple Triumph with a stupid black dip stick...

 

[MFP]

1. residual
re·sid·u·al
riˈzijo͞oəl/
adjective
remaining after the greater part or quantity has gone.
2. fuss
fəs/
verb
gerund or present participle: fussing
show unnecessary or excessive concern about something.

Thanks, I think?

 

[Ramseybella]

Thanks, I think?

In a nut shell you can pour a full gallon into this bike and it will not effect it.
Yes it does contain some oil but not enough to overfill it unless you didn't drain it till it just comes to a few drips.
I just do it on the side stand grab the crash bars and tilt it straight up a little more will drool out and back down on side stand.

Go have a fun ride this bike will not fail you...

 

[ADKsuper10]

i agree with all points above. The dry sump with a sight glass isnt the most precise thing so best not to worry. Empty out as much as you can, pour 3.6qts in and call it a day. If no leaks or burning it will all still be there till the next oil change. Sight glass is good for spot checking before a ride.

 

[MFP]

Another 105 miles today and when I returned home I again checked the sight glass and it showed the oil level now
resting above the high mark.
Yikes?

 

[EricV]

Another 105 miles today and when I returned home I again checked the sight glass and it showed the oil level now
resting above the high mark.
Yikes?

STOP CHECKING THE SIGHT GLASS!

Seriously, it's got oil. If the oil level was low, the "low oil level" light on the dash would come on.

What you're not getting, (apparently), is that the sight glass is only accurate under the very specific instructions in the owner's manual. Going for a ride does NOT meet those criterion.

 

[Talltourer]

KISS principle.

Bike is warm, center stand, let it rest for 1-2 minutes. There is oil over the minimum mark in the sight glass. Good enough.

 

[MFP]

STOP CHECKING THE SIGHT GLASS!

Seriously, it's got oil. If the oil level was low, the "low oil level" light on the dash would come on.

What you're not getting, (apparently), is that the sight glass is only accurate under the very specific instructions in the owner's manual. Going for a ride does NOT meet those criterion.

It's all good, I am not manically checking the oil just making an observation. My S10 is new to me as well as it's engine oil protocol.
I clearly get what was told to me by all the folks including you.
I could change the subject and mention the Helmet Hook that I added, the new Quad Lock iPhone 7 holder as well as the TechSpec tank pads
that were installed today by me.

 

[Talltourer]

I could change the subject and mention the Helmet Hook that I added, the new Quad Lock iPhone 7 holder as well as the TechSpec tank pads that were installed today by me.

Love my Quadlock. The case on my S8+ is slim and it fits/locks so damn nicely and easily. And it's strong enough that if I ever need to worry about it getting latched off, odds are i'll have many other things to worry about like the tires not being in the pavement and the bike being in a pretzel kinda deal

Hope this never happens.

 

[MFP]

Love my Quadlock. The case on my S8+ is slim and it fits/locks so damn nicely and easily. And it's strong enough that if I ever need to worry about it getting latched off, odds are i'll have many other things to worry about like the tires not being in the pavement and the bike being in a pretzel kinda deal

Hope this never happens.

This afternoon I went to my favorite motorcycle gear shop and was all set to buy the Hondo Perfect Squeeze phone mount unit but it was suggested to me my one of the folks at the shop to check out the Quad Lock and once I saw its functionality I was signed, sealed and delivered.

 

[EricV]

I could change the subject and mention the Helmet Hook that I added, the new Quad Lock iPhone 7 holder as well as the TechSpec tank pads
that were installed today by me.

We have a thread for that! "What did you do to your Tenere today?"