Sight glass (and filter question)

[anotherbiker]

Ok, this might be a stupid question, but how do you see anything in that damned sight glass? It's so hidden away that even with a flashlight I can barely see the thing let alone whether there's any oil in it.

I'm planning on doing my first ever oil change on a bike (I'm new to this sort of thing), but don't want to do it if I can't reliably gauge whether the oil level is right after I finish, and as of right now I can't tell if there's any oil in it at all just by using the sight glass!

Maybe I'm not supposed to put it on the center stand when I check the oil level? But I've no idea how it is possible to hold the bike upright by hand and check that hidden sight glass at the same time!

Also, on a vaguely related note, are people changing the filter at the 4000 mile service? To do that I'd have to remove and refit my AltRider skid plate which will be a pain in the backside!

 

[silvergoose]

I measure 114 oz. of oil, pour it in and forget about it. 114 oz= 3.56 qt Yamaha required level. P.S. that is with a fresh filter.

I really do not bother the sight glass all that much, run a 1000-1500 miles, I will look. If there is oil in the glass all is good. If oil is not in the glass at 1000-1500 miles, it time to take it to the dealer, we got problems. I have never topped off the oil level between changes.

All engines and most mechanical devices consume some amount of oil, but I would rather be 2-3 oz down as to overfilling.

Good Luck ::021::

 

[Dogdaze]

There are various threads on this already. But, all I'll say is do not use the sight glass to gauge oil volume, if you look at the manual, it states that the bike should be on centerstand and at a certain temp, only then will you get a 'reading'. Drain oil on side stand (both plugs) drop the filter, I tend to lean the bike the other way and then back again just to get a few more mls out, then fill the prescribed amount. Sometimes a I get a reading sometimes I don't, but to get as close as an accurate reading as possible (bear in mind this is relative) run the bike, put on center stand, block under the front wheel so the bike is level and wait 2-3 mins for oil to settle.

 

[Juan]

As said above, the sight glass can play tricks on you. What I noticed is that when the bike has been running at normal operating temperature for some time (perhaps after a 10 mile ride) and the oil has reached its peak temperature, then leaving the bike on the side stand for 15 minutes before putting it on the centre stand will give consistent sight glass readings.

 

[yoyo]

It's a nightmare and about the only thing I don't like about the bike. Every other bike you take the ready from cold, I've followed the instructions and seen the sight glass full to the brim and completely empty!

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[anotherbiker]

Thanks for the replies!

Ok, so what I'm hearing is that the sight glass is useless/near-useless and so you're just supposed to fill it with the correct amount of oil at oil change time and then rely on faith between oil changes that the level hasn't dropped too low?

Seems as though that leaves much to chance, but I guess if that's what everyone else is doing with no issues I'll try not to worry about it.

 

[tomatocity]

Thanks for the replies!

Ok, so what I'm hearing is that the sight glass is useless/near-useless and so you're just supposed to fill it with the correct amount of oil at oil change time and then rely on faith between oil changes that the level hasn't dropped too low?

Seems as though that leaves much to chance, but I guess if that's what everyone else is doing with no issues I'll try not to worry about it.

If you have a 2013 or newer Tenere I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[AVGeek]

Since it is a dry sump motor, there is a procedure to checking the oil via the sight glass in the owner's manual. As I remember, it needs to be at operating temperature.

I also have the Alt Rider plate, and I do change the filter with every oil change (it's cheap insurance to me). The trickiest part is reinstalling the two small nuts and bolts at the front right side of the motor. I had welded the nuts on the front left side of the mount (due to clearance for tools), but later realized I could just remove the bolt from the top of the bracket.

 

[Pterodactyl]

Use a flashlight.

As mentioned, you will be wasting your time if you chase the oil level around the sight glass. If you see oil, then all is well. The level will be lower when the engine is cool, so be careful about adding oil based on a cold low oil reading. I've had BMWs with that use a sight glass and they behaved the same way as the ST's does.

Yes, I change the filter every time I change the oil. If I were only going to change one, then it would be the filter. The Alt Rider bash plate is not really very difficult to remove.

 

[WJBertrand]

I know that my sight glass always looks completely full with the bike on the centerstand (level ground), you can't see the upper level. It doesn't seem to matter if the bike is cold or hot. On the side stand the glass looks empty. If I start the bike from cold on the centerstand, let it warm to 140F or more and then shut it off as the manual instructs, checking 5-10 minutes later, I can then see the oil level.

I suppose the sight glass serves to show if there is significant loss of oil level. I kind of regard it as more of a warning light than a gauge.

 

[HeliMark]

Like everyone else, all I do is drain and replace the filter (also do the final drive), add 3.6 quarts of oil and ride 20 miles. If I see oil in the sight glass, I am good. The oil in the sight glass is all over the place for me until about 800 miles after the change. I recheck it after about 2K, and that is it.

But, if you do any cruising at about 80 mph or more, this engine will burn oil, and you should check.

It takes a couple of times to not want to chase the oil level. BTDT....

Mark

 

[regulator]

Thanks for the replies!

Ok, so what I'm hearing is that the sight glass is useless/near-useless and so you're just supposed to fill it with the correct amount of oil at oil change time and then rely on faith between oil changes that the level hasn't dropped too low?

Seems as though that leaves much to chance, but I guess if that's what everyone else is doing with no issues I'll try not to worry about it.

Remember an oil warning light comes on if your level gets too low. Mine came on once or twice before the bike was warmed up when the level was marginal. Added 4-6 oz and rode on.

 

[WJBertrand]

But, if you do any cruising at about 80 mph or more, this engine will burn oil, and you should check.

It takes a couple of times to not want to chase the oil level. BTDT....

Mark

I've heard this before but so far this hasn't been my experience. I took along a quart of oil on my summer tour last year, which included lots of blasting across Utah in high 90-100F temperatures at 80 + MPH. The whole trip was about 4500 miles and the level (when checked per the manual) did not change from before the trip.

 

[Juan]

Same here. Earlier this month I did a 2,000 mile trip in very warm weather, with around 1,400 miles on the motorway at 90-100 mph. I didn't notice any oil drop.

 

[WJBertrand]

I think the Gen 2 bikes got different piston rings. Maybe the oil use at 80 MPH is a Gen 1 thing?

 

[Bryn]

My 2014 has 6500 miles on it...not had to top it up once between changes ::008::

 

[Juan]

I think the Gen 2 bikes got different piston rings. Maybe the oil use at 80 MPH is a Gen 1 thing?

Mine is a 2013 model (Gen 1). As already said, no oil drop over a longish trip mostly on motorway.

 

[tomatocity]

I think the oil issue was resolved in the later 2012 run. I had a very early 2012 and it would oil the airbox constantly. At 15K miles I changed the air filter on my 2015 and it was virtually dry. I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[holligl]

Since it is a dry sump motor, there is a procedure to checking the oil via the sight glass in the owner's manual. As I remember, it needs to be at operating temperature.

Can someone explain the operation of the oil system for me? (dry sump, reservoir) I'm assuming the reservoir with the window holds most of the oil which is then pumped to the parts of the engine where it is needed. Is it filtered as it is pumped back to the reservoir from the sump?

I have struggled some with the use of the oil check window and this thread helps. (I'm used to engines with dipsticks that you check cold before you start them.)

 

[tomatocity]

Can someone explain the operation of the oil system for me? (dry sump, reservoir) I'm assuming the reservoir with the window holds most of the oil which is then pumped to the parts of the engine where it is needed. Is it filtered as it is pumped back to the reservoir from the sump?

I have struggled some with the use of the oil check window and this thread helps. (I'm used to engines with dipsticks that you check cold before you start them.)

The oil level should be between the bars in the window.

When replacing the oil filter add 3.6 quarts.

Read pages 7-12 thru 7-15 of your Owner's Manual.