[probably dumb question] checking oil by yourself?

[noudidnt]

Wow...what did you do to it this time........getting new rims??? Is that a current picture? I see you took the front rotors off too...

[ZX-12R]

(Btw, I tried the balancing thing. Couldnt find it. Bike fell over 4 times - once on me. I'm OK though. Maybe I need new tires???)

Actually old tires work the best. To make it even more stable, give your rear tire a healthy burn-out before checking. This squares off the profile and gives you extra stability.

[DucDave]

Actually old tires work the best. To make it even more stable, give your rear tire a healthy burn-out before checking. This squares off the profile and gives you extra stability.

Makes sense...thanks

[BostonSVkid]

umm when the bike is on the sidestand kneel down on the side the site glass is on. grab the seat and the handlebar/clip ons and pull the bike toward you or push it away depending on which side you are on. balance you bike on its balance point and check site glass. If bike starts to tip one way or the other pull it or push it in the direction of the side stand so if it does go over it will stop on the sidestand. If you cant check your oil give me your SV and I will take good care of it.

[Kham]

Wow...what did you do to it this time........getting new rims??? Is that a current picture? I see you took the front rotors off too...

that was couple years ago changing tires.

[markbvt]

and why would it matter having the oil sit around? i'll be starting it periodically, but i can't imagine having oil sitting around for 3mo being any different than oil sitting around for a couple days, even if it has 3k mi... i might be wrong, though.

3000-mile-old oil has a lot of noxious combustion byproducts in it. If you leave it in over the winter, these can begin to eat away at internal engine components, shortening the life of the engine.

Also, you want to avoid starting the bike during the winter unless you're going to be riding it long enough to thoroughly heat the oil (usually around 20 miles, to be safe). If you don't get the oil hot enough, water condensation will be trapped and can further contribute to engine deterioration.

--mark

[richw]

Go in front of a police station

Due a 20 second burn out smoke show.

Stop the motor and wait 5 minutes.

The now flat rear tire will glue itself to the pavement and hold the bike up.

Get off and check the oil level.

[RandyO]

If you are worried, just get a friend to hold it level while you look. Takes all of 2 seconds....

I'f your always serious then why to fuck did you respond to a thread where the guy wants to be able to do it by himself

I'd be willing to bet he already knows how to check the oil when help is available

[Kham]

Also, you want to avoid starting the bike during the winter unless you're going to be riding it long enough to thoroughly heat the oil (usually around 20 miles, to be safe). If you don't get the oil hot enough, water condensation will be trapped and can further contribute to engine deterioration.

--mark

idling for 20minutes or so is not hot enough? 20 miles ride?

im gonna not follow this procedure and just idle and maybe put on the stand in gear.

[Honclfibr]

idling for 20minutes or so is not hot enough? 20 miles ride?

im gonna not follow this procedure and just idle and maybe put on the stand in gear.

Just rev it up in sixth gear and dump the clutch, you'll have covered those 20 miles in like 5 minutes.

[RandyO]

idling for 20minutes or so is not hot enough? 20 miles ride?

im gonna not follow this procedure and just idle and maybe put on the stand in gear.

Idling will not put out enuf electricity to recharge the battery the amount that was drained just starting it

[markbvt]

Also, idling an engine for 20 minutes is not very good for it.

--mark

[Doc]

But if he does it in a closed unventilated garage it might be good for the rest of us.

[bigred875]

hey Al, you got zx10 don't you?

wow, you are a daring fellow. I'd atleast up jackstands under the cases

[Kham]

Idling will not put out enuf electricity to recharge the battery the amount that was drained just starting it

true!

i did it all winters since i got the bike. sometimes once in two weeks. battery is still pretty strong.

[CEO]

Change the oil at the end of the fall... then just let the bike sit for the winter with battery on a tender and none of this 'start and warm it up for 20 minutes every few weeks' business. Then in the spring, ride it for several hundred miles then change the oil again.

But if he does it in a closed unventilated garage it might be good for the rest of us.

nice.

[Kham]

actually i think i tried to start it up once a month just so i don't feel out of touch. i've been feeling not interested lately. anybody feel this way?

[Honclfibr]

actually i think i tried to start it up once a month just so i don't feel out of touch. i've been feeling not interested lately. anybody feel this way?

You don't bring me flowers anymore

[beet]

yes it is;
Possible and a dumb question.

Read your owner's manual per chance?

The sv650 will either have a sight glass or a dipstick. Not sure which.

Seems this bike has a sight glass & a dipstick.

[noudidnt]

actually i think i tried to start it up once a month just so i don't feel out of touch. i've been feeling not interested lately. anybody feel this way?

Dont worry Kham...we can get you hooked up with some Ciallis...It should bring your interest back up

[Kham]

You don't bring me flowers anymore

i'll send you flowers, a thong, and bra. what size do you wear?

[Honclfibr]

i'll send you flowers, a thong, and bra. what size do you wear?

Extra medium.

[Crash Dummy Denno]

Extra medium.

that's not a size.

[breakdirt916]

OP: I used to have this problem too, and while I never solved it, I did change the oil frequently enough, with the correct amount of oil, that never leaked out, that I was confident there was enough oil to begin with. So if you can't get a friend to hold it/check it, can't get stands to hold it up straight, can't get some ratcheting tie downs on rafters, then just prep the bike for winter, and change the oil (with the right amount) come spring.

[Currently]

Seems this bike has a sight glass & a dipstick.

Sight Glass is located on right side of engine.
Dipstick is on the seat holding the throttle.