Easy Way to Check Oil?

[ZLrider]

Maybe this is a no-brainer, please humor me. The only way I know to check the oil level by myself is to get off the bike, hold it up with one hand while I crouch down next to it. There has to be a better way. Crouching down is hard enough without balancing the bike at the same time. Damn I miss having a center stand.

Thought of putting small piece of plywood on the floor jack but how would I pump it while sitting on the bike? This would put the weight right on the exhaust though. Is this safe? I'd sure hate to mess up my pipes. Eye screws in the ceiling with some sort of hoist might work, but seems overly complicated.

 

[prfixer]

Mirror on a stick?

 

[87kawzl]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/General-To...P7kxwqqh0Atna4zzJahoCllAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Lighted inspection mirror

 

[R. J.]

That's a good idea. Nice find.

 

[ZLrider]

I have an inspection mirror on a telescoping wand. Not as fancy as the one shown, but seems the problem would be the same and that is you are not looking straight at the inspection window, but at an angle. The only way I can think of to look directly at that window would be with a video cam. I have one of those too. On a nice long cord, but I also have to have a computer nearby to hook it up to. This just seems like a lot of bullcrap to drag out to just check the oil. With the KZ650 sitting on it's center stand I checked the oil every time before I rode it. Hate to admit it, but now I hardly ever check the oil. I'm still leaking a little bit from somewhere I can't pinpoint so more concerned with it right now.

So am I alone here on this one or are the rest of you professional acrobats? I dunno, maybe it's a 600 only thing. I asked Bill before and he says he just balances the bike and gets off it. It's been many years since I dropped a bike and I'd like to keep that streak going.

 

[87kawzl]

https://www.harborfreight.com/1800-lb-capacity-motorcycle-standwheel-chock-61670.html

How I do mine if I don't have anyone around.

 

[markus56]

Center stand for the front wheel. That will get the job done!

 

[R. J.]

Referring to post #5. You can see the sight window just fine with an inspection mirror. I have one of those snake bore cameras made by Endo Snake. Mine is 1st gen. It was designed for inspecting the inside of a gun barrel. It plugs into a smart phone. Here is gen #2. https://www.amazon.com/DEPSTECH-Waterproof-Inspection-Megapixels-Smartphone/dp/B01MYTHWK4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=51F652W5GDFG&dchild=1&keywords=endoscope+camera&qid=1619444337&sprefix=endo,aps,223&sr=8-1 .

. Gen #3. https://www.amazon.com/Generation-T...ords=endo+snake+16+foot&qid=1619444696&sr=8-1 . _______________________________________________

 

[ZLrider]

Not trying to be bullheaded here, but geez, none of this seems that ez to me. I have a wheelchock, but it's mounted to a piece of wood and not very handy. Maybe my inpspection mirror is too small, but I could not seem to see the oil window very well. I'll try that again. The inspection cam is d0-able, but again what a huge pain in the ass: Boot up the computer. Find somewhere to set it where I can see it. Get out the cam. Mount it on something. Get it close enough to the bike. Check oil. Put all that stuff away. This all just seems ridiculous. I was hoping maybe was doing a brainfart and missing something simple, but I guess not. OK, now fess up. How many of you check your oil every time you ride? I always had that as part of my pre-ride inspection and now I usually don't.

I'd still like opinions on the idea of jacking the bike upright with a jack and a board under the pipes. I saw a home-made wooden jack online that seems easy enough to build, but is there anywhere underneath to jack this thing while staying off the pipes?

 

[R. J.]

Man you are making a mountain out of a mole hill !!! It takes me 10 seconds to check my oil.

 

[wuputt]

Just reach down with your phone and take a pic!

 

[R. J.]

Oh I don't know about that. Pic might be off, not bright enough, crooked, uneven, bent, upside down, color off or sideways. .

 

[R. J.]

I have 7 different rides. On and off rode. Before I ride I check the oil, check tire pressure, lube the chain and do a once over which consists of high and low beam, brake feel, horn, master cyns fluid level, blinkers/4 ways and both the front and rear brake light operation. I do all this while the bike is warming up.

 

[ZLrider]

I knew there must be an ez way. Thanks Wuputt you may just be the smartest guy here! At least I think your idea is the best one. Now why didn't I think of that?

Yesterday I tried the mirror and just like last time I can find the window, but it just looks dark. Was thinking maybe somehow I'd overfilled it. Guess maybe I never tried hard enough, but I found that if I sit on the bike and leaned down further than I thought humanly possible while rocking the bike I can see the oil in the glass. Not that ez to do, but it will probably get easier with time. I really hate to take off without checking everything I can. You just never know about these old bikes.

Spring sure has been a pleasant surprise here in the Hoosier this year. Got up into the mid 80s yesterday and I had the best ride I've had in a long time. After 2 years of fiddling with it, my baby is purring once again. Thanks for all the help and tips. If not for you guys I'd probably not even be riding. Been on two wheels for at least part of 6 decades now, hoping for a 7th!

 

[paulfun]

I just don’t get it?

I simply squat beside the bike, grab the bar with one hand the sissy bar with the other and push it upright and can clearly see the oil level.

 

[R. J.]

Yep. 10 second job.

 

[ZLrider]

Guess it's all in the technique. Figured I was missing something simple. Maybe it's just me, but I really don't like getting off the bike on the side away from the kickstand. Thanks for the help gentlemen.

 

[vinny]

Find a small length of wood the correct height to put under the sidestand to hold the bike level, and keep it under your seat!

 

[ZLrider]

Wow another simple idea that sounds like it's worth a try. Thanks Vinny. I just knew there had to be an ez and safe way to check the oil. I was able to eyeball it though last time, but I had to almost stand on my head. The bike doesn't really use oil, but I'm seeing some signs of dampness around the kickstand so I know it's losing a little bit somehow. I thought it was coming from the water pump, but now I don't think so.

 

[vinny]

I think around 1 . 5 inches or 40mm should be pretty close !