Oil use and which oil?

horse27 · Post by **horse27** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:55 am

G'day ...

Only just got it so bear with me:

How much oil do they use normally? (2002 - BCR - 9000 miles)

I commute 15 miles each way every day - cold starts at the moment - then 70 miles each way to my good lady's place at the weekends. Was told (by dealer) that they don't use oil ... but I am sure my level is dropping already (3 weeks).

Also - give me a quick run down on how to check oil ... I am currently running it, leaving it for a few minutes and then checking. Centre dot is the correct level yes?

Lastly, which oil? I always use Halfords 10/40 semi with lots of changes. OK for Boxers too?

Cheers, L.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:10 am

Halfords oil is fine - I used it for over 30k in my old R1100R.

My '04 BCR uses approx half a litre every 3000 miles - this is quite low consumption for the mileage. I use Harley-Davidson mineral 20w50 which works a treat.

Your dealer's talking bollox - the vast majority of Boxers use oil. Fact. How long this goes on for from new (ie does it stop doing so by 10, 20, 30k?) is dependant on many factors: From personal experience it comes from switching to synthetic oil at too low a mileage and/or babying the motor too much when new.

I got my bike with 2.5k on the clock back in June - it was using approx 1/2litre per 1000 miles. I switched to the mineral stuff and rode the bike hard. Oil consumption has now, at 10500 miles, dropped to the figure mentioned above.

To check the oil properly, take the bike out for a run getting it good and hot (a 3 mile spin isn't long enough). Come back home and leve the bike on the sidestand for 15 mins or so. Go back to the bike, level it up and check the sight glass. I've found this the most consistently reliable way of checking it.

horse27 · Post by **horse27** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:47 am

Thanks ... put my mind at rest ... I guess I have done getting on for a 1000 miles now and I would say 0.5 litre is needed but I need to check it properly tonight. Mineral oil and a good caning is on the cards then

winger · Post by **winger** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 7:04 pm

Dont use oil?? jesus thats a good'un.

BockingBandit · Post by **BockingBandit** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 7:51 pm

Look on the brightside Lee,... at least you don't have to change the stuff as often as you did on the KTM.

(Oh,..totaly non-Boxertrix related, .. Big Al has just chopped his 'Speed-Triple' in for a Tiger 955i, .. something a little more suited to his inside-leg measurement.)

C Ya Soon, .. Geoff

horse27 · Post by **horse27** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:54 am

Ha ha ... yeah, it did have a sump the size of a thimble. God bless the LC4 engine.

Good - that's sorted then ... they burn oil and dealers are dubious (I am so nieve!)

Ooh, Triumph Tiger ... I like those. Good choice.

Thanks chaps ...

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:17 am

I've fed the BCR on bog-standard mineral oil since I got the bike at 240 miles and it has now done around 15K. It did use oil for the first 10k or so, but now it's fairly frugal

Bit of a pain in the wotzit checking it though

Al

Dog Tyred · Post by **Dog Tyred** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:44 am

Blackal wrote:
Bit of a pain in the wotzit checking it though

Al

I here that. I like the idea of taking the bike out for a good thrashing to heat the oil up only to find out when you get back that you have none

And thats assuming that you have someone to hand to hold the bike upright while you grovel around on the floor with a torch trying to see the level window which is conveniently hidden behind the bellypan

BMW

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 10:05 am

I can recommend the following method for checking the oil:

1 ) Mount bike.
2 ) With bike upright, right foot firmly planted - kickup side stand with left foot.
3 ) Take digital camera from pocket
4 ) Lean upper body over to left with camera in left hand
5 ) Take photograph of oil sightglass.

6 ) Return camera to pocket
7 ) Kick down sidestand using left foot
8 ) Dismount bike
9) Check photograph.
10) Add a "cupfull" of oil.
11) Repeat 1-10 as necessary

Brilliant

Anyone want a photo of my left leg??

Al

(yes - I did try the above

)

POB · Post by **POB** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 10:08 am

Will it work with a cemera phone?

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 10:32 am

POB wrote:Will it work with a cemera phone?

Oooohhh! Don't you talk posh

or is it an

Al

Stevie · Post by **Stevie** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 10:43 am

My solution is simpler.
1. Put bike on main stand
2. Bend down and check sight glass.

Dog Tyred · Post by **Dog Tyred** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 11:41 am

Stevie wrote:My solution is simpler.
1. Put bike on main stand
2. Bend down and check sight glass.

OK... take off you main stand, build a small extention around the engine and then try it.

POB · Post by **POB** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 12:34 pm

ha ha! or maybe that should be "haw haw"

BockingBandit · Post by **BockingBandit** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 5:52 pm

So,.. to summarise,.. you need to acquire one of the the following items:

1. A digital camera/cellphone camera
2. A paddock stand/centre stand
3. A reilable mate to hold the bike

Q: Were 'dipsticks' really that complex?