Crazy Oil Consumption

[scotty]

Was going out on the bike last night and the oil light kept on after the motor was started. Switched off and put the bike on it's centre stand for a while where the oil level was showing just above the low level mark on the sight glass. I could'nt believe it. 1,000 miles ago I embarked on a 2,000mile trip which involved a lot of hard riding and the bike did'nt use a drop not even a cc. Now after a further 1,000 miles of mixed riding the oil level has nearly dropped off the scale ! It's got me really confused as most bikes would have used oil on the long trip and less on short runs.

[Cobbster]

Hi Scotty,
Maybe, and this is just a maybe, the 2000 miles of hard riding thinned the oil out and it might just need fresh stuff to restore your former consumption rates???!!!

Cheers, Cobbster.

[sproggy]

Was going out on the bike last night and the oil light kept on after the motor was started. Switched off and put the bike on it's centre stand for a while where the oil level was showing just above the low level mark on the sight glass.

The oil light indicates low pressure, not low level. If the oil is just above the low level mark there's plenty to provide sufficient pressure so the light staying on (for how long?) indicates a problem other than oil consumption.

Checking the oil level when cold after running the bike for a few seconds is not representative - warm it up fully and then check it and you may well find that it's used less than you think.

[scotty]

Point noted Sproggy. I only had the bike running for 15 - 30 seconds when the oil light stayed on. Now I've topped the oil up the red light goes out as soon as the engine is started.

You really need to check the sight glass like a hawk though as it's very easy for the oil to run off the bottom level. Part of the problem is the oil capacity of the engine and sump is quite small so a small amounts of oil difference show up as quite a large movement on the sight glass.

[sproggy]

I only had the bike running for 15 - 30 seconds when the oil light stayed on.

15-30 seconds? Ouch....

[bigblackfalco]

The oil pressure switches are pretty crappy. I remember changing mine on a regular basis.
Also check the contact area on the connector.
Bailey.

[overipe&keen]

I've got one I bought and never used for my 1100s. Now don;'t need it as have different bike. Your welcome to have it and it's only a small job to fit it.

[scotty]

Thanks for the offer overripe&keen. The oil pressure switch is working ok and all is well. It's a fact though that we all need to watch that oil glass and keep topping up whenever it falls lower than the max level. It's going to be interesting monitoring the oil consumption over the longer term as I intend to keeping the bike for a long time. It's only done 43K at the moment.