For the last 2k miles or so I have been unable to check the oil on my bike, because the sight glass is so manky I can't see the levels or the markers!
Is there an alternative way to check oil (like dipping?) I don't want to have to fork out lots of cash for it to be fixed between services. I've looked in the usual places and seen the sight glasses for sale for about £17, but it must be impossible to fit one without some hassle.
Any tips?
As I understand it, these beasts often use a bit of oil. My bike is used equally for a 140-mile commute and for 20-minute pops to the station and shops.
As far as I know there is no other way of checking. Try some kind of proprietary cleaning solution along with a nylon brush or an old toothbrush to clean the sight glass. If you still can't see the level then drain all the oil out of the engine and replace the sight glass. It's really important that you can check the oil level accurately and with total assurance.
There is no need to drain the oil to change the sight glass.
Just have the bike leaning over to the R/H side.
The sight glass just levers out. Just knock a screwdriver into the plastic face, and lever it out. No parts will fall into the engine as the sight glass is a "unit". You'll see what i mean when you buy a new glass.
To replace, tap the new one in place using a socket as a drift the same size as the outer of the new glass.
Well I used a dowel with all sorts of cleaning chems on it to tidy up the sight glass. Eventually I got it clear enough so that I could see the oil level when I used a very bright LED bicycle light - know where it was? Just above the minimum - when the bike was on the side stand. Got some decent bike oil to handbook specs from Halfords (a contradiction in terms?) and filled it up so that at working temp, 5 mins after bike iss stopped, when level and upright, oil is just below max level. Now going to have to see if the bike has started using any rock-juice since my cock-up.
Steptoe wrote:There is no need to drain the oil to change the sight glass.
Just have the bike leaning over to the R/H side.
The sight glass just levers out. Just knock a screwdriver into the plastic face, and lever it out. No parts will fall into the engine as the sight glass is a "unit". You'll see what i mean when you buy a new glass.
To replace, tap the new one in place using a socket as a drift the same size as the outer of the new glass.
