Hitchcocks Forum

Hi guys,
A strange problem this!
I checked the oil level on my CGT when I had it delivered prior to starting it and it was on the max mark.
I checked the other day after about 3oo miles and it had dropped to the minimum.
Both checks were done with the engine stone cold.
There are no oil leaks anywhere and it isn't smoking at all.
I topped it up thinking that perhaps the dealer I bought it off may have changed the oil and not started the bike to circulate the oil in to all the oilways and fill the filter. So I topped it up with a small amount, again when it was cold to the max.
After going out for a ride on Sunday, I checked the level the following day and it was overfilled??
I decided to drain the oil from all the plugs inc the suction plate. I also changed the oil filter too.
I added the oil and got to around 1.5 litres and it started to show in the sight glass up to the max.
I decided to use the kickstart with ignition off too circulate the oil. After a few kicks the sight glass was completely full. However, I left it for half an hour expecting the level to drop but it has stayed the same. I started the bike without revving it for a minute and allowed the oil to settle, it is now below minimum. How are you supposed to get an accurate reading? Why would just kicking the bike over completely fill the chamber and then not drain? Any ideas guys?

Dave

Bearing in mind it's essentially a newly designed engine (in terms of the crankcase layout) there is no excuse at all for this cock-up, but they made it anyway. Not only that, but after seven years of production they still haven't put it right.



In a nutshell, there's a barrier between the sight glass and the main oil reservoir, and that barrier is just above the correct oil level. Thus the sight glass doesn't accurately reflect the actual oil level. You can empty or fill the section next to the sight glass just by tilting the bike to the left or right, and then back upright again.



The technique for measuring the oil seems to be this: take it for a brief ride; come to a halt with the engine still running; hoick it onto the centre stand and leave it running for half a minute. Kill the engine and wait another half minute for the oil to drain down. Then take a look at the sight glass.



You'll get used to RE's weird ways - they call it "character".

I have exactly the issue on my new Bullet, the oil level is all over the place. I pop it on the centre stand on a VERY level surface, run it for a minute, switch it off and leave for a few minutes then check the sight glass. That seems to give consistent readings.

I have wondered what is wrong with a simple dipstick or is this dipstick too simnple?

Many thanks guys, that explains it. I thought it was me going mad!!!

Dave

It seems the oil goes everywhere except the hydraulic tappets.

Hi all
When I took my CGT for 1st service the mechanic at haywoods Cambridge told me after its had oil in from new never put any more than 2.4 ltrs in don't worry about site glass . they don't use oil unless you have problem or a leak .he said he has had people topping oil up and if its to much it will pump out of some of the seals and make a mess of engine

To be fair, it does actually say in the handbook to check the oil warm, though I agree it's a stupid set-up. FWIW my Triumph Sprint GT SE has a dipstick and is just as awkward to check the oil. Why? Becuase you have to do it when the oil is hot to allow for expansion. Apparently nobody these days can work out what the level should be cold, allowing for expansion. Playstation generation designing things I reckon......

Rattlebattle wrote: "Why? Becuase you have to do it when the oil is hot to allow for expansion."



Expansion? That doesn't sound right. The oil has a tiny expansion coefficient. Just looked it up: 1% change in volume per 14 degrees C. Let's be generous and say a total expansion of 5% if we start very cold and get very hot. So with a 2.4 litre capacity that's 0.12 litres total expansion. I think that is too small to be significant when using the sight glass.

"So with a 2.4 litre capacity that's 0.12 litres total expansion. I think that is too small to be significant when using the sight glass.".....................................................................................................................
It is significant on my BMW K75S. About an 1/8th of an inch on the sight glass.