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Cruiser
Posts: 69
| Is it just me or do others have a hard time reading the level on the dipstick? It doesn't help that you have to screw it in and back it out. Has anyone painted it white or tried anything else? Maybe my eye's are going downhill w/the rest of me. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 208
Wichita, Kansas | I have the same trouble with mine which has a steel stick. Try roughing it up with a little sandpaper. The oil then shows a shiny surface which provides a little contrast with the rough. I just don't screw it in and raise the level visually by 1/2" or so to compensate. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 114
Southeast, AZ United States | Why check it? Seriously, this is my second Victory (first was a 03 TC 45,000 miles) and I have yet to check the oil. Well not really I checked it regurlarly (first 6 months) on my TC and got tired of not having to add any oil between oil changes so I quit checking it. I haven't heard of anyone with a Victory that has had an issue with oil burning or leaking to the point that they felt they had to check the oil in between oil changes. I haven't had any issues so far and don't plan on checking the oil any time soon...  Unless there's a puddle under it or obvious signs of it leaking or burning oil..."don't worry, be happy". My dealer took the dipstick out and added one of those cool chrome plugs...he doesn't check his either.
Ride Safe,
Ken  |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I agree with Vsion, and after about 14 oil changes in 20 months it has yet to let me down. I do think they need a better stick and I'm using the chrome one with the gauge in it. When I do check it, is usually right before I change it and if the engine has been off for a while, I right it off the kick for a few seconds, then put it back on the kick. I immediately pull the dipstick and check where it is. Also, if I forgot to check it, when I fill the bottles with the old oil I measure it by the amount that goes in. That is what has worked for me. I also figure if it starts to have a problem, I'll hear it first. |
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New user
Posts: 3
| My 09 Vision uses oil, about half a qt every change. I have a Lloydz 114 kit in it and the deler tells me that is par for the course. any feed back on the this? Should I screw in the dip stick once I pull it out and wip it off? It's a real pain in the butt to screw it back in as you know if you own one. Thanks. VRD |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | If you have a hard time seeing the oil on the dipstick, you can gently touch it with the side of your finger; that will show you where the oil is in relation to the dipstick. I do find that fresh oil is hard to see sometimes... |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | I got the oil to a perfect level after acouple of in and outs with the dipstick and the oil at operating temp then I notched the dipstick at two places one with the bike upright and one with the bike on it's kickstand, they both work perfectly......it would still be easier to see if the inside part was white plastic........... |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| I drilled a small hole in dip stick where full was at. I put bike on 2x4 and thats as close as you get with out being on the bike I think.
You could go one step farther and do a oil change so you know your full. Start bike let the oil fill the filter shut the bike off and now leaning on the kick stand make a mark where your oil level is on the stick. Now if there is no oil on stick put on 2x4 and check it again. |
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Tourer
Posts: 444
Bay of Gigs, WA | I have a "Condor" thingy that holds the bike upright, it's aluminum, but Harbor Freight has a steel one that's only about 30 bucks. Rolling the Vic into that works like a charm for checking the oil and sure makes it easier to clean the left side when you've been caught out in the rain. |
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | I admit to burning myself almost every time I check the oil level. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | It takes oil???? |
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Tourer
Posts: 554
2 mi from Jim Beam n KY | Unless I miss read the manual, you unscrew the dip stick, wipe it off, then just stick it in, dont screw it in, and lift and read the level...... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 51
Ennis, Tx | Does any have a dip stick with the oil temp on the end of the dip stick?? If so - any pro's or con's.. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | My first mod was the dip stick with the temp gage, only because it was chrome and it had a dial on it that looked cool. There is no difference in how you read the oil level. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | varyder - 2011-10-16 6:24 AM
My first mod was the dip stick with the temp gage, only because it was chrome and it had a dial on it that looked cool. There is no difference in how you read the oil level.
Hey Varyder... that chromed dipstick with the temp gauge; does the gauge "turn" so it can be read at a different angle, once the dipstick is screwed in tight? I have one as well, and the dealer said your could reorient the gauge... but I am a little leery of apply what seems to be a lot of force the the gauges bevel. Doesn't seem to want to rotate. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | vwfarm - 2011-10-16 3:25 AM
Does any have a dip stick with the oil temp on the end of the dip stick?? If so - any pro's or con's..
i have had 3 of the dipstick that do the oil temp.. i like it as it dresses that area a little more and it lets you know whats going on with your oil, as far as getting very hot or what not.. the pros are.. able to monitor your internal oil temp if stuck in traffic...
cons.. they are made like $hit.. im on my 3rd one... 1st one victory covered under warranty 2nd one they did not. and the 3rd one i just bought 2 months about when i bought my 2nd vision... so far the 3rd one has been ok. but the problem has been, WATER gets into the lens area of the dipstick and them its ruined... |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | willtill - 2011-10-16 6:44 AM
varyder - 2011-10-16 6:24 AM
My first mod was the dip stick with the temp gage, only because it was chrome and it had a dial on it that looked cool. There is no difference in how you read the oil level.
Hey Varyder... that chromed dipstick with the temp gauge; does the gauge "turn" so it can be read at a different angle, once the dipstick is screwed in tight? I have one as well, and the dealer said your could reorient the gauge... but I am a little leery of apply what seems to be a lot of force the the gauges bevel. Doesn't seem to want to rotate.
it DOES turn... so you CAN view it from different angles |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Arkainzeye - 2011-10-16 8:27 AM
willtill - 2011-10-16 6:44 AM
varyder - 2011-10-16 6:24 AM
My first mod was the dip stick with the temp gage, only because it was chrome and it had a dial on it that looked cool. There is no difference in how you read the oil level.
Hey Varyder... that chromed dipstick with the temp gauge; does the gauge "turn" so it can be read at a different angle, once the dipstick is screwed in tight? I have one as well, and the dealer said your could reorient the gauge... but I am a little leery of apply what seems to be a lot of force the the gauges bevel. Doesn't seem to want to rotate.
it DOES turn... so you CAN view it from different angles
Do you grab the bezel of the gauge with pliers; padded jaw I would assume? I don't want to break it or snap it off.... |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | it doesn't take that much to turn while you have it out. also, yes, it is not good on the bezel, but it gives it the retro look. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| What makes you think that temp gauge is accurate? I bet if you con paired it to a cooking thermometer you would find out its off.
Heat a pan of water and check them out. |
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | DannyB wrote;
Unless I miss read the manual, you unscrew the dip stick, wipe it off, then just stick it in, dont screw it in, and lift and read the level......
You read it wrong.
My owners manual, page 40, states;
4. On level ground, straddle the motorcycle and bring
it to the fully upright position.
5. Remove the oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe it
clean. Reinstall the dipstick and turn the
cap clockwise until it seats.
6. Remove the dipstick and view the oil level.
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 34
Robins AFB, GA | Nope - you misread it. It has to be screwed in to get a true reading. Also the bike is supposed to be a operating temp, which means burnt fingers. Not the most brilliant design.....
DannyB - 2011-10-15 11:09 PM
Unless I miss read the manual, you unscrew the dip stick, wipe it off, then just stick it in, dont screw it in, and lift and read the level...... |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | john frey - 2011-10-16 11:46 AM
What makes you think that temp gauge is accurate? I bet if you con paired it to a cooking thermometer you would find out its off.
Heat a pan of water and check them out.
personally, I never said it was accurate. At best it looks pretty and a good source of entertainment. Since Vic motors do not overheat, I'm not worried about. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Dipstick? Oh yeah - the thing my Dealer twiddles when he does my oil changes. Or a person of questionable moral turpitude.
I check my oil by looking at the floor under the bike and end of the exhaust pipes. Worked for me this past 50 years ...
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | I just remembered my Yamaha Virago's had a little window you could peer into to see the oil level. I never bothered with that, either....
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | donetracy, I owned a Suzuki motorcycle that would consume(?) nearly a quart of oil during a high speed 1,000 plus ride in a single day.
No smoke, no odor, no spot on the ground, no discoloration at the exhaust tip, no hint at all that this was happening.
I put 38,000 trouble free miles on that bike in 3 years time. (Oil changes and tires)
You have been very lucky to never having ruined an engine or transmission from lack of oil.
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | bigfoot - 2011-10-16 1:53 PM
donetracy, I owned a Suzuki motorcycle that would consume(?) nearly a quart of oil during a high speed 1,000 plus ride in a single day.
No smoke, no odor, no spot on the ground, no discoloration at the exhaust tip, no hint at all that this was happening.
I put 38,000 trouble free miles on that bike in 3 years time. (Oil changes and tires)
You have been very lucky to never having ruined an engine or transmission from lack of oil.
i used to have a kawaski vulcan 2000 and one time on a trip from pittsburgh to the Dragon (500+ miles) i used 1.3qts of oil ! i about crapped my pants. i thought, there has to be a leak! but there wasnt. that model of bike was known for oil usage issues. it didnt do it all the time, but that one time scared me as i knew i checked it before i left my house |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | I just remembered another thing about my 4 Viragos - they had a Warning Light - that meant LOW OIL LEVEL (not oil pressure).
Makes me wonder why other makers can't do that? And also, a 'kill switch' if you put the bike in gear with the sidestand down. Why not that?
OH - and oil obeys the laws of physics. It does not just 'vanish'. It either leaks or burns (or both). Leaks are visible. And burning will result in loss of performance - also noticible. Working 4 years in a service station doing oil changes and tune ups while in university taught me how to observe oil problems. If my engine gets damage from 'low' oil levels - you can bet my Dealer will be repairing/rebuilding under WARRRRANTY! That goes for my cars as well as bikes.
I did my share of checking levels (oil/water/battery acid/wiper fluids) when I was a Pup. Now as an Old Fart - I let Pups do my checking for me ...
And I get full services when recommended. $270 Oil Changes - they better fricken well check things. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | donetracey - 2011-10-16 6:52 PM
I just remembered another thing about my 4 Viragos - they had a Warning Light - that meant LOW OIL LEVEL (not oil pressure).
Makes me wonder why other makers can't do that? And also, a 'kill switch' if you put the bike in gear with the sidestand down. Why not that?
OH - and oil obeys the laws of physics. It does not just 'vanish'. It either leaks or burns (or both). Leaks are visible. And burning will result in loss of performance - also noticible. Working 4 years in a service station doing oil changes and tune ups while in university taught me how to observe oil problems. If my engine gets damage from 'low' oil levels - you can bet my Dealer will be repairing/rebuilding under WARRRRANTY! That goes for my cars as well as bikes.
I did my share of checking levels (oil/water/battery acid/wiper fluids) when I was a Pup. Now as an Old Fart - I let Pups do my checking for me ...
And I get full services when recommended. $270 Oil Changes - they better fricken well check things.
kawasaki's had alot of issues in this area of kickstand switches. personally im glad we dont have one more thing to have a risk of failure with... When i was on the kawasaki forums you would read about people being on trips and having to find a way to bypass the kickstand kill switch because their bikes wouldnt start. or when their bikes would turn off while riding down the street. |
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Checking oil