I bought a used sports bike in june with about 2K miles on it. After I bought it I changed the oil and fluids. Figured that the bike should be good until 6K. I reached 6K this week and today I changed the oil... I thought it was wierd that only about 1 quart came out. (I never thought to check the oil since the 2K but yesterday saw the light come on just briefly - then turn off - at a stop sign.) I finished the oil change and called my dealership about the low quantity of oil that came out. The guy was mad that I didn't check the oil regularly and also told me that since the oil was so low - and I was riding that way for some time - I may have ruined the engine and bike.
Ruined? Does this sound right? The bike has not changed in performance, gas milage, sound, etc... can it really be ruined? How would I know? Did I mess up that badly? Please somebody let me know if I killed my bike.
2006-09-28 12:27:05 · 13 answers · asked by sanman 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
what a moron.the dealer that is all they want is to sell you something you don`t need .I have built engines for many years.Install the proper oil to it correct level.Run the engine.If it sounds good and runs good then take that as a warning not to ride without checking your oil.What do you think they put the oil lite on your bike for.It is installed to warn you before you run the bike without oil. You are ok I'm sure.
2006-09-29 15:11:11 · answer #1 · answered by xlhdrider 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't mention what model you've got, but before you give yourself a heart attack, make sure you've got ALL the old oil out.
Some bikes have 2 drain plugs, plus the filter (which holds a decent amount of oil).
Some bikes have a weird oil change setup where you actually drain the oil from one plug, the crank the engine a few times with a plug out, then open and drain a second plug.
If that's not the case, then what did the oil look like when you drained it? Did it smell, look or feel weird? If so, then there could be problems.
Also, if the oil didn't look weird, and the bike didn't smoke or drip, then where did the oil go? Check the radiator fluid - if it's milky, you've got a big problem. If the rad fluid is clear, then that's good.
Next, check the airbox - most crankcase vent tubes on modern bikes are vented into the airbox. An oily messy airbox means somethings causing excess pressure in the crankcase.
Finally, how much oil did you put in? It's not impossible to get sidetracked in the middle of a change and only add a quart instead of the 2 it requires.
I agree with all the others here - definitely check and change more frequently - every 2,000 miles at the least you should change your oil, more frequently if you really push it or ride in hot/humid/dusty conditions.
2006-09-29 00:43:25 · answer #2 · answered by ducatisti 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your oil pump cavitated for a split second from low oil in the crankcase. No you didnt kill it but definitely from now on keep a check on it. Check your oil, chain, and tires often. These are things you do not skimp on when riding a bike. If you run it hard (which why would you have a sports bike if you didnt) you will burn some oil. If you ride wheelies you will also cavitate the oil pump if you run low so keep it up to par so youre not buying a engine.
2006-09-28 20:34:24 · answer #3 · answered by joshtnc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would have to take the engine heads off to check the cylinders for scoring. If the bike has not lost any performance then it was just low and you lucked out.
One of those, wait and see or just sell the bike and buy another one before it shows the damage.
You can always buy another bike with that money, but if you wait to see, it will cost you more than the bike sells for.
2006-09-28 22:06:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it sounds the same and doesn't smoke at all. you may be lucky.
You may have reduced the service life of your engine some, but don't do any work on it until you notice something isn't right. Ride it for a while, and keep checking the oil.
Obviously, the dealer wants to scare you into bringing it in for an expensive repair job that you may not need (yet)
2006-09-28 21:48:22 · answer #5 · answered by Trump 2020 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you didn't kill it. You gave it a mild stroke LOL
Nothing to worry about. If there was any damage, you would have heard it right away.
The #1 rule for every motorcyclist - before you go for a ride - check the oil level (it takes about 5 seconds).
For street bike riders - check all lights - high/low beam, tail,
F&R brake, turn signals, horn, kill switch (takes another 5 seconds).
2006-09-28 19:52:26 · answer #6 · answered by guardrailjim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You probably didn't hurt a thing.when you stopped the oil splashed forward and the light let you know that it was extremely low.keep a check on it...good luck
2006-09-28 22:48:50 · answer #7 · answered by bill b 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no you did not kill it but you have to keep an eye out for things like that, bikes need more maintenance than cars, CHECK YOUR FLUIDS REGULARLY, along with chain ,tires etc.
2006-09-28 19:31:55 · answer #8 · answered by bayareart1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
basicly all you have to do is empty the old oil out and put a different knid of oil in it and if this doesnt work then email me at melanyrox_2010@yahoo.com
2006-09-28 19:36:18 · answer #9 · answered by quinn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nah, at least you got a quart out of it. It's not like you ran it dry. You'll be fine. Go to a heavier weight, like 20W50.
2006-09-29 01:21:14 · answer #10 · answered by x 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋