CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL (2004)

J

Jason Curtiss

Joined
Jun 14, 2003
Messages
747
Here's a question I've been pondering for a long time; perhaps our Norton panel of experts can answer this one.

What is the proper method for checking the engine oil level on a '75 Commando? Specifically, should the bike be on the center stand or side stand when checking?

Mute point some may say? Quite the contrary. If the oil dip stick reading indicates full with the bike on the side stand, it will show over .5 quarts low with the bike repositioned on the center stand.

I know someone out there has the "official Norton answer".

Thanks and regards,

Jason
 
Oil Level

On my 73 I always check it on the center stand.

I have a breather tube running out to the back of the bike. If I fill it to the top on the stand, it blows a little bit out the back.

For me the perfect place is 1/2 to 3/4 full while the bike is on the center stand on level ground. It does not blow out the back then.

Jerry

http://jerrydoe.com
 
Jason,

I am sure most owners will know that the oil can "wetsump", that is drain down from the oil tank to the sump while left standing. Therefore you do need to run/ride the bike for a few minutes if you are checking the oil level.
The oil will then be pumped back into the oil tank where it should be. You may get a false reading if you don't do this.

Jerry has then said "For me the perfect place is 1/2 to 3/4 full while the bike is on the center stand on level ground. It does not blow out the back then."

Having had 7 commandos myself over a 30 year period, I would say Jerry is spot on with his "1/2 to 3/4 full while the bike is on the center stand on level ground" otherwise oil seems to want to blow out.

Reg.
 
Thanks for the feedback on my oil level question. If I've interpreted the responses correctly, filling and checking the oil with the bike on the center stand results in an overfilled tank (asuming the level is at the FULL mark). Perhaps checking the oil with the bike on the side stand would be more accurate?

Jason
 
Jason,

Old saying......
"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink"

So, I guess it is your decision how you check your bike.

Another tip...
Check the definition of "mute", then "moot" in a good dictionary.

Just a suggestion of help, nothing else intended.

Reg.
 
Nortonfan,

Ok, bad question. I was hoping someone would respond by saying:

"Back when I worked at the Norton factory, we would check the oil by first..."

Or, perhaps: "On page 72 of the Norton factory procedures manual, it says to check the oil this way."

Better question next time.

Jason
 
Commando oil level

Jason,

The responses are pretty much what I've found. Check oil on the center stand after a ride. The level should be just above the lower dip stick mark. Filled to the top mark will cause overflowing from the tank. Experience is the best teacher, so play around with the level above the lower mark. The Commando will let you know when it has too much oil.
 
Commando oil level

Jason,

The responses are pretty much what I've found. Check oil on the center stand after a ride. The level should be just above the lower dip stick mark. Filled to the top mark will cause overflowing from the tank. Experience is the best teacher, so play around with the level above the lower mark. The Commando will let you know when it has too much oil.
 
>Ok, bad question. I was hoping someone would respond by saying:

>"Back when I worked at the Norton factory, we would check the oil by >first..."

>Or, perhaps: "On page 72 of the Norton factory procedures manual, it >says to check the oil this way."

Well, if that's what you want, on page 9 of the 750 Riders manual it says..."Before filling fresh oil, run the engine for three to four minutes to clear excess oil in the crankcase, observing the oil circulating through the cap in the oil tank filler orifice.

Allow the oil to settle in the tank, then fill sufficient oil of a recommended grade until the correct oil level is shown on the dipstick. The oil level should not exceed the "H" mark or fall below the "L" on the dipstick. It is most important not to exceed the "H"."

Real helpful, huh? Keep in mind the oil serves two purposes. Lubricating the bearings and help keep the engine cool. As long as there is oil in the tank, it will lubricate. However, if allowed to run for extended periods below the "L" mark, it will get pretty hot. If filled above the "H", it will spit it out the breather and make a real mess.

Ron L
 
Jason,

Further to the private emails you have been sending me.

Apparently the new 2005 model Softail Harley Davidson Oil Dipstick Design allows the rider to check the oil level with the bike on its' sidestand.

I was at our local HD distributors shop yesterday test riding a Heritage & asked the oil question.

So at least the 2005 softail owners won't have to chock up their harleys to check their oil anymore.
 
Hey these things run with a dry-ish sump so don't need
much oil in tank to keep her oil pressure up. Do to losing
2/3 my oil d/t oil filter working lose - only revealed by
the unfun handling entering the fun twisties - I rode
it back to twon 20 miles watching my oil temp and speedo
and it ran the same 120 F oil entering motor as it did prior
so I just ran on in around 80-90 for 15 min and began
to wonder about just how much oil is really needed-
plus the amount to save a motor if it spring a leak.

I can not tell you how much your Commando life will improve after you install a big fat oil sight and drain tube.
Allows level and color judgement at a glance and no
tool no mess renewal.

I put an temp sendor in front bottom of tank but in
crashes it has caused a tire oiling leak, I wonder if there
arn't just some glue on temp sendors that could fit
for this?

hobot
'72 Combat minus some stuff.
 
Hi guys, do you screw your dipstick (oil tank lid) fully in when you want to measure your oil level? Im used to not doing it (from JPN bikes) - just lay the dipstick plug/lid "loosely" (by its thread) onto the tank mouth and pull out. My mechanic is using the method to fully close the lid and open again and then to read the oil level on the dipstick. This makes 1/4" difference. What method is correct for British bikes, please?
 
No idea if its correct as no owners handbook addresses the issue but I fully close the cap as I do on all cars, lawn tractors etc etc.
 
hypnogen said:
Im used to not doing it (from JPN bikes) - just lay the dipstick plug/lid "loosely" (by its thread) onto the tank mouth and pull out.
Click to expand...

Are you sure you have posted this in the correct forum section (Classic Commando)?

hypnogen said:
My mechanic is using the method to fully close the lid and open again and then to read the oil level on the dipstick. This makes 1/4" difference. What method is correct for British bikes, please?
Click to expand...

Which particular British bike or bikes are you referring to?

If the classic Commando oil filler cap is screwed down (there's no actual "thread") then only the cap moves because the dipstick is attached to the internal plate so cannot move except to slightly compress the gasket because it is already resting on the top of the filler neck.
 
Last edited:
L.A.B. said:
Are you sure you have posted this in the correct forum section (Classic Commando)?



Which particular British bike or bikes are you referring to?

If the classic Commando oil filler cap is screwed down (there's no actual "thread") then only the cap moves because the dipstick is attached to the internal plate so cannot move except to slightly compress the gasket because it is already resting on the top of the filler neck.
Click to expand...
Yes, old Commando. The point is not whether there cap is fastened by "thread" or "bayonet" or different "locking mechanism", but if the depth of oil level measurement is defined by laying the cap just loose onto the neck or to screw it to be fully closed. The cap gasket is resting on a spring and if you compress it when closing the cap, it makes quite a difference in final level measurement.

If compared with modern bikes incl. old (70s) JPN bikes, the procedure seems different and its always clearly described in the manuals.
 
It doesn’t matter. The difference is small and irrelevant.

Personally, I screw it fully in, mainly as that’s the easiest way to get a ‘fixed’ reading.
 
If the oil doesn't puke itself out all over the floor when you start it, then you don't have enough :)

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL (2004)
 
hypnogen said:
The point is not whether there cap is fastened by "thread" or "bayonet" or different "locking mechanism", but if the depth of oil level measurement is defined by laying the cap just loose onto the neck or to screw it to be fully closed.
Click to expand...


I think you need to look at the cap mechanism again and compare what you have with the pictures below.

hypnogen said:
The cap gasket is resting on a spring and if you compress it when closing the cap, it makes quite a difference in final level measurement.
Click to expand...

The cap gasket rests on the rim of the filler neck under (when in its normal position) the plate the dipstick is attached to.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL (2004)


The spring is between the plate and the cap so when the cap is screwed down (demonstrated by the screwdriver blade) all that moves (or should move) is the cap as the gasket is already resting on the rim of the filler neck.

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL (2004)
 
Last edited:
L.A.B. said:
I think you need to look at the cap mechanism again and compare what you have with the pictures below.



The cap gasket rests on the rim of the filler neck under (when in its normal position) the plate the dipstick is attached to.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL (2004)


The spring is between the plate and the cap so when the cap is screwed down (demonstrated by the screwdriver blade) all that moves (or should move) is the cap as the gasket is already resting on the rim of the filler neck.

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL (2004)
Click to expand...

Funny there's no spring on my cap either. The level measures the same no matter which way I turn it.
 

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