I need someone to measure something for me.....

[JerryH]

There now your listening.  I have a Tru-Tel dip stick.  It nevers give me a correct oil reading and I can't find my OEM dip stick to check the oil with.  Can someone measure the length of the OEM dip stick from the "lip" when fully screwed in, to the bottem end.  then measure the length up from the bottome end to the top of the crosshatched marking, then the length from the bottoem end to the full mark.

I'll make a new dip stick from a metal rod and use it when needed, which is about twice a year.


TIA

Jerry

[Hook#3287]

I'm measuring the OEM dipstick I took off one of my bikes.  From the bottom of the handle, no o-ring, the first (top) mark is at 8 1/2 inches, the second (lower) is at 8 15/16.  The stick is 9" total.

[JerryH]

thanks Hook - that should do it.

[t-man403]

Curious as to why it would not be accurate.  ???

[R J]

I'd say he doesn't really know how to check the oil, or he has one with NO marks on it.

When I put my chrome stick in, I laid it down next to the old one and used a dremel wheel to cut the marks.    Then so I could see the oil when new on the chrome stick, I drilled a small hole between the 2 marks.   I'd check the oil and that little hole would fill up and stay pretty much there till I pulled the stick out to check.   The hole made it very easy to see the oil between the 2 marks.

[Gryphon Rider]

First of all, how do you know it's inaccurate? Second, you measure the oil level by putting the dipstick in the hole, but NOT screwing it in, with the bike held upright (not leaned on the side stand). Third, a very similar question was asked a couple of months ago, which I quickly found by searching "dip stick":
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,53302.0.html
The crucial measurement is to the lowest thread, not the bottom of the cap.

[98valk]

Tru-tel has the instructions for checking oil on their web site and states what marks are what for the correct level

[Hook#3287]

The threads on my OEM dipstick measure approx 1/4".   so, 8 1/4" and 8 11/16".  The threads on my three chrome ones are the same, 1/4", all thought the marks are different from OEM.

I bought my first chrome one from Honda back in 2000 or so and the first thing I noticed, was the level marks were different then the OEM.  The other two came from some aftermarket place or another.  All three are identical and all three seem to have wrong marks.  I put my own marks on them.

The hole made it very easy to see the oil between the 2 marks.

If you want accurate marks, change your oil and add 3 quarts.  Put dipstick in fill hole (resting on threads and bike fully upright) and use the oil level to mark "low" level.  Add a fourth quart, put dipstick in and mark the new level on your dipstick for "full".

Is three quarts enough?  Not that I would ever let it get that low, nor has any of my Honda's ever got that low, but how do you know 3 qts is the low level?

[JerryH]

Gees - I didn't expect to get my ass chewed. 

Yes - I do know how to check oil on each and every motorcycle I have owned.  I have ridden for over 45 years.  I do ALL my own maintenance on all my bikes.  I just said the Tru-tel dip stick is VERY HARD to read after a fresh oil change.  I have always double checked my oil with my "old" OEM dip stick just to make sure everything was OK.  I have lost the old OEM stick and was going to make a new one from a rod to use when needed (twice per year).

 thanks to those who gave me the OEM stick measurements.

Jerry

[t-man403]

  It nevers give me a correct oil reading and I can't find my OEM dip stick to check the oil with. 
Jerry

  I just said the Tru-tel dip stick is VERY HARD to read after a fresh oil change.

Jerry

Well, your OP sounds like you said it had an incorrect reading.

I would like to buy one myself but if the reading is incorrect, I'll save my money.

If it is just hard to see with new oil, that doesn't mean it's inaccurate ........ so which is it? 

[9Ball]

 

[Jess from VA]

The Tel Trues are for temp, not oil level.  I have them on both bikes, but I use my OEs for level. 

I would not trust any aftermarket dip for level.  I used to run a Show Chrome dip (for the chrome), and never checked it's level against the OE's, just used the OEs for level.

Who burns/loses any oil anyway?

As said before, easy enough to use an OE dip for perfect oil change level, then shove any aftermarket dip down in the hole, pull it out, and drag a file across where the oil level shows on it.  Now it's as good as OE.

[t-man403]

The Tel Trues are for temp, not oil level.  I have them on both bikes, but I use my OEs for level. 

I would not trust any aftermarket dip for level.  I used to run a Show Chrome dip (for the chrome), and never checked it's level against the OE's, just used the OEs for level.

Who burns/loses any oil anyway?

As said before, easy enough to use an OE dip for perfect oil change level, then shove any aftermarket dip down in the hole, pull it out, and drag a file across where the oil level shows on it.  Now it's as good as OE.

Nice explanation, THX! 

[Chrisj CMA]

I find its simpler to check under the motorcycle before I ride it.  If there is no oil on the floor, its all still inside the motor.  After 5,000-8,000 miles I drain it out and put a fresh gallon in....yep it filled up my drain pan to the stain line....not a drop missing

If you are going to make a dipstick......Just do a good drain...add 4 qts, then leave the bike on the sidestand dip it in and mark where the oil hits.