Oil change

[PhoenixRizing]

I am such a horrible owner, I went and changed the oil today on my bike and there was barely 1/4 of a quart of oil in the whole engine. Bike ran fine and I admit I can't remember the last time I even checked the oil. Usually I'm pretty good bout it. I got really lazy and luckily Honda made a sellout engine and I didn't hurt anything. 
I will do a much better job paying attention to this. 

[desertrefugee]

Uhhh,  I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that you might not be as lucky as you think.   If there was truly only 1/4 quart of oil, I can't imagine that the pump could build much pressure - or even  pick up any oil at speed. 

I fear for the future of that engine.

[RDKLL]

I applaud the positivity of the OP but have to agree with DR. This celebration may have been prematue. I hope the OP lets us know how it works out.

[Danny McMillin]

At the risk of a future engine failure, I just hope a lesson may have been learned. It would be a shame, if engine fails or not, that future maintenance would not be carefully considered! And also, let's hope others reading this post, check and possibly correct, deficencies on  their machines. We all expect a lot out of them, and depend on their getting us where we wish to go. Shame, shame!

[The emperor has no clothes]

When I bought my Standard I rode it home and changed fluids. I was mortified that only 1 quart of oil came out. I thought for sure I was screwed. 55k later it's still running strong and smooth as ever. The question I have is why they burned all the oil ? I'm pretty sure mine had it full as I got it with only 4500 miles. In all my subsequent oil changes I doubt there was less than 4 quarts.

[PhoenixRizing]

Bike still runs strong and smooth. No noises. I will continue to give updates as the miles add up

[PhoenixRizing]

So now after putting 4qts of oil in it I stand it up right and check the oil. Now it reads well past the fill line. Is this safe to drive or should a let a little out first?

[The emperor has no clothes]

So now after putting 4qts of oil in it I stand it up right and check the oil. Now it reads well past the fill line. Is this safe to drive or should a let a little out first?

Please don't take this the wrong way. Are you sure you drained correctly ?
Bike upright with the drain plug removed and filter off.

[Willow]

So now after putting 4qts of oil in it I stand it up right and check the oil. Now it reads well past the fill line. Is this safe to drive or should a let a little out first?

To answer the question, don't ride with it over full.

That said, if you only put in four quarts there was obviously some old oil left in.  I hope you changed the filter.  Drain and refill it again, clean oil and new filter.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Also check oil level with the dipstick resting on top, not screwed in.

[Firefighter]

Make sure you have the correct dipstick and it has not been modified somehow. Read your owners manual, make sure you are doing your oil change correctly. Better learn about all the other fluids and maintenance that should be done to your machine. World of knowledge at this site.   Best of Luck!

[desertrefugee]

So now after putting 4qts of oil in it I stand it up right and check the oil. Now it reads well past the fill line. Is this safe to drive or should a let a little out first?

Please don't take this the wrong way. Are you sure you drained correctly ?
Bike upright with the drain plug removed and filter off.

Hmmm.   MH might be onto something here.  I'm guessing that with the bike on the sidestand and the drain plug pulled, if the motor was down some oil, it is certainly possible that only 1/4 quart of oil would come out...

...the good news would be that more would be left.  Not much, but more.

[PhoenixRizing]

I feel totally like a dumb ass I didn't undo the correct plug. The one I started with had a Allen wrench flush mounted bolt and it was next to the lower radiator hose housing. After relooking at it I finally saw the correct oil plug and removed that and yes oil came out of it. Lots of it. I went bought fresh fluids and redid the oil change. So after checking the fluid level it is right where it needs to be with fresh oil in it. Geez you guys would think by this thread I just started riding. Lol I still have tons to learn bout this bike but I do know mechinacs and work on all of my vehicles. That's why I'm so mad at myself for making such a rookie mistake. Thanks for the heads up and words of wisdom it feels good to finally find a home where people are willing to help and not insult. Thanks again

[The emperor has no clothes]

I feel totally like a dumb ass I didn't undo the correct plug. The one I started with had a Allen wrench flush mounted bolt and it was next to the lower radiator hose housing. After relooking at it I finally saw the correct oil plug and removed that and yes oil came out of it. Lots of it. I went bought fresh fluids and redid the oil change. So after checking the fluid level it is right where it needs to be with fresh oil in it. Geez you guys would think by this thread I just started riding. Lol I still have tons to learn bout this bike but I do know mechinacs and work on all of my vehicles. That's why I'm so mad at myself for making such a rookie mistake. Thanks for the heads up and words of wisdom it feels good to finally find a home where people are willing to help and not insult. Thanks again

I'm glad it worked out. I've done so many dumb things, I can't even remember them all. I'm also glad you took Willow's advice and didn't run the bike.
We usually save the insults for later. 

[cookiedough]

I have done some dumb mechanical things, but never removing the wrong oil drain plug.   

Just kidding,  glad it worked out for you. 

3.9 qts. of oil (or 4 full qts. if using a longer oil filter, say purolator one)  I have always been 4 ounces short of a full 4 qts. of oil when doing mine on stock sized shorter oil filter once a year riding season.

[pais]

 
[/quote] I'm glad it worked out. I've done so many dumb things, I can't even remember them all.
[/quote]

       I have the hat, t-shirt, ticket stub and a few trinkets from the vendors outside the stadium and those are just the ones I remember.
       

[Patrick]

I feel totally like a dumb ass I didn't undo the correct plug. The one I started with had a Allen wrench flush mounted bolt and it was next to the lower radiator hose housing. After relooking at it I finally saw the correct oil plug and removed that and yes oil came out of it. Lots of it. I went bought fresh fluids and redid the oil change. So after checking the fluid level it is right where it needs to be with fresh oil in it. Geez you guys would think by this thread I just started riding. Lol I still have tons to learn bout this bike but I do know mechinacs and work on all of my vehicles. That's why I'm so mad at myself for making such a rookie mistake. Thanks for the heads up and words of wisdom it feels good to finally find a home where people are willing to help and not insult. Thanks again

When draining the oil, the bike needs to be at least straight upright. [ and removing the correct plug helps  ] . I jack the front of the bike slightly and tip it to the right, another 1/2 qt will come out.

[cookiedough]

I feel totally like a dumb ass I didn't undo the correct plug. The one I started with had a Allen wrench flush mounted bolt and it was next to the lower radiator hose housing. After relooking at it I finally saw the correct oil plug and removed that and yes oil came out of it. Lots of it. I went bought fresh fluids and redid the oil change. So after checking the fluid level it is right where it needs to be with fresh oil in it. Geez you guys would think by this thread I just started riding. Lol I still have tons to learn bout this bike but I do know mechinacs and work on all of my vehicles. That's why I'm so mad at myself for making such a rookie mistake. Thanks for the heads up and words of wisdom it feels good to finally find a home where people are willing to help and not insult. Thanks again

When draining the oil, the bike needs to be at least straight upright. [ and removing the correct plug helps  ] . I jack the front of the bike slightly and tip it to the right, another 1/2 qt will come out.

I think jacking up the front of the bike up just a tad is overkill IMO, not needed.  I do though believe in tipping the bike to the right of center as far as you can lean it over putting all weight of bike on right leg.  I can get out another 3-4 ounces doing it that way 3-4 times for 1-2 minutes since cannot hold 800lbs. up with my right leg for more than a few minutes at a time.  Doing it this way when of course the bike is warmed up some (2-4 mile trip around the blocks) I get in 4 ounces short of a full 4 quarts and owners manual says 3.9 quarts of oil.  YES,  when checking oil put in OEM dipstick NOT screwed in just resting on top to check the oil level.  Some say aftermarket oil dipsticks can be different lengths as well so if OEM having the black plastic top,  that is normal oil level to full mark. 

[RainMaker]

Your story is not the worst at all.  I know of someone who did an oil change and then the bike would not fire on all cylinders.  He decided it was a motor gone bad and bought a new motor to put in.  When he started the removal process of the old motor, he drained the oil.  8 quarts came out.  Seemed he had done the oil change without draining the old oil. Refilled the engine with only 4 and guess what - it ran fine.  Afterwards, his handle was changed to Dipstick.  Dipstick with an extra motor.

[PhoenixRizing]

Now that last one bout dipstick was ! That would've been me had I not sat their and looked at my fat gurl and said what are you hiding? lol I got to thinking why didn't the oil light come on if it truely was that low on oil? Then I laid down and looked under her and that's when the actually plug looked back me like hello undo me and you have black gold for days. 

[desertrefugee]

OK.   In the interest of full disclosure, some years ago I did an oil change on a Toyota Corolla that belonged to my girl friend.  Started up OK, but had trouble moving.  Lots of trouble.

Seems yours truly had drained the transmission and added additional oil to the crankcase. 

That one only cost me more oil and transmission fluid - but was embarrassing.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Now that last one bout dipstick was ! That would've been me had I not sat their and looked at my fat gurl and said what are you hiding? lol I got to thinking why didn't the oil light come on if it truely was that low on oil? Then I laid down and looked under her and that's when the actually plug looked back me like hello undo me and you have black gold for days. 

It's a good trait to be able to laugh at ones self. 

[Michvalk]

My first thought "this guy could use a service manual" You can download one free at valkyrienorway.com. It will help you LOADS! At least you spent time making sure that it was right. Hard to know everything, without getting your hands dirty.

[Gary]

OK, I got a recent one to share myself. Did the oil drain, filter change, refill, etc.

I typically fill the new jug with the used oil, if empty. I keep a smaller jug available for any remaining amount of good oil.

Having worked in the hospital/healthcare field for my profession, I had acquired an old used stainless steel bowl/basin that has worked for me for many years. They unloaded much of the stainless equipment years ago and had gone to disposables. Good quality equipment discarded for plastics added to the waste stream. Much of that had gone full circle, yet I digress.

OK, back to the fellow dinkus moment... so I'm cautiously pouring the used oil from this large basin back into the newly emptied jug and while watching for any foreign metal matter, drain plugs, washers, shavings, etc.  I notice as I near the bottom a white sludge/slime. I always start with a clean/empty basin. Over the next several minutes I immediately start brainstorming unsettling source causes for this alien substance. 

Then it hit me; while down there pulling the drain plug I went ahead and drained my dragon drool, it had been a while and there was quite a bit. I really can't say I'd ever seen that much, an actual stream vs the usual juke so I had apparently neglected it. 

In any event, no further cause for alarm other than a fairly full tube of drool.

Let this be a reminder; please don't neglect emptying your tube on a periodic basis. 

     

[John Schmidt]

I don't need to jack up the front end to drain oil, with 12" shocks and my fat ass in the saddle there's plenty of slope built in front to rear. 

As for the OP, soon as I read the amount of oil he initially drained I was fairly certain as to what he had done. Glad the light came on for him, one thing I've never done over the years is lay a hand on any machine without first spending some time reading up on it and getting familiar with where everything is and how to address it. 

[PhoenixRizing]

John, I actually do the majority of my mechanics on my vehicles and I've actually changed the oil on my bike before I just had a brain fart.  but yes whenever. I feel I can't do something on my own I research it first and then if I feel I can do it I tackle it otherwise I forward the project to those that can.

[CajunRider]

I feel totally like a dumb ass I didn't undo the correct plug.

Been there before... but on the wife's car.  

As it was draining, I was wondering why the oil looked red.  D'oh!!! That's transmission oil!!!    

[The emperor has no clothes]

OK, I got a recent one to share myself. Did the oil drain, filter change, refill, etc.

I typically fill the new jug with the used oil, if empty. I keep a smaller jug available for any remaining amount of good oil.

Having worked in the hospital/healthcare field for my profession, I had acquired an old used stainless steel bowl/basin that has worked for me for many years. They unloaded much of the stainless equipment years ago and had gone to disposables. Good quality equipment discarded for plastics added to the waste stream. Much of that had gone full circle, yet I digress.

OK, back to the fellow dinkus moment... so I'm cautiously pouring the used oil from this large basin back into the newly emptied jug and while watching for any foreign metal matter, drain plugs, washers, shavings, etc.  I notice as I near the bottom a white sludge/slime. I always start with a clean/empty basin. Over the next several minutes I immediately start brainstorming unsettling source causes for this alien substance. 

Then it hit me; while down there pulling the drain plug I went ahead and drained my dragon drool, it had been a while and there was quite a bit. I really can't say I'd ever seen that much, an actual stream vs the usual juke so I had apparently neglected it. 

In any event, no further cause for alarm other than a fairly full tube of drool.

Let this be a reminder; please don't neglect emptying your tube on a periodic basis. 

     

Thanks for the reminder Gary. I haven't done mine in a while. 

[DirtyDan]

Empty the tube........ every chance I get 

Dan

[old2soon]

The only Stupid question IS the UNASKED question.   Are we gonna rag ya? Most likely. Have most of us effed up at one time or anudder? cursed right WE have!   Do NOT under ANY circumstances ask me HOW long my current service of my Valkyrie is taking!   Had a dumb ass kid work on my 18 wheeler one time in New Mexico. The wheel tire assembly he "worked" on attempted to pass me 40 miles from the shop.   RIDE SAFE.

[The emperor has no clothes]

So now I'm curious what that Allen plug is for ? If a 1/2 quart came out of it, it must have some passageway to the oil. Any ideas ?

[Michvalk]

I think that is a passageway to the oil filter, I think.......maybe

[PhoenixRizing]

I have been researching that also. I will keep everyone posted when I figure it out. It's right next to the lower radiator housing. Was a pretty big Allen head flush mounted. If I ever figure out how to upload pics I would take a pic of it and show yall.

[PhoenixRizing]

K when I get home I will take a photo and post it here for everyone to see and maybe together we can figure out what it is.

[da prez]

  I have done it enough times not on my bike I have it down pat.  I put a small jack stand under the right crash bar to a set height (I know where). I then slide a step block under the kick stand to level the bike out. No lift in the way. Pull plug and filter and let it flow. Do other things until drips stop.
 
                                          da prez

[Firefighter]

I have never done anything wrong myself,, but I add points to you guys who admit you do!

[Chrisj CMA]

I have never done anything wrong myself,, but I add points to you guys who admit you do!

Yeah, I hear you Firefighter. I thought I made a mistake once, but I was wrong

[BradValk48237]

Heres one...

Was doing Spring clean up and fluid change a few weeks ago... oil, Filter, Rear End, Drool Tube...etc.
Pulled the Drain plug and filter, I always put the drain plug next to the new filter and oil so I know where its at and remember to put it in.......

SO I, doing other things while its draining.... Hand wax, puttering... the usual...

Go back to the bike and put in the funnel and look down to reach for new filter, spin it on, tighten, then reach for the first quart as there is nothing else on the ground by the oil.... start pouring in.... good song on the radio...... that one goes in fine.... start on the next one....  do deee doo...... next one..... doo de doo..... working on the 4th one and look down and notice a spreading stain next to the drain pan....

Yep...  I must have kicked the plug under the bike as I was puttering..... luckily I had left the drain pan under the bike....

Almost 4 quarts of fresh thru the motor and into the pan along with the used oil.....was over the top and oil still coming out of the motor.....

Hurriedly put the plug in to stop the flow, and give me time to empty the pan.... but now I have to drain the rest of whatever is still in the motor as now I don't know how much is in the motor and have to start fresh......

So there goes almost $28 of oil and I now have to go to the store as I just have 3 quarts in the shop.....

D'oh!!!!

B

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well ok, since we are confessing our sins. A few years back I did an oil change on my Standard. Got it all done and everything put away. Started up the bike to run it around the block. I'm sitting on the bike talking to my wife when all of the sudden I see a spreading ocean of Mobil 1 below me. Evidently the old rubber gasket had stuck to the bike and I didn't notice it. 2 rubber gaskets work very well for 43.8 seconds. After that, not so well. Cleaning up 4 quarts of oil off the floor is not something I care to do again.

[Beardo]

Well ok, since we are confessing our sins. A few years back I did an oil change on my Standard. Got it all done and everything put away. Started up the bike to run it around the block. I'm sitting on the bike talking to my wife when all of the sudden I see a spreading ocean of Mobil 1 below me. Evidently the old rubber gasket had stuck to the bike and I didn't notice it. 2 rubber gaskets work very well for 43.8 seconds. After that, not so well. Cleaning up 4 quarts of oil off the floor is not something I care to do again.

I did the same thing with a tractor in my Grandpa's shop when I was a teenager. I didn't check for the old oil filter gasket on the engine...and there is a lot of oil pressure in a JD4650. Oil shot out like it was coming out of a fire hose on fog...all over the grain trucks and the half ton that were parked in the shop.

Our windows were oily and dusty and hard to see through that whole harvest.