Changing the oil. How much?

Ray J
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Changing the oil. How much?

01 Aug 2007 17:46

I was frustrated. Now I'm scared. How much old oil is supposed to drain when you change your oil? I just drained my oil and only 2 quarts and 24 ounces came out. The manual says 3.9 quarts. According to my math, this ain't even close. Is there a lost quart up there somewhere? The oil level was right at the middle of the window when I started.

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The Milkman
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Re: Changing the oil. How much?

01 Aug 2007 17:59

#161213

Did you pull the filter, some more will come out with that too?

78 650-C2, Stock engine, Jardine 4-2 Exh., 17-38 sprockets, dyna ignition and coils, coil wiring mod, carb mod.

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Ray J
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Re: Changing the oil. How much?

01 Aug 2007 18:09

#161216

Yep, pulled the filter.

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donthekawguy
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Re: Changing the oil. How much?

01 Aug 2007 18:27

#161217

3.9 quarts if no oil cooler.

Rathdrum Idaho
1971 Kawasaki g3ss
1972 Yamaha R5 350
1965 Suzuki Hillbilly
1964 Yamaha 125

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donthekawguy
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Re: Changing the oil. How much?

01 Aug 2007 18:29

#161218

Woops should have read the post. 1 quart don't seem too bad. Did you have the bike on the center stand when you checked it before you drained it?

Rathdrum Idaho
1971 Kawasaki g3ss
1972 Yamaha R5 350
1965 Suzuki Hillbilly
1964 Yamaha 125

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Ray J
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Re: Changing the oil. How much?

01 Aug 2007 18:53

#161228

I don't have a center stand. I was just balancing the bike by hand and the oil level was right in the middle of the window.

Post edited by: Ray J, at: 2007/08/02 08:04

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austin3119
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Re: Changing the oil. How much?

02 Aug 2007 21:35

#161476

Don't worry about it. These old engines are pretty darn near bullet proof. You could probably run 1.5 to 2 quarts and be just fine, although obviously I wouldn't reccomend it.

No worries.

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Ray J
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Re: Changing the oil. How much?

02 Aug 2007 23:58

#161492

OK, I'll just put in enough to get it even with the fill line in the window. Not sure that I won't worry, though. Seems like there should be a reason for missing a quart. Maybe it's a government bike where specs are only rough guidelines.

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JR
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Re: Changing the oil. How much?

03 Aug 2007 06:59

#161520

Ray J wrote:

OK, I'll just put in enough to get it even with the fill line in the window........

That's all I've ever done with any bike I ever had. As long as you fill up to the mark and keep it up to the mark or wherever it should be you will be fine.

1980 kz750E1, Delkevic exhaust

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ltdrider
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Re: Changing the oil. How much?

03 Aug 2007 07:24

#161523

Don't sweat it, Ray.
I don't know where all the oil goes, but it's nearly impossible to get it all out.
As long as you can see it in the sight window when the bike is level, you're good.
When you fill it, bring the level up the the middle of the sight glass (with the bike level). Then run it a few minutes. Let the oil settle, and add oil if necessary to bring it back to the middle of the sight glass.

'76 KZ900 LTD (Blaze)
'96 Voyager XII (Dark Star)
'79 KZ650 Cafe Project (Dirty Kurt)
Greensboro, NC

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Patton
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Re: Changing the oil. How much?

03 Aug 2007 10:40

#161551

The original '73 Z1 Owner's Manual says oil level should be between the lines on the inspection window, and stresses not overfilling. Also says where engine has just been run, to wait several minutes until the oil settles before taking a measurement.

1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD

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Ray J
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Re: Changing the oil. How much?

03 Aug 2007 12:22

#161576

Thanks guys for the info.
And say a prayer for those lost in the brige collapse.
35W is the northern lifeline to Minneapolis. There is no other freeway going north out of the city. Traffic is going to be nuts for the next year and a half.

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