How would a KZ act that is low on oil?

What characteristics, if any, would a KZ that is low on oil, or has very dirty oil have? Could you tell something wasn't right by riding? Would there be any noticable performance changes?

if it is 1000 or any of the big ones you really wont notice much except for a major heat build up and it wouldn't be much of an issue unless you where right out of oil because they use a roller bearing bottom end and are as tough as nails but if you have a 650 or 750 you would have problems they use a plain bearing crank so clean oil and the proper amount of oil is ultra important. you can seize or spin bearings in which case you will kill a crank and possibly even your cases. so don't let it happen in either case if it gets too hot you can and will damage pistons and cylinders at the very least.

timebomb33 wrote:

if it is 1000 or any of the big ones you really wont notice much except for a major heat build up and it wouldn't be much of an issue unless you where right out of oil because they use a roller bearing bottom end and are as tough as nails but if you have a 650 or 750 you would have problems they use a plain bearing crank so clean oil and the proper amount of oil is ultra important. you can seize or spin bearings in which case you will kill a crank and possibly even your cases. so don't let it happen in either case if it gets too hot you can and will damage pistons and cylinders at the very least.

Ditto!

I have to lean my bike back over to the right (from side-stand position), to assist the thicker oil I use to move to the right side of the head on startup. Else it makes the tell-tale tick-tick-tick of the cams pretty loud, until the first rollout. Thats a sign for me after it has sat for some time.

Good Luck.

The clutch might grab differently... low oil and you run the risk of burning/warping plates.