Checking the oil - KZ1000-K2

I know this is a really basic question but I want be certain that I've got this right. My bike burns some oil so I need to be diligent about getting the level right.

When I check my oil when the bike has been sitting overnight and before starting, where should the level be? On my bike, before the engine is started the oil level is above the upper mark on the engine cover.

Reason I ask is I was always taught to check the oil after the engine has run for at least a minute or so to lubricate the top of the engine. When I do that, or when checking oil during a fuel stop, the sight glass is initially clear, then as oil starts to drain back to the sump I see the level rise in the sight glass. At what point can I consider it a reasonable measurement?

Thanks!

first reply or post here. I'm no expert. Hell, I'm a relatively new owner. My understanding so far is that you check it cold, on the center stand or level. I kinda tripped out when I looked at my oil window while the bike was running and it was empty. Sounds like you may be overfilled until you burn some off.

Yup. Engine stone cold, bike level, oil between the lines

engine off, cold after oil has FULLY drained back down. There will still be some oil in the top end valve pockets, don't worry about that. I always tried to have mine go to the upper line on the sight glass fully drained down.

Um, the manual doesn't say anything about checking the oil when the engine is cold.
Are you all doing it that way because experience shows it's the best way?

Note: make sure the bike is level, even when using the center stand.

martin_csr wrote: Um, the manual doesn't say anything about checking the oil when the engine is cold.
Are you all doing it that way because experience shows it's the best way?

Note: make sure the bike is level, even when using the center stand.

From experience, you get a shift in level from the first few minutes after shutoff if you let it sit overnight. It's not a huge difference, a little because you are letting the oil more fully drain down into the oil pan which raises the level a little bit. So it's not that it has to be cold, it's that it has sat long enough to get all the oil that's going to run down to do so.

Oil expands when hot. I've always checked when cold.

bountyhunter wrote: From experience, you get a shift in level from the first few minutes after shutoff if you let it sit overnight. It's not a huge difference, a little because you are letting the oil more fully drain down into the oil pan which raises the level a little bit. So it's not that it has to be cold, it's that it has sat long enough to get all the oil that's going to run down to do so.

Thanks. It seems to me that if you do it the way the manual describes, you will effectively have more oil in the engine available for lubrication & cooling, since it won't be completely settled. I've always checked it the Kawasaki way & I add oil until the it's near the upper line to get a few extra ounces in there (filled so that the bottom of the U-shaped meniscus is below the upper line). Is this one of those which oil is better type things? :laugh:

Like I said, I don't think the difference between "five minutes after shutoff" level and let it drain down overnight level is a whole lot, but the latter definitely does register a HIGHER oil level since it lets more oil drain down into the pan which raises the level at the sight glass. I remember several times when I had it "centered between the lines" on the sight glass at five minutes but if I put it on the center stand and let it sit, the level would go above the top line. That freaked me out because if it's above the glass, I have no way to know for sure what the level is. Anyway, either way is OK but I have always found you will get a little higher level if you put it on the center stand and let it sit overnight.

Yep, I'm the same way. Run it, stop for gas, gas up, wait a few minutes, check oil, top up oil if necessary, take off. When I get back, put 'er up on the center stand, and the next day the level is above the lines. I haven't killed it yet, so I guess I'm doing all right.

So anyway, what oil do y...just kidding! :evil:

It doesn't make that much difference hot or cold, but if you are a rider who actually rides any distance, most the time you check while hot. One thing for sure, the KZ1000, if it uses oil, which most do to some extent, will use much less oil if you maintain oil lower levels. I was using oil at about 800 miles per quart on the road keeping oil at the full mark, by keeping it at the add mark, oil use was nearly zero.