Checking Xmission and final drive oil level.

[organizedentropy]

My Clymer manual states to do the check on the side stand and the change/fill on the center stand. So, do you check the oil level in the trans and final drive while the bike is on the side-stand or on the center stand?

Gregg

[allanj255]

According to the BMW service CD you fill to the bottom of the filler neck, no mention of side stand so I assume it is with the bike upright.

[ruddy]

My Clymer manual states to do the check on the side stand and the change/fill on the center stand. So, do you check the oil level in the trans and final drive while the bike is on the side-stand or on the center stand?

Gregg

In my Clymer manual #M503-3 under oil level check instructions for both the transmission and final drive, it says to "Place the bike on the center stand..." or to insure it's level. Check pages 59 and 60.

[organizedentropy]

Ruddy,
Thanks for your reply. I have the M503-2 manual, which covers my 2004 R1150R. I guess it is a version one year older than yours. The info in my book concerning the oil level check starts on page 59, same as yours. The first step states: "1. Place the motorcycle on the sidestand, or auxiliary stand, on level ground." Maybe mine has a slight misprint. It indicates an auxillary stand can be used and that always means to me to use a center stand. Similar to what would be used for a dirtbike. I called two BMW dealers and asked their techs and they indicated using the centerstand method. The manual I have covers the cruiser versions as well and I believe most of them come without a centerstand. So maybe that accounts for the misprint in some fashion. Just looked at page 60 for the final drive level check and it says, "1. Place the motorcycle on the sidestand on level ground."

Anyway, I am going to check the trans and final drive oil levels with the bike on the center stand. Your info and confirmation from the BMW service techs makes me feel good about doing it in this manner.

Thanks,
Gregg

[organizedentropy]

Anyone else using the Clymer M503-2 manual?

[tor1150r]

I have the M503-2. Yes...It says side stand. A typo??

I'll go with ruddy's info.

[ruddy]

I also have a Haynes service & repair manual #3466 that covers '93 to '04 4-valve twins. On page 10 it says, "Place the motorcycle on its centre stand, making sure it is on level ground." for both gearbox and final drive oil level checks.

Frankly, I don't see putting it on the center stand to put in the proper amount of oil and using the side stand to check the level. You couldn't possibly get an accurate reading that way.

I can only guess the writer was thinking of a "C" model w/o a center stand and left out some critical information.

[geothepencil]

Those without centerstands can use a wheel chock like the Baxley to get the bike level. We use one of those on Mary's R1200S which doesn't have a centerstand. By the way the M503 manual says centerstand too. That covers the 93-98 models.

My 02 Roadster actually balances on the stand so that both wheels are off the ground. I put a piece of wood under the rear tire as I just don't like the idea of the bike supported by the stand alone for long periods of time. Anybody elses do that ?

geo

[Paul Mihalka]

IMHO Checking the oil level in the transmission or rear drive is not needed at all. That oil does not get consumed, burned, or goes anywhere but to the outside if leaking. If it was filled with the correct amount it is OK. If you don't see it on the outside, it is on the inside.

[boxermania]

And now for the tech disertation.......

Anyoil checks should be done with the bike on the center stand, or if not fitted with a C/S, then with the bike level.

The reason behind this is that the level should be brought to the bottom of the threads, however, with the bike on the side stand (the bike leaning to the left) the oil level will move downward and away from the threads, prompting the user to add more oil.

So what? Well, labyrinth oil seals are made to control oil splash not direct oil contact and with the propensity for our bikes to sometimes to leak at the seals it is best not to overfill.

As a Mythbuster, and since I no longer have my bike, I challenge one of our able handed owners to the following experiment:

With the bike on the centerstand and the oil at the proper level, proceed to place the bike on the side stand and observe what happens to the oil level.....and report accordingly. If the change is barely noticeable that might explain the "typo" on the M503-2.

Anyone, anyone......

[geothepencil]

Another thing we have done is use a clock level resting on the tank to determine when the bike is upright for oil/other checks. Takes two people, but it works well. Probably overkill !

geo

[organizedentropy]

And now for the tech disertation.......

Anyoil checks should be done with the bike on the center stand, or if not fitted with a C/S, then with the bike level.

The reason behind this is that the level should be brought to the bottom of the threads, however, with the bike on the side stand (the bike leaning to the left) the oil level will move downward and away from the threads, prompting the user to add more oil.

So what? Well, labyrinth oil seals are made to control oil splash not direct oil contact and with the propensity for our bikes to sometimes to leak at the seals it is best not to overfill.

As a Mythbuster, and since I no longer have my bike, I challenge one of our able handed owners to the following experiment:

With the bike on the centerstand and the oil at the proper level, proceed to place the bike on the side stand and observe what happens to the oil level.....and report accordingly. If the change is barely noticeable that might explain the "typo" on the M503-2.

Anyone, anyone......

After I read the manual I checked it with the bike on the side stand and found the level to be very low. Maybe a 1/2" below the threads, but it was hard to tell from the angle of the dangle. It seemed dodgey to check the level with the bike on the side stand, since it makes more sense to check it in the orientation that the bike with be operating in. When I put the bike on the center stand and checked it, it was perfect. Hence, this discussion. I think it is a typo in the Clymer M503-2 Manual.

BTW Boxermania, what happened to your bike?

[boxermania]

Sold both the '02 R1150R and the '98 1200S Bandit the latter part of May this year.

There is a strong possibility that my work will take me back overseas sometime on the first quarter of next year, for a longer term. Since I was gone for 11 months before and depended on my good friend/ridding buddy to keep the steeds exercised.....I felt that it was in everyone's best interest to sell them, while the riddin' season was in full bloom.

The BMW went like hot cakes, sold the second day, the Bandit took a little longer but sold as well. I'm not bikeless, since I still have the '79 CBX that I'm rebuilding.

Thanks for asking.......