Quick question I just changed my oil over to synthetic (love it BTW) slowly added 4 qts with the filter change to get it perfectly centered in between the hash marks I checked it according to the Yamaha manual with the engine warm let it stand for 30 seconds check with bike upright (I had it on my stand) and put the dipstick in but do not screw it in. Question is this how everyone has been doing it? cause I see a lot of posts with people only using 3.75qts. that would put me below the center of the hash marks. I haven't had any SVS on my O5 R* and I want to keep it that way any input would be great!

That's the way I do it but I screw in the dip stick and then unscrew and check. That gets me right at the middle of the hatch marks (approx 4 qts).

Ralph

You probably don't want to hear this but I don't use the dipstick.

I take my time draining the oil, sometimes overnight, and just add a bit less than 4 L (about 4 qt).

If you use the dipstick, don't screw it in to check the oil level.

Dpc

Hey guys,

Stopped by my dealer in Johnstown, Ohio last Friday to see where he was with my 05 midnight*. As of last Friday, he'd had it for two weeks and a day. He was supposed to re-jet the carb and perform the 600 mile maintenance for me. IF you guys recall, the carb was jetted too rich from day one, as he installed the stage two performance kit before I ever saw the bike. I asked twice if there was anything wrong with it, since it wouldn't idle and he said "No, just needs plugs, these bikes were meant to be ridden, not started." Well, after 800 miles, it fouled another set of plugs, I dropped it taking off from the house on a corner with an incline when it stalled. He, as well as the factory tried to tell me I over choked it. I told the factory, that with it having a stage 2 kit and running too rich, I choked it as long as it needed. If it sounded like it was going to die, I'd leave it out a notch. Then the factory told me I didn't let it warm up properly and that they have it all documented. Sounds like I needed an attorney with me before I called Yamaha. They are real good at covering their butts, aren't they.
Well, after two weeks and a day, my dealer says that the Yamaha Service Tech was there and went over the correct prcedure for checking the oil with him, as he may have had too much oil in it from the beginning. WHAT! It takes my dealer two weeks to learn how to check the frickin oil!!??? I asked him if that could be why I have oil developing around the bottom of my rear push rod tube? HE said it could be. Really!!??? So now I'm waiting for him to re-jet, which by the way he tells me that the tecch told him it shouldn't be too far away from stck jetting. I'm thinking, then why does Yamaha tell you that you must use their Speedstar jet kit with the rest of the stage 2 kit?
After the re-jetting, he has to change the plugs and go into a ten minute ot 10 mile ride, let it cool, then warm it up, then let it sit for so many seconds. OK, I get it, you want to make sure that nobody gets this procedure right, in order to blame more things on the owners, if what appears to be SVS come up? I can't help but think this with my experience and see the writing on the wall. Honestly guys, it sounds like another post I read where after so many miles it gets another problem and the dealer says, "Sorry, now it's out of warranty and not my problem."
What do you think, too long for learning how to check the oil? By the way, my book says to always check the oil before riding and the dealer says the new procedure says to ride before checking the oil. RIGHT!!!! (make it sound like Bill Cosby when you read that last part)

Sorry for such a long post guys, but I'm getting real frustrated and lost my confidence in this bike weeks ago.

Ty

????? Well after all that I'm confused You ride your bike for 10 miles or 10 minutes shut it off, warm it up, stand on your head, do the happy dance, turn yourself around and stick your finger in the oil??? I love YamaMama!
Even the stealers can't keep it straight!! You would think checking the oil (especially if it is sooooo important to prevent SVS) would be more cut and clear!

Cut the distick off. It makes it easier to get the cap on when you change oil. Adding or subtracting oil to get it to a certain place on the stick is a waste of time and you end up not really knowing how much you have in there because the stick is completely unreliable from one check to the next. 4 qts with a filter at the oil change. Then ride it. Do the same thing at the next change. My .0063 cents anywho.

Try this link its from the Yamaha Star web site.... I did it like this and made shore it was in the middle of the dip stick with out screwing it in..

https://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/service/viewservicetip.aspx?ls=star&yr=2005&lid=2&mid=18&tid=8

Thanks highway1700. I've been doing everything wrong when checking the oil.

kayakguy wrote:
Thanks highway1700. I've been doing everything wrong when checking the oil.

Don't worry, kayakguy. Apparently, so has Yamaha...

Personally, I've never checked my oil. Never seen a droplet under the bike, either.

EDIT: OK, I should qualify that last statement...I've changed the oil in filter, put in 4 quarts, and never check it after THAT...

RK<br><br>Post edited by: Roadkill1962, at: 2007/07/02 19:21

Hey Highway1700 you notice on that video the guy didn't choke the bike and warm it up for a full 2 min. first before he rode off?? Thanks for the link.