Oil Sight Glass ?

dale55 · 04-06-2013, 10:51 PM

Just changed the oil in my 1500 Nomad WITHOUT changing the filter. I have put in 4 quarts of rotella synthetic and the oil in the sight glass is still not to full. Yes I am checking it on a level service and when it is cold. Thoughts??

dale

island hunter · 04-06-2013, 11:06 PM

i just changed mine on a 04 1500 nomad and it took,3.5 quarts and that was totally empty with filter removed,something diffently wrong i think.

ndbigfish · 04-06-2013, 11:35 PM

With the bike on the side stand carefully level the bike while watching the sight glass, using lumination. I think you'll see the sight glass fill up and go up past the top of the glass.

**a340driver** · 04-06-2013, 11:36 PM

I was going to say maybe your pouring it in the wrong hole, but that would be stupid.

chainsaw · 04-06-2013, 11:40 PM

Wondering why you didn't change the filter?

jandreu · 04-07-2013, 02:03 AM

I hate the sight glass on the Nomads. The bike has to be upright and level. There's no way to see the sight glass unless you use a mirror on a stick, well if your like me when I look down at the mirror the bike goes off level. Just a degree or two one way or the other and you read either over or under fill.

So, when I clean the bike I use a lift with Idaho's jack adapter. I put a 3 foot level across the luggage rack up against the sissy bar and centered. I then use the jack to level the bike. Then I look at the sight glass. I guess the only important thing is to consistently check the oil the same way. A half quart low probably does not matter much but to much oil can drown the seals and cause leaks.

Duffer · 04-07-2013, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dale55

Just changed the oil in my 1500 Nomad WITHOUT changing the filter. I have put in 4 quarts of rotella synthetic and the oil in the sight glass is still not to full. Yes I am checking it on a level service and when it is cold. Thoughts??

dale

Maybe a hole in the bottom????

dale55 · 04-07-2013, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duffer

Maybe a hole in the bottom????

Nope no leaks either. I be baffled?!

VulcanE · 04-07-2013, 07:36 AM

Dale, Is the bike sitting up level, in the same position it would be while riding it down the road on a straight away and not leaning over on the kick stand? That's the way your supposed to check it. When I check my oil, I kneel down on the right side of the bike, grab the throttle and brake with my right hand, and the wompus rack with my left and and pull the bike up until it almost balances itself (level) then look at the sight glass. When I change the oil and go to fill it with new, I got a block I put under the frame on the right side, and a block to put under the kick stand on the left, this holds the bike in a level vertical position, and with a filter change, It's never taken 4 qts, and I use a larger than stock filter.

olefiredog · 04-07-2013, 09:20 AM

Dale, just changed my 1500 also and took a little bit less than 4 qt container using Rotella T-6. That included the filter. I suspect you have it over filled. Hold the bike level and slowly the sight glass will show the actual oil level.

**cnc** · 04-07-2013, 09:58 AM

Are you by chance expecting the sight glass to be full when you check it?
There are two marks that the level should be between.

**ringadingh** · 04-07-2013, 10:00 AM

It should only take about 3.5 quarts with a new filter, If your concerned, drain it all out and measure it as you out it back in with a measuring cup.

recumbentbob · 04-07-2013, 10:34 AM

4 q without a filter change you are way over full.

roadhawg · 04-07-2013, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jandreu

I hate the sight glass on the Nomads. The bike has to be upright and level. There's no way to see the sight glass unless you use a mirror on a stick, well if your like me when I look down at the mirror the bike goes off level. Just a degree or two one way or the other and you read either over or under fill.

So, when I clean the bike I use a lift with Idaho's jack adapter. I put a 3 foot level across the luggage rack up against the sissy bar and centered. I then use the jack to level the bike. Then I look at the sight glass. I guess the only important thing is to consistently check the oil the same way. A half quart low probably does not matter much but to much oil can drown the seals and cause leaks.

I am another that one "hates" the "sight glass"
Very difficult for an ol fart like me to see it!
I would also ask the question "Why didnt you change filter?

Oil change
I have put 4 quarts (1 gallon) in a time or two, without any ill effects. Knock on wood!
I still dont believe a half quart low OR high is any big deal.

BC RED VAQ · 04-07-2013, 10:51 AM

Im no mechinic but sould he start the buke first like I said I don't know just my thoughts not trying to be stupid. It says to start my bike before I check it thats why Im asking.

04-06-2013, 10:51 PM	#1
dale55 Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 353	Oil Sight Glass ? Just changed the oil in my 1500 Nomad WITHOUT changing the filter. I have put in 4 quarts of rotella synthetic and the oil in the sight glass is still not to full. Yes I am checking it on a level service and when it is cold. Thoughts?? dale Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-06-2013, 11:35 PM	#3
ndbigfish Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Braunfels, Texas Posts: 1,162	With the bike on the side stand carefully level the bike while watching the sight glass, using lumination. I think you'll see the sight glass fill up and go up past the top of the glass. __________________ Brik VBA #1047 07 Electra Glide Ultra (43,300 & counting) 03 Nomad - 37,972 (traded 5/6/13) 99 Nomad - Only a memory since 4/27/13
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04-06-2013, 11:36 PM	#4
a340driver Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Langley B.C. Posts: 516	I was going to say maybe your pouring it in the wrong hole, but that would be stupid. __________________ JET-LAG
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04-06-2013, 11:40 PM	#5
chainsaw Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2,732	Wondering why you didn't change the filter? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-07-2013, 02:03 AM	#6
jandreu Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Makawao, Hawaii Posts: 1,409	I hate the sight glass on the Nomads. The bike has to be upright and level. There's no way to see the sight glass unless you use a mirror on a stick, well if your like me when I look down at the mirror the bike goes off level. Just a degree or two one way or the other and you read either over or under fill. So, when I clean the bike I use a lift with Idaho's jack adapter. I put a 3 foot level across the luggage rack up against the sissy bar and centered. I then use the jack to level the bike. Then I look at the sight glass. I guess the only important thing is to consistently check the oil the same way. A half quart low probably does not matter much but to much oil can drown the seals and cause leaks. __________________ James Andreu '07 1600 Red/Silver VBA Member #1356 jandreu@hawaiiantel.net
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04-06-2013, 11:06 PM	#2
island hunter Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Georgetown,P.E.I Canada Posts: 66	i just changed mine on a 04 1500 nomad and it took,3.5 quarts and that was totally empty with filter removed,something diffently wrong i think.
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04-07-2013, 07:36 AM	#9
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Dale, Is the bike sitting up level, in the same position it would be while riding it down the road on a straight away and not leaning over on the kick stand? That's the way your supposed to check it. When I check my oil, I kneel down on the right side of the bike, grab the throttle and brake with my right hand, and the wompus rack with my left and and pull the bike up until it almost balances itself (level) then look at the sight glass. When I change the oil and go to fill it with new, I got a block I put under the frame on the right side, and a block to put under the kick stand on the left, this holds the bike in a level vertical position, and with a filter change, It's never taken 4 qts, and I use a larger than stock filter. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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04-07-2013, 09:20 AM	#10
olefiredog Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 66	Dale, just changed my 1500 also and took a little bit less than 4 qt container using Rotella T-6. That included the filter. I suspect you have it over filled. Hold the bike level and slowly the sight glass will show the actual oil level. __________________ Central Iowa
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04-07-2013, 09:58 AM	#11
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	Are you by chance expecting the sight glass to be full when you check it? There are two marks that the level should be between. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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04-07-2013, 10:00 AM	#12
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	It should only take about 3.5 quarts with a new filter, If your concerned, drain it all out and measure it as you out it back in with a measuring cup. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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04-07-2013, 10:34 AM	#13
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	4 q without a filter change you are way over full. __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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04-07-2013, 10:51 AM	#15
BC RED VAQ Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Beecher City IL 62414 Posts: 320	Im no mechinic but sould he start the buke first like I said I don't know just my thoughts not trying to be stupid. It says to start my bike before I check it thats why Im asking. __________________ Only a motorcycle rider knows why a dog sticks he head out the car window. Enjoy life.
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