Maintenance and checking oil level

I just wanted every one to remember, when checking the oil, do not check the amount by inserting the dip stick and screwing all the way in and then looking at the level.
As indicated in the repair manual,
"Start the engine and let it idle for 2-3 min. Turn off and the engine and support the scooter on a level surface.
remove the oil filler cap/dipstick and wipe the oil from the dipstick with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick into the oil filler hole without screwing it in.
I found out, that I was WAY off today. but no damage was done that I could tell. I believe by checking it the wrong way that I was off almost 2 cups of oil.

i have always checked it by screwing the dipstick all the way in and never had a problem....but will rethink my oil checking strategy.

How much in a "cup" Johnd

I've checked the oil after running the engine for a couple of minutes and then shutting off and waiting a minute or so like Honda specify. I've also just checked it cold without running the engine first and the levels appeared to be the same!
Do other people bother running the engine first or just do it cold?
And does it really matter?

I also have a Honda PCX and I had a Deauville and it didn't seem to make any difference with them either.

The not screwing the dipstick in bit is important though.

Old Limey wrote:

How much in a "cup" Johnd

According to Delia, the volume of an American cup measures 240ml.

Meldrew wrote:

Old Limey wrote:

How much in a "cup" Johnd

According to Delia, the volume of an American cup measures 240ml.

If that's what Delia says then that's good enough for me!!!

I check my oil cold while on center stand. Of course I do NOT screw it back in; just stick it back in the hole after wiping clean. Since I don't ride as often as many do, I check the oil just before each ride. Through 8,000+ miles have only had to add just a "bit" a couple of times to keep it up to the full line. Also what helps me feel secure about the oil is that the SWing is kept in my garage where I would immediately see any indication of oil leakage. And that's my 2 cent dissertation and all that it's worth.

DickO wrote:

I check my oil cold while on center stand. Of course I do NOT screw it back in; just stick it back in the hole after wiping clean.

+1

How much in a "cup" Johnd
Old Limey, that depends on if it's a coffee cup of a tea cup. :lol!:

Aw, come on Johnd. I grew up with pints quarts and Gallons. Then i was told by the all powerful EU, that i had to measure everything in mls and Litres. I still get confused over Half inch is 15mm. We have Teacups Beakers and mugs and Pint pots ( i opt for pint pot, sod the EU). Anyway i top up the oil if needed by enough to bring it back up to the correct level.

Personally I think the USA has it all wrong. I believe we should be like the rest of the world and convert to metric. Why should we be any different?

I was raised on the Imperial system. In the 60's we went SI. If anyone thinks the Imperial system is better than the SI, they also need or already have a car tire on the back wheel of their Swing.

What's all this nonsense about topping up the oil, these are Hondas we are talking about after all !!!

Okay "bigbird", I'll ask... what is 'SI'??? I know it's going to be simple but have never seen it before...

Hello. Bikerbou.
We are talking about the blood that keeps our rides running the way they should. Just like the blood YOU need to stay alive.
It doesn't"t mater what system you use,the point is, check regularly and according to the book.
They wrote the bible on how to maintain and take care of our machines, so I believe they (who ever wrote the book) should know the best way how to maintain our scooters. "In my opinion"
And its not about just topping off. we are talking about the difference if almost a 9 TAB spoon baster (used in marinating a chicken or Turkey) filled 6 times.
For a system that takes only 2.2 liters or 2.3 US qt. that is a large percentage.
Am I correct there
bigbird
Silver Wing Guru ?

DickO wrote:

Okay "bigbird", I'll ask... what is 'SI'??? I know it's going to be simple but have never seen it before...

Systeme Internationale, today's modern Metric System.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_System_of_Units

John D
I check the oil and everything else every time I take the SWing out on the road. It like all my other Honda bikes has never needed topping up. I was very surprised to have to top up my CRV car last week, a small amount ( ~200mls), the first time in 50,000 miles !!
As a side issue, has anyone changed the tyre valves for something more user-friendly? I was thinking of going for the bolted in alloy ones I had on my Deauville .

johnd wrote:

Personally I think the USA has it all wrong. I believe we should be like the rest of the world and convert to metric. Why should we be any different?

Our government likes to add things but not replace them. The USA authorized use of the metric system in 1866. Almost a century and a half later, we still haven't gotten around to requiring its use. But we indeed have an odd mix of measurement systems that causes problems from time to time.

I suppose you are right Bigbird. When i started biking in the sixties, there was Whitworth, A/F(american Fine) and the continental Metric. I still have spanners(wrenches) with these measurements on them.I think it took the Japanese bike dominance to make us realise we needed just one universal measurement. But old dogs and new tricks springs to mind. I don't have, and don't want a car tyre on my bike

Old Limey wrote:

I don't have, and don't want a car tyre on my bike

Amen to that!