[canadaman123]

ok, this is going to sound really stupid....I just got a 2000 yamaha r1 and the oil light has come on and off a few times today. i see the little check guage, but i'm not sure what position the bike should be in to check it. if it's leaned over to the left on the stand, there's no oil in the little window....if i hold it up so it's level, the oil shows up at a good level. What is the proper way to check it? thanks... :twfrox:

 

[Gas Man]

Croutch down on the side of the oil sight glass... pull the bike up level. The oil level should be between those lines...I like to keep mine towards the top...

 

[canadaman123]

interesting....thanks for the reply. is there a reason that my oil light would come on since the level is in the middle of the glass? :twfrox:

 

[Gas Man]

Is the light always on? When is it on?

If so you might have a problem with your oil pump.

 

[canadaman123]

it only comes on for like a minute every so often. not every time it runs. usually shortly after starting it. i think it's happened 3 or 4 times since i got it on friday.

on a side note, it's gotten progressively more "clunky" when shifting in the lower gears (1st to 2nd to 3rd). with regular city driving, i'll accelerate to around 5,000 rpm, pull the clutch, shift, and when i go to let the clutch back out with gas it's like it slams into gear sort of. this goes away in the higher gears, and if i let the clutch out reeeaall slow, it doesn't do it. i don't know if that has anything to do with oil or lubrication, but thought i'd throw it out there. thanks!

 

[Gas Man]

Sounds like you are actually having a oil pumping problem. These problems might all be connected and due to a lack of oil movement in the drivetrain.

 

[canadaman123]

is this an expensive fix or is there something i can replace myself? i have ordered the hayes manual....is that going to help?

 

[Gas Man]

The problem could be extensive.... I'm just not sure where to direct you to start...

 

[No Worries]

The first thing I would do with a used bike is drain the oil. Most bikes have a little magnet in the oil plug. I would check that and maybe even cut open the old oil filter. If there is a lot of metal, it could be lack of maintenance or something mechanical. See how it runs with the proper type and amount of fresh oil. Then go from there.

 

[Gas Man]

See...there is wisdom I am trying to wait for him to hear!!

 

[jeeps84]

Those bikes have clunky trans to start with. Definitely change the oil if you haven't already.

Is the oil light coming on while the bike is idling or while ridding?
Are you bogging it down to very low rpm's? (below 700) If so, the oil pressure will droop enough to trip the light.

 

[canadaman123]

here's the deal....i think the oil was actually low. i had checked it when it was hot (really hot) and i think i was tilting it too much towards the viewing window, getting an incorrect reading. i went ahead and got some valvoline 4-stroke motorcycle oil and put about 3/4 quart in it. the light doesn't come on any more. i talked to the seller again and he said the bike is probably due for an oil change soon. i'll wait for my hayes manual and do it myself when that comes.

i feel better knowing that the clutch is "clunky" normally. it's gotten better since adding the oil. just gotta get used to it.

on another note, how hot is too hot on these bikes? there is a temp readout on the tachometer in degrees F. it's gotten up to 206* during the day in the city. is that normal? at speed the temp goes down to around 150-160 normally. is there a way to get the radiator fan to kick in more often when i'm driving slow? thanks!

 

[jeeps84]

It takes a stand or two people to check the oil accurately. A stand or another person to hold the bike straight upright.
The temp sound about normal. I think you will also find the more you get use to the bike the less clunk you will get from the trans.

 

[Gas Man]

:iagree:

The temps are fine... hot is like 225+ but not so hot to kill it... but close...

With the oil...remember your engine and tranny (more specifically the clutch) share the same oil!

 

[Bandit 6S]

My bike is alot smoother with synthetic oil. I was going 2000-2500 between changes with dino oil. I'm hoping to get 4000 with synth. When it starts feeling clunky, I'll know to change it. Warm-ups are alot quicker too. I'm using Mobil 1 and am really happy so far. :2cents:

 

[jeeps84]

Moibl makes good oils. :dthumb:

 

[Gas Man]

Why o why do people view oil changes as such a hassle... change it and change it often...it is the motors blood! :nonod:

Waiting for the motor to start clunking to change your oil is WAY too late!!!

 

[bumblebee]

Why o why do people view oil changes as such a hassle... change it and change it often...it is the motors blood! :nonod:

Waiting for the motor to start clunking to change your oil is WAY too late!!!

Oh My Gosh... :jd: GMan and I agree on something!! :cheers: But he is right!! Change your oil frequently!!! pay attention the the consistency, the color and the smell...your oil will tell you when/if something is going bad...I change my oil and filter about every 1500 - 2000 miles or 6 weeks, whichever comes first. Oil is cheap!!! Engines ain't...Besides, it gives me, Snakemann and 99birdv6 an excuse to sit in the shop and drink beer... :cheers: :dthumb:

 

[DLIT]

Oh My Gosh... :jd: GMan and I agree on something!! :cheers: But he is right!! Change your oil frequently!!! pay attention the the consistency, the color and the smell...your oil will tell you when/if something is going bad...I change my oil and filter about every 1500 - 2000 miles or 6 weeks, whichever comes first. Oil is cheap!!! Engines ain't...Besides, it gives me, Snakemann and 99birdv6 an excuse to sit in the shop and drink beer... :cheers: :dthumb:

I agree w/ G-Man too. Change that **** every 2K synth or no synth. I run the Castrol R4 synth and change it every 2K or 2 months, but the 2K usually comes first. Take care of the bike and the bike will thank you. Bike motors will last a while, you just have to take care of 'em.

 

[Gas Man]

Thanks guys... I just don't get it... maybe I've just been taught differently... I would never try to squeeze every bit of life out of the oil... its just not worth it!