Checking the oil through that little window..?

[adele]

Is there some kind of magical way to check the oil on an '84 Virago 700 other than having to gauge it by looking through that tiny little window that is way at the bottom?
   There has got to be a better way.

[dm_gsxr]

Pretty much no. The filler is above the clutch so you can't put in a dipstick. Maybe it's technique? I know I had some scary moments until I figured out how to safely check it, at least for me.

I get on my left knee and lean my right knee against the plastic sliding the right foot under the bike so the lower leg is flush with the bodywork. Then I can lean the bike over on my knee and it's nice and solid and I can easily look at the sight glass. I've also used a dentists mirror while sitting on the bike but the knee trick seems to be perfect and the bike feels real solid when I'm checking.

Carl

[Biglar]

Honeeeey, Can you come here and hold the bike please........... Yes right now!

[maddjack]

Do like I did with my Nomad for a home check,get a friend, get the bike up right and level,measure the distance on the side opposite the kickstand frame to floor,measure distance from kickstand pad (in down position ) to floor.get wood make a nice set of wooden blocks to place one under frame then one under the kick stand foot pad to hold level when friend is not around.Wait a few min ,check oil.Bike cannot fall over as long as you place frame block first then pad block and remove pad block first then frame block. See photos.
the blocks
Frame side note sight glass

Kickstand side
cost..it was scrap wood.couple of deck screws

[adele]

Everything that have come up so far are really good ideas.  
 
    I've done the one with the blocks of wood that Maddjack has come up with. But, I used small rounds of wood instead.  I totally forgot all about it tho...thanks

  And as far as the 'Honey come help' thing.....I already tried that ..ppllbbbbbpphhtzzzt.  We just ain't on the 'click' mode with each other lately.     Hopefully soon........I'm workin' on it Biglar.

   I have not tried the leg thing that dm_gsxr came up with.....I'm afraid that I'd not be able to negotiate the center of gravity so that I wouldn't end up either under the bike or trying to scramble under the bike on the other side to get her back up from going too far.
      Aha...but that is another thing that I'm in the process of 'getting better'.

   I'm gonna have to let ya'll know how I finally 'get'r done'.  hahhaha  ~wink~

 Thanks everybody...so far!

[1moreroad]

Pretty much no. The filler is above the clutch so you can't put in a dipstick. Maybe it's technique? I know I had some scary moments until I figured out how to safely check it, at least for me.

I get on my left knee and lean my right knee against the plastic sliding the right foot under the bike so the lower leg is flush with the bodywork. Then I can lean the bike over on my knee and it's nice and solid and I can easily look at the sight glass. I've also used a dentists mirror while sitting on the bike but the knee trick seems to be perfect and the bike feels real solid when I'm checking.

Carl

Hold the front brake while doing this.

[dm_gsxr]

The leg thing sounds more complicated than it really is. I was doing the balancing act and afraid of having the bike fall over. While out travelling last year I all of a sudden did it this way and it worked much easier.

Here's an example:



It's rock solid, no worries about it falling over on top of me and I can lean down a little or shine a light and see the sight glass clearly.

If you're on a hill or something, of course grab the front brake. But you shouldn't be checking the oil unless you're reasonably level anyway

Carl

[Canuck]

I always use the dentist mirror method. Works great. Sit on the bike, stand it up straight, put mirror at about 45 degree angle beside windown, look down. If it's a bit dark, such as inside a garage, having a flashlight handy helps. Just shine it into the mirror and the light reflects onto the window.

Actually it isn't a dentist's mirror I have, it's a mechanic's mirror. It is telescoping, mirror at one end, magnet at the other, so it is also great for fishing dropped nuts and washers out of tiny crevices. Very handy little tool. I even take it on trips with me.

[basco]

I wish my Sprint ST had a little glass window. But no, they have a dipstick.

[maddjack]

I wish my Sprint ST had a little glass window. But no, they have a dipstick.

I agree with you ,as my Speed Triple is the same and its a PIA At times

[bomber]

The man has talent  

and fully functional knees!

[Willie G]

....or just put it up on the centerstand.....    

[adele]

The leg thing sounds more complicated than it really is. I was doing the balancing act and afraid of having the bike fall over. While out travelling last year I all of a sudden did it this way and it worked much easier.

Here's an example:

Ya I gotta admit that using the front brake would make it all work.
  The only problem is.........that my little window is on the other side of the bike.  hahaha Don't it just figure?  I guess I could put it in gear....would that help?
   
  As for using the center stand.....I'm still working on the center of gravity while not on the bike.
But, I know that I can pick it up from either side now!!!!  Boooyah!
   
 

[cal_tony]

My CBR fell on me  :crazy:as I was trying to hold the bike upright while on was on my hands and knees trying to view the sight glass. Thank goodness for ATGATT.

Now I pay a bit more attention.

Tony

[billlang675]

The man has talent  

and fully functional knees!

  oh yea i know what you mean!

[dm_gsxr]

The man has talent  

and fully functional knees!

And I'm only 50  

Carl

[FlowBee]

To check the oil on the KTM, you're supposed to warm up the engine to 4 bars, then allow to idle for 1 minute, then shut off and wait 20 seconds, then check in the sight tube on the side of the sump.  The bike must be vertical to check.

There's no centerstand.    So...



A Baxley LA Chock.  Best money I've spent this year.

[happybusa]

I have a centerstand on my busa, vfr; but not the others......
a Kondor stand at home,
plenty of friends to help check the glass window,

but

I will try using my knees as well, all joking aside.
Carl is smarter than he looks.
 

those blocks look serious, and I work with timberframe homes!

ride staight,
sully

[Mo Throttle]

Is there some kind of magical way to check the oil on an '84 Virago 700 other than having to gauge it by looking through that tiny little window that is way at the bottom?
   There has got to be a better way.

The inspection mirror (on a stick) method.

[Uncle Bob]

I've found that being an average rider, my balance is effective enough to hold the bike upright while sitting next to it  

I've yet to have a bike fall on me while checking my oil.  I'd knock on wood....if I perceived it as a possibility.  Maybe after a fifth of jack daniels it could happen....