Checking Oil Level with 43l Tank on (R100GS)

**Philippe[Hannibal]** · #1 19 Jan 2006

One thing I realised AFTER having installed the 43l fuel tank, is that checking oil level becomes a bit of a hassle.

Have to slightly losen the Tank, so that I cand lift it high enough to be able to stick the rod back in there. Oh, and to losen the tank, one must of course first remove the seat as well - which is fine since you need to access the tool box anyway to losen the Tank. Uhm... Not quite practical.

There must surely be a better way... Any suggestions out there?

**petefromberkeley** · #2 19 Jan 2006

You need to bend the dip stick just a little bit and it will clear the tank.

**Timo** · #3 19 Jan 2006

I do recall a hinged dip stick on the market at some point. I think maybe even touratech sold it. You might contact them or perhaps a major Airhead dealer like Motobins for information on whether this was ever produced and if it is still availible. I may be miss-remembering, but it is worth looking into.

**Mr. Ron** · #4 19 Jan 2006

...a hinged dipstick...Brilliant! I´ve been dismanteling my bike everytime i need to check, but usually when i check it, its at a time when i have to add some oil anyways and this is much easier without the tank. A hinged dipstick still sounds good though!

**Philippe[Hannibal]** · #5 20 Jan 2006

Thanks for the "hinged dipstick" hint, for which I am gratefull, as it is better tahn dismounting everything! However, although I'm not a geometry genius, bending it does affect the measurement.

Now, granted, this is not like launching a rocket to the space where confusing Inches and cm results in a fatal crash (yes, that's a cheap shot at our somewhat anglosaxon friends), but isn't there any other ideas out there?

Cheers lads.
Ph.

**Philippe[Hannibal]** · #6 20 Jan 2006

Just kidding!
That should work - thanks!
Ph.

**Timo** · #7 20 Jan 2006

The only thing I would be concerned about with a hinged dip stick is it interfering with something it shouldn't in the engine. It should hang straight enough to give an accurate reading. For that matter, there is no reason that you couldn't make a telescoping or flexible (plastic?) dipstick that was kept elsewhere on the bike, and then use a cap for the oil filler hole instead of the all in one approach. This might be a simpler solution, just cut a flexible piece of metal or heat resistant plastic, and keep it stored in your central frame tube where you can get at it easily.

**Philippe[Hannibal]** · #8 21 Jan 2006

Timo: this sounds like a pretty good idea! That's what I call lateral thinking.
I will try this out.
Thanks!

[This message has been edited by Philippe[Hannibal] (edited 20 January 2006).]

**Timo** · #9 21 Jan 2006

Glad you like the idea, but you give me to much credit! While I am thinking about it the ideal materal would be a transmission or oil dipstick out of a large engine. These tend to be long and flexible, far more so then the BMW one. Cutting a peice of the requried length with a loop or hook on one end so you don't lose and can judge the correct depth should work just fine. It would even be nice to have without the big tank - I always seem to manage to burn my fingers while doing this with the stock (hot) dipstick while on the road.

Let us know if it doesn't work so I can discredit the idea if it's a failure!

**gsworkshop** · #10 1 Feb 2006

Great idea, I will try it myself, Just make sure you don't drop it down the hole.
To get back to the hinged idea, their is nothing that can really get cought but it can end up going down the wrong hole which can even happen when you bend the dipstick to much to get it in and out from under the tank.

**Fritz** · #11 4 Feb 2006

I find I can just flex the dipstick as I insert it, no need to actually bend it unless you want too. i also fill up oil with roll of scrap paper to save the funnel probs. Keep tourist info just for that use. Hope helpfull

**Sean Kelly** · #12 20 Feb 2006

Hi

Yep, just bend it gently as you slide it back in (ahem!). There's a bit of a knack, no need to move the tank - but putting oil in with the tank on, now that's messy.

Sean