oil level in a dommie
 

ok I can't get a straight answer to this when do you check the oil level on a dommie I used to leave mine over night and then fill it up to full on the dipstick I have also been told that you have to take it for a ride stop the engine and check it straight away. The other option was to leave it for one minute after the engine has been stopped and then check it. All bring very different results could we have a decision please!!!!! Honda in new zealand say the one minute method but I don't trust them as the bike was never imported here and they seem to make things up!!!

Here's what the book says (2000 bike)
Start engine and let idle for a few minutes.
Stop engine, hold bike upright on level ground.
After a few minutes remove dipstick, wipe clean, replace dipstick, but DON'T screw in.
Remove stick and check level.

I've emailed a scan of the page to you.
Bill

Run it for bit then let it tickover for a minute. After 30 seconds or so dip the oil by resting the dipstick on the edge of the oil hole - don't screw it in. The reason you shouldn't check the oil after the engine has stopped for a while is because the oil in the frame can slowly leak through the oil pump into the sump. With a worn oil pump, quite rapidly! This is why you need to run it around rather than just let it tickover so all the oil is pumped back into the frame from the sump. Once I had an XL650LM (similar engine) of some maturity and, ignorant of the correct procedure, filled up the oil first thing in the morning - putting in two litres! The poor old bugger hardly moved until it had pumped all the oil out of the overflow, which took 50 miles and a very oily rear tyre.

------------------

Thanks guys looks like I've been doing it wrong for 7 years!!! The motor never seemed to mind though oh well you live and learn guess I just always had it over filled. Got the scan too brilliant cheers

Hi there,

I'm riding an XL600LM and i do the checking as follows: Ride for about 10 min. or 30 k's and stop on a flat level. I idle the bike for about 2 min., switch it off and take the dip stick out. Clean the thing,hold it back in(don't screw it in) and then i got a good reading of my oil level.
Hope it works for you that way as well cause the engine is kind of the same.

Cheers,Bossit

Hi there,

while we are on the subject, i have just purchased a 1989 nx650 (an early dominator)and (after a full service) have discovered that after 2 solid days riding with quite a bit of gear strapped on, that ive gone through just over a litre of oil, i have checked the engine over for obvious oil leaks and there are none

can anyone shed some light on this one, is it an old dommie characteristic to gulp down the oil?

many thanks

Dommies can blow oil straight out of the exhaust and you'd hardly notice, especially with modern semi-synth. It doesn't seem to smoke like oil used to in the bad ole days. Compression test followed by a look at your piston rings / bore or valve stems / seals might be in order if it's losing oil.

would this be the same as the 93 model dommie?cheers

Yes haydn, but I normally go a 10-15 min ride to get it up to temperature; much more fun! Mine is a 1989.

is motor oil and gear box oil all the same stuff in the dominator? i mean does it all go in the same inlet? also the bolt when you undo it to check the oil level in the crank case is that from the same inlet? cheers

Crankcase check bolt is just to check scavenging. It's the same oil.
Manual recommends running engine for 5 mins and NOT screwing in the dipstick.

Try here:
http://www.pixbyme.com/NX650/

All the info is on the 'lubrication system' PDF, which is 3.1mb
If I were you I would DL it all and stick it on a CD / print it.