Oil and XTs
 

Hi,
I have a Tenere(1VJ) and I was wondering if it is common for them to use oil. I had a BMW boxer before and it used a small amount which is a common traint.

I have only had the bike a short while and have only ridden up to the local bike shop for new tyres and of course the test ride. But when I checked the tank there was very little oil (no reading on the dipstick) Now I'll grant that perhaps the previous owner was less fastideous than me and I will change the oil this weekend so I'll have a better idea, but I was wondering whether this is something that this model does.
The engine shouldn't be a problem as it was only rebuild back in December last year and is willing and shows no sign of wear

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

I am also looking for a short screen to help cut the wind blast. Having checked the ususal sources I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions?


Steve

[This message has been edited by Stephen (edited 22 March 2003).]

Hey,

Screens are available from:

http://www.ermax.fr/
http://www.kedo.com/pp/de/index.asp
http://www.wunderlich.de/

Not qualified to say much on the oil front but think you´ll find that if you drive it for 10km and then check oil, it should be level.

Peace, Fin

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Hi Steve,
I have a 1vj too. When I first got it I too thought it was low on oil. I dinlt know anything about the bike eally ... just bought it on impulse. Anyway the upshot is that the oil drains from the tank in to the crankcases when it is not running. So when you look in the tank it seems empty. Don't do what I did... which was to fill the tank while the engine is cold because what you discover is that the 2.3 litres of oil that the bike holds all gets pumped back from the engine to the tank as you ride the bike.... and obviously if you filled up as I had done then there is more oil than the bike can cope with... which results in oil coming out everywhere....

My advice is:

1). run the bike for 20 minutes - actually ride it. Then check the oil tank.
2). change the oil...and measure the old oil that you take it. It should be about 2.1 litres.

If both of these things ring true you have no problem. refill with 2.1 litres of new oil and relax.... NO PROMBLEM!

good luck, email if you have probs...

cheers,

Simon

I am the previous owner and I am horribly fastideous! Thats why I spent £3000 on a rebuild! Checking the oil on an XT600 is an art form in itself. After the rebuild Dave Lambeth took 25 mins explaining the technique for doing this and demo'ing it.

1. Run the bike for 10 mins on the road to fully warm up the bike and engine. (this also sucks up all the oil from the crankcase where it can drop down to if the valve in the oil line is faulty) ( if it is there are no probs, just wait before checking the oil!).
2. Bring the bike to a stop but do NOT stop the engine and either get a mate to hold it upright, or prop it against a wall, do NOT put it on the side stand( you need to do this beacuse the oil pick up is on the right side of the bike).
3. With your third hand take off the side panel and loosen the oil filler cap to check the oil being aware that it could spurt out everywhere!

Yep, I know it sounds mad. Thats what DL said and that's what I fastideously did every 200 miles across the desert and back.

The oil level didnt drop through three changes and I would be rather suprised if it had since my last check 200 miles ago!

If you need to know stuff just give me a call!!

Dave

alternativly as my friend discovered you can simply knacker your shock. Then the bike barely tilts over when your stand is down!

( but riding off road is a bit of a bouncy castle affair!)

Dave

Of course Dave is absolutely correct.
New bike jitters on my part I am afraid.
Sorry Dave for any offence caused certainly not intended.
BTW the oil is fine and my six arms feel great after the workout


Steve