Let the oil go longer than I like. Clutch was getting horrible. So stopped riding and changed the oil.

My question is...is this to much oil? It's under the top markers but above half way.

As long as its measured on a cold engine thats fine

Book Says.."Between the upper and lower level lines"...you're fine;)Funny,In all these years of having 14's...I've never seen that little cast arrow on there You did check it with the bike vertical,yes?How much did you put in?With or without filter?Fill it next time the same amount as you did this time...you can't go wrong.If you're not changing the filter,go with about a 1/3 cup less oil.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/1/2015 @ 9:12 PM *

As long as its measured on a cold engine thats fine

+1 and also, that is with the bike balanced perfectly straight up and down on a level floor. That's right about where mine is when I do a oil and filter change with the service manual specced amount of oil.

* Last updated by: Rook on 3/2/2015 @ 9:22 AM *

Bike has sat over night and is on a rear stand. Bike is level. I did a oil and filter change. Added apron 4.3 quarts of oil.

* Last updated by: mrwoo on 3/2/2015 @ 5:49 AM *

Was the engine run for at least a minute after the oil and filter was changed? You need to have the filter saturated in order to check the oil level accurately.

Also, sorry, I gave you the wrong advise in my last post. DO NOT check the level with the bike on the sidestand. duh I edited that out to avoid confusion. Check with the bike perfectly level. Sounds like you got it!

My rear stand does not hold the bike perfectly level. It's close but off by a few degrees. Also, if the rear is up and the front is down, that is not level. They seem like minor points but with all of the questions about reading oil level, I always suggest having both wheels on the floor with the bike held balanced straight up and down. always check the oil in the same spot on the same floor with a cold engine that has had the oil circulated through the engine and filter at least 4-5 hours before doing the check. That's how I'd check it now. Use a helper to hold the bike if you're even a little concerned about dropping it.

I'm sure it's fine. If you verify that the textbook oil check yields the proper oil level, go ahead and check it on the rear stand henceforth. Just make sure you check exactly the same each time. All you need to know is that it is not over serviced and that the oil level is not going down as you use the bike.

When I do an oil and filter change on my Gen1, I fill with 4 qts, 10 oz and circulate oil. Several hours later, with the oil level checked cold, balanced on a level floor, the oil level is just below the top line like yours appears in the photo above. ...and that's how I do a reliable check every time.

* Last updated by: Rook on 3/2/2015 @ 9:25 AM *

From the manual:

Oil Level Inspection
•Check that the engine oil level is between the upper [A] and lower [B] levels in the oil level inspection window.
NOTE
Situate the motorcycle so that it is perpendicular to the ground.
If the motorcycle has just been used, wait several min- utes for all the oil to drain down.
If the oil has just been changed, start the engine and run it for several minutes at idle speed. This fills the oil filter with oil. Stop the engine, then wait several minutes until the oil settles.

I always start it for a little, then wait about 10 mins and fill to the top line, never had a problem
with any of my bikes ....
Also, looks like the picture in the service manual has the oil to the top line, not in between or at
the arrow ? Just my 2 cents, was wondering about level when cold (overnight) because it will be above the top
line ....

* Last updated by: carabuser on 3/2/2015 @ 9:45 AM *

If that's post run, looks good to me.

Mad

You can hold the bike vertical by squatting down aside the midfairing,facing backwards(natch).Grasp the throttle grip and brake lever with your right hand.Hold brake.Pull the bike upright.You will feel it balance.If you're not comfortable with that procedure,kneel instead of squat.With the brake held,if she starts to lean to the left(kickstand side)...no worries.If she tends to go towards you,your body will stop any movement(just lightly push bar away from you).It's very easy once ya get the feel of the balance point.Rook made a good point...having it on the rear stand.It will NOT read correctly(between the upper and lower level lines).

All of that really doesn't matter however if you fill according to the manual.It will ALWAYS be correct.If you fill as per manual...the attitude of the bike doesn't affect anything.Course,you knew that.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/2/2015 @ 12:54 PM *

Stop the engine, then wait several minutes until the oil settles.

Just my 2 cents, was wondering about level when cold (overnight) because it will be above the top
line ....

Thanks for the replies. Oil filter change. Filled and rode around the neighborhood. Put on rear stand and checked the next morning. That is the picture you see. Will take it off the rear stand and will double check the oil level holding bike up. Filled it to the same spot as last time. Just kept seeing black spots on tail of exhaust. Was trying to rule out filling to high. I guess I'm ok then.

Just kept seeing black spots on tail of exhaust.

Not oily more carbon like.

If you put the recommended amount in...it will be fine.

"Not oily more carbon like"..I've had those as well...I think it's condensation in the muffler...mixes with the soot,then sticks to the outlet end.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/2/2015 @ 9:13 PM *

not a problem. I have a blackish residue around my muffler outlet. It's dry. Just exhaust soot. Try some kind of chrome polish or just powdercoat black.

* Last updated by: Rook on 3/3/2015 @ 4:13 AM *

I have a blackish residue around my muffler outlet.

D... sounds like a proctologist visit is in order.

HEHEHHEHEHEH-heheh.

Finger wave/shortarm. Maybe I'm about due. Hope it's just exhaust soot!

Instead of powdercoating, you could try black VHT engine enamel. It dries to a matte finish. One coat of VHT engine clearcoat will give it a satin finish close to the rest of the exhaust. The stuff is quite brittle however. Expect touch ups. I wouldn't bother scuff sanding because I think it will chip off anyway.

Instead of starting a new thread I thought it better to pick up here:

I had a mobile tech come over and change my oil, etc. and about 4.4 qts. of oil was added. I am not sure how much was drained but assuming most the level in the sight glass it just above the top mark, about 1.5 hours after I rode it. I thought about taking some oil out but I cannot get anything in the filler hole to suck some out so I will let it sit overnight and check it again (level ground, wife holding it level). So in the morning I guess as long as it is between the lines I am ok. If not, is it worth the effort to try and get some out? I assume I will have to loosen the drain plug a little to get some out?

Checking oil has always been iffy. Check ALWAYS COLD in same spot of the very level front to back garage floor every time, balance bike so you know it is perfectly vertical and do not drop it. You will get the hang of how to hold the exhaust against your calf while you bend down to look....or use a mirror or a camera to view the site glass while you sit on the bike.

An hour and a half --oil is still running back to the oil pan but it is also shrinking in volume from heat loss. Check in the morning. Just a hair or two above the top mark isn't bad if you are sure you have the bike balanced perpendicular to the floor. The worst thing would be that you get some oil shooting up to the air box but it drains out of a tube. The air filter might get a mist of oil too.

If you want to drain some, loosen the drain plug but leave it in. Don't drain too much at a time...maybe an ounce. Let it sit and check in 20 minutes. You'll go crazy trying to fill it back up to where you want if you go too low. Oil just added also takes hours to run over the clutch and settle to an accurate level for checking.

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/1/2017 @ 6:26 PM *

Do nothing. The mobile tech nailed the exact amount if measured as per owner's manual = 4.4. Whatever was left on the mobile drain time, not overnight drip-drip-drip done dripping time; is that amount left or showing in the window.

Add the residual, the 4.4, the bike being COLD (as per Rook) so the oil up top is now at the bottom (done dropping), the bike on both wheels and upright, you straddling the bike, the old lady reading the line:

1. Level above the [top] line but the [air] bubble in the window = Do nothing.
2. Level at the above level mark = Do nothing.
3. Level in middle of upper and lower marks = Ideal level.
4. Level on lower line = Monitor closely.
5. Level not read in window = Loss of power [cc pressure] as a closed loop bubble pusher [under the pistons] is the highest place to go, right?

Neutralized oil level pressure:
a. dry ram at high rpm use.
b. oil level found its level under high rpm is an oily ram chamber.
c. less oil level and the bubble push is lost in the formula.

= ASSFACTOR.

Ass me how I know?

Morning is here and the wife was the sitter and me the looker. It appears all is well since as you can see there is a bubble at the top and basically oil to upper mark. So it came down overnight albeit not that much. For what it is worth, when the bike is on the side stand the oil can just barely be seen at the bottom on the sight glass.

I also spotted 3 hoses on the left side/bottom and after reading other posts I guess one is a blow by line from the air filter. All were open ended/none had caps on them but all 3 were dry so I guess that is a good sign.

Thanks all...Bob Z.

http://www.zx14ninjaforum.com/userfiles/BobZ/IMG_1012.JPG[/img]

* Last updated by: BobZ on 4/2/2017 @ 10:03 AM *

told ya. Check COLD always in the same spot on the floor for accurate read. Hot oil is bigger than cold oil. All oil drains to the pan only after many hours.

you know,if you're in between those marks with the bike vertical,you're fine.if you're above that top mark and very little sightglass air is showing,if it were me,i'd drain a small amount and check until it was inbetween.that's just me though.i noticed if it's over the top line,the engine feels restricted somehow.very slightly.maybe just my imagination.but it did.when i lowered it,it seemed to feel more strong.i wouldn't ride it at the bottom line.

changing the oil,refilling with recommended amount,then rechecking honestly is a waste.unnecessary.but it's a habit that doesn't harm anything.i still do it sometimes.idk why.it's going to be correct as per the manual.it has to be.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 4/2/2017 @ 12:27 PM *

Technically it appears to be correct since it is not above the line so I would think it should be ok (?): anyone know about how much oil there is between the top and bottom? Let's say it was 1/2 quart so from the middle to the top, or bottom, it would be 8 ounces, which should not be a big deal. Besides, there is nothing dripping out of the hoses on left/bottom of the bike nor was there when I came back from a ride so that also means it is ok, right?