Two quick questions

[silverbandit96]

I couldn't seem to find any info in the service manual, but whenevery ou check the engine oil, should you check it when the bike is level or on the kickstand, and running or off?
Also, I'm havign trouble getting the carbs off the bike to clean up.  If I dissconnect teh carbs from between the spacers and teh head instead of loosening the hoseclamps around the carbs, will they re-seal?  Thanks.

[mike]

The bike needs to be resting for about 5 minutes if you've been riding it.
Check the oil with both tires on the ground, level ground.  If you fill to full on the centerstand, it's a little too full...

The carbs are a pain, but if you use some wd40 and work'em loose they'll come.  I've never tried it the other way.

[rider123]

The oil should be warm and rested for 5 minutes to let the oil drain from the internals to the oil pan. If you do check it cold, don't fill it up to the "F" level. Leave some space as the oil warms up it expands and it will be overfull if you fill it when cold, fill it to about %75 if you must check it cold.

[PaulVS]

If you fill to full on the centerstand, it's a little too full...

How do you figure the centerstand effects oil level?

[rider123]

I think he means paul that the level will show artificially low so when you fill it up to the "F" mark it will then be overfilled.

[PaulVS]

But the bike being on the centerstand has nothing to do with the oil level... except that it may 'slant' the oil reading view from left-to-right due to the angle change of the rear wheel relative to the front wheel

But it really should be insignificant on the the overall height reading.

Unless I'm missing something?

[Red01]

The book says to check it level, both tires touching.
The sight glass is at about the rearmost point of the engine, so if it is on the centerstand, the back of the engine will be higher than if it was not on the stand. This makes the oil level read lower than it should. If you do check/top-off the oil on the C-stand, don't go over 1/2 the glass.

[mike]

Hey PaulSV, the question was answered by the guys.

But, here's what I've experienced.  The centerstand picks the rear wheel up, and as you said tilts the bike forward which slightly affects the way the window reads.

I found this out when the bike was new in 01 by filling it to full on the centerstand, then when I rolled it off, it registered above full...  Probably not enough to matter, but my worry was getting blowback oil and having to clean it up.  So, from that day on I always checked with a warm engine, resting to let all the oil drain for an accurate reading, and both tires on level ground.

Like Red said, just don't fill it all the way to full on the stand and it'll be fine...

Mike :)

[txbanditrydr]

Same thing happened to me Mike....  filled to the F mark on the centerstand and after the oil came up to operating temp it read way too high.  It was a real PITA taking some out without removing the drain plug so now I just bring it to the high side of halfway when on the c-stand.

Too much and not enough are bad but as long as you can see some oil and some air ya outta be okay.  

[rider123]

Same thing happened to me Mike....  filled to the F mark on the centerstand and after the oil came up to operating temp it read way too high.  It was a real PITA taking some out without removing the drain plug so now I just bring it to the high side of halfway when on the c-stand.

Too much and not enough are bad but as long as you can see some oil and some air ya outta be okay.  

True if you're really in doubt just fill it just over half full, cold or hot, centrestand or flat tires you'll alsways be good.