Changing The Oil - May Not Have Purchased Enough

[slo-ride]

I know, I know, I know...the oil topic has been beaten to death in this forum but I could not find an answer to my question. Basically, I bought one gallon of Yamma Lube 10W-40. After filling and warming the engine up then turning it off, the site glass shows the oil just below the half-way point between the max and min levels. I used all my oil. Questions:

1. My level is between the dots but do I need to add just a bit more to get above the half way point?
2. I have a quart of Havoline 10W-40 with an API Service of SJ, SH. Standard oil with no additives. Can I use this oil if the answer to Question 1 is "yes"?

Thanks!

 

[rushes]

I'd say between the dot's is OK.

You might pick up a quart of the Yamylube this week to bring it up a bit to ease your mind.

That's jus MO.. I'm sure others will disagree...

 

[Silent]

the site glass shows the oil just below the half-way point between the max and min levels.

Exactly where it should be. Don't mix your oils.

 

[slo-ride]

the site glass shows the oil just below the half-way point between the max and min levels.

Exactly where it should be. Don't mix your oils.

The reason I worried with it in the first place is that the manual states the oil capacity to be 4.8 quarts. I used exactly one gallon (4 quarts) which put it between the dots. I just thought I was missing something.

 

[wheatonFJR]

the site glass shows the oil just below the half-way point between the max and min levels.

Exactly where it should be. Don't mix your oils.

The reason I worried with it in the first place is that the manual states the oil capacity to be 4.8 quarts. I used exactly one gallon (4 quarts) which put it between the dots. I just thought I was missing something.

Did you change your filter at the same time? If not, you may be okay...level sounds okay to me.

However, this oil quantity thing is all in the FAQ section of the board...look there for confirmation.

From the FAQ...

Capacities:

Engine Oil: 5.18 Qt total, 4.02 Qt without cartridge, 4.23 Qt with cartridge change

 

[Bull]

Hi SloRide

I just did the same thing yesterday - you need just a tad more than the amount supplied in the 1 gall jug. It won't hurt your ride if you do a little top up after buying a wee bit more from your Yammie shop soon.

I tend to agree with Silent that you shouldn't mix your oils. I have no proof for why - just an intuitive thing with me.

cheers - Bull

 

[cougar8000]

If it is between both marks, you are golden. Do not forget that the amount of oil that manufacture tells if is for a totally dry engine. You never drain everything. There are too many nooks and cranny's to get ALL of the oil out.

Reason you do not want to mix motorcycle oil and car oil is for the amount of additives that is in the car oil. Gogle it and you will know what I mean.

 

[DaveFJR]

My opinion on oil - It's not hard to find motorcycle oil these days so you may not need to make a special trip to a motorcycle shop. For example, Advance Auto and Pep Boys sell motorcycle oil in 10w40 & 20w50 (Valvoline & Castrol). I would not use car or truck oil in my motorcycle unless I had to in an emergency.

 

[FJRay]

"I would not use car or truck oil in my motorcycle unless I had to in an emergency"

Don't tell my bike that. It has had nothing but Delo 400 truck oil in it since day one.

 

[user 213]

The bike takes 4 liters of oil when the filter is changed. 4.25 quarts. No real harm with 4 quarts, but you may have the low oil light come on when you ride some twisties. BTDT. And it's a low level light, not a low pressure light, so don't freak out.

If you have some car oil that doesn't list it as "energy conserving" you could add some of that. The energy conserving rated oils have friction modifiers that can sometimes be unfriendly to your clutch plates, though in the small amount you would put in, probably won't have an impact.

 

[doctorJ]

"I would not use car or truck oil in my motorcycle unless I had to in an emergency"
Don't tell my bike that. It has had nothing but Delo 400 truck oil in it since day one.

Yep, last I looked my Rotella T syn. is a diesel oil. Maybe my engine will last as long as a diesel then .

doctorj

 

[spalkin]

I had the very same situation and just topped of with the same weight of Valvoline. I'll just make sure I have enough Yamalube next time.

 

[Knifemaker]

...I would not use car or truck oil in my motorcycle unless I had to in an emergency.

I been using Rottella T also... this is a bit dated but an intresting read:

https://www.xs11.com/stories/mcnoil94.htm

You do have to watch what additives an oil has, the "energy conserving" oils are a no no in wet clutch applications. But the majority of automotive oils sold today are not harmfull to motorcycles.

KM