oil question, 2 quarts not enough?

[76Datsun280z]

We just changed the oil last night on my 99' XR650, and put the recommended oil in, just a tad over two quarts as it says to do when your replace the filter. For some odd reason, oil is not registering on the dip stick. My dad and I are assuming that since it's not doing this, it needs close to three quarts, but don't know why the manual is not stating this. Were just put in Castrol Act Evo motorcycle oil if you're wondering.

[adam574]

does the manual mention anything about checking the oil after letting the motor run for a couple minutes

[76Datsun280z]

Yep it does, it says to run the bike for 3-5 minutes (which we did) then check it and if the oil level is not up to the recommended mark, to then add more.

[loufish]

Somethings not right, I ride mine around the block, then make sure it's straight up(not on kickstand) and check it. I do this right away, before the oil can start to settle back into the case.

If you know for sure you have that much oil, ride it longer and double check...You DO NOT want to overfill the bike!

[76Datsun280z]

I guess I could take it around the block, but we did get it nice and all warmed up last night and did several times check the oil right after it was warmed up in it's up right postion.

[babbs]

I doubt your XR650 is the only fluke out there that takes 3 quarts instead of 2. I would be willing to bet you did something wrong. I sure wouldn't add any more than 2 quarts to a normal XR unless you were looking for an excuse to replace some seals.

I would drain it and start over.

[simon@vic]

please use L people. its a metirc bike!!

[adam574]

please use L people. its a metirc bike!!

americans can't handle the metric system, why do you think we gave up on it for?

i would do what the other guy said and start all over. something obviously isn't right. is it on the stick at all? maybe just a little bit on the bottom or nothing on the stick at all.

[76Datsun280z]

[QUOTis it on the stick at all? maybe just a little bit on the bottom or nothing on the stick at all.

There's just the tiniest tad of oil on the very bottom of the stick. You guys who own these bikes too, they just take 2 quarts right just to verify? My dad used to have an 84' Honda XL600 which as you know is the same motor and he thought that he remember is it taking close to three quarts around 2.6.

[Big Red Paul]

Manual says, Engine oil after draining and oil filter change:

1.6 litres (1.7 US qt, 1.4 Imp qt)

I always thoroughly drain all the oil from the bike, and add one litre of oil.

Run the bike for a few minutes, and then add the additional 0.6 of a litre.

With the 1.6 litres in the bike, it only just reads on the dip stick with the stick screwed in.

I then add oil until the reading is in the middle of the dip stick, which takes just under 2 litres of oil. First time I was very concerned having read reports of blown seals and oil pouring out, spoke to the local Honda 'people',

they were under the impression that as long as the oil is within the range indicated on the dip stick, then all is hunky dory.

Now all the former posts have me wondering again ?

[2XR650s]

Mine have always taken 1900 to 1950ml to reach the full mark on the dipstick. No problems with seals. When draining the oil I always run the kickstarter through its stroke with the kill button held five or six times, a lot more oil draines out. My first used 650, they topped off the oil when I bought it at the Honda dealer. When I drained the oil there was more than I ever thought would have fit. Way to much. I had it in two liter bottles and measured it three times with a metric measuring cup, with my girlfriend as a witness. It must have had the updated seals. I read another post where a guy said he drained close to that amount and people were telling him it was impossible for that much oil to even fit in the motor. But I have seen it myself.

[76Datsun280z]

I think what my dad and I are going to do is get another quart of oil tomarrow and fill it unit it gets up to recommended level on the dip stick. I'm hoping are local Honda/Kawasaki dealer has the same oil that we bought at a different motorcycle shop, other wise if they don't, I'll have to wait until this weekend to get it as the the dealer is a ways away.

[loufish]

So help me, the next guy that doesn't mention that it's a 650L...?

Of course the 99' was the hint...

[76Datsun280z]

We we bought another quart of oil and all in all it ended up taking 2.6 quarts as my dad remembered on his old bike, NOT the 2.0 quarts as it states in the manual which is an error.

[Ferdinand]

That still sounds like a bit too much to me??? Just running the bike and letting it idle never seems to give me a reading, even after I know the right amount was put in. Usually I have to take it for an easy ride around the yard even after it has idled for a few minutes and immediately pull the dipstick after shutoff. 650L

[babbs]

Let me get this straight......You think the manual and everyone on this site are wrong? You trust your dad's memory of a different bikes oil capacity more than a manual for the correct bike?

Drain all the oil, add 1 quart, start the bike, let it warm up, hold it straight up and check the dipstick without screwing it in, add oil to warm bike until dipstick reads full.......For a grand total of less than 2 quarts, some just put 2 in and call it close enough.

Why would you ask a question, and when everyone tells you the same answer, you think that everyone is wrong and the manual is wrong......and then you tell everyone that you are going to overfill your bike.

Go for it, and when you start asking how to replace seals, or what to do when oil is coming out of your airbox, you can tell everyone that they and the manual are wrong on that topic too.

I would guess that you messed something up, and the remainder of the people on this site......and your manual are correct......but that is just me.

?

[Fingers]

Babbs sez:

"Let me get this straight......You think the manual and everyone on this site are wrong?"

I'm glad you aren't the only one that came away with that impression.......

[goblin127]

I never had a problem with what the manual said. I put the 2.1 qts in and don't think anymore about it. What the book says is what is correct.

[76Datsun280z]

[/QULet me get this straight......You think the manual and everyone on this site are wrong? You trust your dad's memory of a different bikes oil capacity more than a manual for the correct bike?

Drain all the oil, add 1 quart, start the bike, let it warm up, hold it straight up and check the dipstick without screwing it in, add oil to warm bike until dipstick reads full.......For a grand total of less than 2 quarts, some just put 2 in and call it close enough.

Why would you ask a question, and when everyone tells you the same answer, you think that everyone is wrong and the manual is wrong......and then you tell everyone that you are going to overfill your bike.

Go for it, and when you start asking how to replace seals, or what to do when oil is coming out of your airbox, you can tell everyone that they and the manual are wrong on that topic too.

I would guess that you messed something up, and the remainder of the people on this site......and your manual are correct......but that is just me.

OTE]

I don't mean to start a riot here, but my dad used to own a xr600l which is basically the same bike as my 99' 650l which also has the same motor. We did follow the procedures in the manual as it says to. Add to the two quarts, run the bike for 3-5 minutes and then check it. When we did that, oil was barelly registering at the bottom of the dip stick, so we added the .6 more quarts of oil which my dad remembers his 600 taking and it then read as it was supposed to read in the recommended level. I'm not disagreeing with any of you guys, we just wanted to get the oil to the recommended level on the stick.

[Metalwkr]

Not to beat a dead horse here, my 96 L takes a tad over 2 quarts with filter change.