EEEEEK! No Oil! - Ducati.ms

GHEZZI · Jan 7th, 2009, 7:39 pm

Twice recently I've had to retrieve bikes off the side of the freeway that were blowing large clouds of smoke. Both owners had discovered low oil levels and topped up with a few litres while the bike was ON THE SIDE STAND.

The first was a ZZR 250, the second a CBR600RR. They both had pressurized the crank case enough to force copious amounts of oil up into the air box and consequently being sucked into the motor, blowing great blue clouds.

The little Kwaka with vertical cylinders and horizontal carbs was still a goer even before a clean out of the air box.

The Honda has vertical downdraft throttle boddies with the air box above, once the rider stopped, excess oil was able to trickle down and fill at least one cylinder, the end result when he next hit the starter, HYDRAULIC LOCK which can bend conrods and crankshafts etc.

Our beloved Hypers have a low front cylinder, and they can pump up oil during long wheelstands and start burning oil. Haven't heard of a bent duck from this dilemma but it might be worth keeping in mind. Ciao

sconly · Jan 7th, 2009, 9:32 pm

lol, what do you consider a long wheelie

GHEZZI · Jan 7th, 2009, 10:47 pm

Don't know, I suffer from premature ejection, can't keep it up past 3rd gear.

Maybe I need viagra and that nasal delivery therapy

AZ_Scott · Jan 7th, 2009, 10:51 pm

Good point, Ghezzi. Another thing to consider is that if you check your oil level while the bike is on a rear wheel stand, it will also give you a false reading.

The best way to check the level is with the bike resting on both tires, and as vertical as possible. It helps to have a helper holding the bike!

(Of course, a lift platform with front wheel clamp is ideal, if you're lucky enough to have one!)

ducduc · Jan 7th, 2009, 11:39 pm

From my experience many 03-06 cbr600rr's blow alot of smoke. All three of mine did and used a bunch of oil between changes. One I'd have to add a quart and a half every 3,000 miles!

GHEZZI · Jan 8th, 2009, 3:50 pm

By the time this dude got his bike apart the throttle bodies were full of oil, remembering also the bike had been loaded and transported, plus moved around his shed at various angles.