Ideal Oil Level After Oil Change

[HYPERR]

According to the owner's manual, it states oil capacity is 3.7 Liter. A youtube video that was posted on one of the oil change thread states to put in about 3 Quarts which is a shade under 3 Liters. I believe to get the oil to the max line, it takes about 3.5 Liters.

So my question is IYO what is the ideal oil level after an oil change? At the Lower Line? Halfway? At the Max Line?

Also I just put in 3.7 Liters and it is slightly above the Max line. I'm going to guess it is 0.2 Liters overfilled. Should I drain out the excess oil or is it not significant to cause any concern?

[johnchypermotard]

with bike sitting level on both tires (off rear / front stands) and centered (not leaning on side stand), oil should be halfway between upper and lower fill marks on case when viewed through sight glass.

the oil level in this photo is a little high, but still ok.

[dragoontwo]

did you run the bike after changing it? I can't speak for Ducs, but on my KLR it seems high till you run the bike, then let it sit for a bit.

[AXE]

I like to run mine about 3/4 of the way up the glass. I would fill it until it hits the half way mark. Then run it for a minute or two, let the oil settle, refill to the desired level, run again, check again, and you are gonna be close.

If you overfill, I recommend that you use a large syringe with a 1/8" tubing to suck out some of the oil. Make sure the tube is long enough to reach the oil and still be able to hold onto with your hand, so you don't have to go fishing. I did it on the Duc and a few off road rigs and it works well.

Out!

[v12gte]

they key thing is to run the bike for a minute after you put in the 3 litres. This means that the oild filter fills up after the engine fires. Some people fill the oil filter before screwing it in, but I just fill the case, turn it on, let it settle, and then fill to halfway mark (between the lines). I think it was 3.5 total on the last oil change.
My garage floor is not flat, but the bike is level when I put the rear wheel on the pitbull stand.

[HYPERR]

Thanks guys. I think 3.5 Liter will bring the oil to the Max. Level. I put in 3.7 Liter as that was what it said in the manual but it overfilled it a little. 0.2 Liter overfill should be ok, no? Or should I drain it?

Is the general consensus here to fill it halfway to 3/4 or so? This seems to depend on the bike. Some bikes like it at the max level(small thumpers) and some bikes(for example the Oilhead BMWs) don't like it at the max as it tends to burn it until it settles down to the halfway point.

[johnchypermotard]

Originally Posted by HYPERR

Thanks guys. I think 3.5 Liter will bring the oil to the Max. Level. I put in 3.7 Liter as that was what it said in the manual but it overfilled it a little. 0.2 Liter overfill should be ok, no? Or should I drain it?

Is the general consensus here to fill it halfway to 3/4 or so? This seems to depend on the bike. Some bikes like it at the max level(small thumpers) and some bikes(for example the Oilhead BMWs) don't like it at the max as it tends to burn it until it settles down to the halfway point.

drain the excess oil ... if you don't, the excess oil can cause excessive case pressure at high RPM, which can blow seals (and i am NOT talking about the ones that live in the ocean, so no animal rights emails please )

axe's earlier mention of using a syringe and hose to get the excess oil out is spot on.

[HYPERR]

Originally Posted by johnchypermotard

drain the excess oil ... if you don't, the excess oil can cause excessive case pressure at high RPM, which can blow seals (and i am NOT talking about the ones that live in the ocean, so no animal rights emails please )

axe's earlier mention of using a syringe and hose to get the excess oil out is spot on.

OK thanks I drained it. I didn't have a syringe so I took off the oil filter and dumped what was in it. Now the oil level is at 3/4.

[NExE]

Originally Posted by AXE

I like to run mine about 3/4 of the way up the glass. I would fill it until it hits the half way mark. Then run it for a minute or two, let the oil settle, refill to the desired level, run again, check again, and you are gonna be close.

If you overfill, I recommend that you use a large syringe with a 1/8" tubing to suck out some of the oil. Make sure the tube is long enough to reach the oil and still be able to hold onto with your hand, so you don't have to go fishing. I did it on the Duc and a few off road rigs and it works well.

Out!

Overfilled and hate taking off the filter, but it was the only way I knew... until now. Oil level perfect and no mess!

.

[CAlexio]

are we supposed to change oil filter after every oil change? I change oil every 2500miles.