Yet another question about oil...

[Chris Parker]

Okay, maybe I may be hyper-sensitive about getting this right, but I need some advice about this:

Changed the oil myself over 1000 miles ago, filter at the same time (OEM filter and Honda Synthetic). I followed motorcycleinfo.calsci.com's instructions faithfully except the cranking the engine for 2 seconds part after draining the oil (just a little paranoid there, even though he says don't worry).

Anyways, checking the sight glass today after the bike has been sitting for about three hours after riding it out to lunch, and I see the oil is over the top level by about an 1/8". Thought that was odd as I put just 4 quarts, not the 4.1 the manual says. Could there have been that much oil left from the oil change (I let it drain about 20 minutes after running it for 3 minutes at the oil change, so I thought that would cover it...I was on a very slight inclined driveway as I do not have an absolute level place to do this). And then later tonight, I checked it in the garage after about 4 hours of driving it home and it was up just a little more. There was about 1/4" of clear glass showing through, the oil was not covering up the glass completely.

Long story, sorry, short question:

Should I worry or ride with no worries?

I am coming from an RT with a sight glass and I have learned to trust it waringly.

Thanks for any info.

Chris "and his pretty dirty 04 ST (Hey, no time to wash!)" Parker

[CruisingDog]

Doesn't oil expand when it's hot ?

[beastie]

I think I posted this before; but back in the '60s when I was a Honda mechanic, the bikes did not have oil filters (they had "slingers" that used centrifical force to accumulate the crud), we knew how much oil each model held. After pulling the drian plug and letting the bike sit while we adjusted the valves, chain, etc., we put the plug back in and poured in the specified amount of oil and never checked for a reading. We "knew" it was right.

Once though, I forgot to put the oil in a CB450 (that was in for the 500 mile check) and went out for the test ride. The 450 was the biggest, fastest bike Honda made then. I made it about 3 or 4 miles from the shop, and was running about 80 when it start to slow down dramatically. Of course as any good mechanic knows, my thought was, "Oh s**t". I pulled in the clutch, the engine seized up, and I coasted to a stop. Since the owner was coming to pick it up first thing in the morning, I had to spend all night re-building the engine. The scoring was so bad I had to over-bore it. Fortunately we had a large parts inventory including over-size pistons. The owner never knew what had happened, but the bike had more power than before and he could hardly believe how much better it ran after only a simple 500 mile check.

Anyway, on to the ST1300. The Honda oil level checking method, if followed to the letter as in the owner's manual, works very well. But if you follow the instructions at http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Consumables.html#Oil
you can't go wrong, IMHO. As for me, I drain the warm oil, change the filter, pour in 1 gallon of oil and do the check. .1 qt. is 3.2 oz., so if it is a little low add 3 oz. Again IMHO as an old Honda mechanic, it is better to be a little low than a little high, so if I have a reading between the lines, I am happy. Then I check after the bike has sat overnight. I make a mental note of the level and from then on the only time I check is after overnight. Although, since it doesn't leak, I usually don't check the oil at all.

My .02 worth

don auSTin :amflag:

[NormanPCN]

Doesn't oil expand when it's hot ?

It sure does. Basically all things (solid, liquid, gas) want to expand as heat rises. If expansion is not allowed then pressure rises with increasing heat.

[Chris Parker]

Thanks guys for the advice and for peace of mind. I will leave it alone. No worries!

By the way, the bike is clean as a whistle, finally after a couple of weeks of riding in the rain! Nothing better than a clean bike.

Chris