ST1300 Oil Level

FlexyRacer

FlexyRacer

Be Seeing You
Joined
Dec 26, 2008
Messages
105
Location
Central California Foothills
Bike
2007 ST1300
Though I searched the site, I cannot find reference to the oil level. I've only changed the oil twice since I getting the '06. The last time, I just put in the 4.1 quarts per the manual. This keeps the oil level halfway between the low and full mark. The first time, I added more than the 4.1 quarts to bring it to the full mark. I usually prefer keeping it at the full mark. Aids in cooling and gives a safety margin.

What's the trend here on the forum? Where do you keep the oil level on your ST1300?
 
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General consensus seems to be anywhere within the hash marks is fine. Here are some more threads if you wish to read them: Oil level linky

BTW... I keep mine in the middle generally.
 
After you've added your 4 and a bit quarts, let it sit, maybe overnight. I bet the level will be right at the full mark in the morning. If you use the Mobil One M-110 filter, you'll have to add two bits because the filter is a touch longer requiring some more volume.

Don't get worried about the .1 quart. Are you going to buy an entire extra quart just to get that .1? What is .1 really; 1.6 ounces... that's about a shot glass full. Save your shot glass for something besides oil and just put in 4 quarts.

Too much is as bad as too little. I'm sure quite a few have added four quarts, noticed that the level was still low, and added enough to bring it up to the mark.... only to find that the window is completely covered later on. Ahhh... don't ask how I know.

John
 
I always keep my 03 at the upper sight glass line. This has worked for over 70,000 miles on the bike.
 
I go with the 4 from the jug and a squeak from a quart. I'm usually doing something else while changing the oil and drain it for awhile. That gets me to the top line after sitting and it drains down fully. I wouldn't sweat it, in between the lines is ok.
 
Still just dumping the gallon of Rotella syn in for 5k miles ... then repeat!
I don't worry about the extra .1 as I just want it between the lines and it always is.

BTW; some where there was a proper way to check and I believe it was as follows;
1)run for 5 mins at idle or till 2 bars on temp gauge
2) let sit for 3 mins and while on centerstand (on level ground) check level.

(the gallon always puts it between the marks EXCEPT the one time there was no drain plug in) :(
 
Anything below the lower line is insufficient and anything above the upper line is too much. The margin is the area between the lines, and what's between the two isn't going to make a whole hill of beans' worth of difference with anything the oil is there to do.

--Mark
 
Ok. Overnight, my oil level in right in the middle. The factory recommended oil check procedure does not work for me. Letting it sit 5 minutes does not allow full drainage into the sight gauge. I use HONDA 10/40 NON MOLY AND HONDA FILTERS until the warranty is up. Thank you for the opinions.
Mark-
 
I drain it, dump in a gallon jug, and ride, period. 0.1 qt (3.2 ounces = partial Dixie cup) either way will make no detectable difference when you think of the total amount. Besides, the stupid sight glass is not real reliable anyway, the bike has got to be on a dead level surface every time you check the oil.
 
I pour in 4 qts and 3 oz and the level is close to the top mark. It will average out close to the top line over time. I learned not to chase the level up to the top line at the time of oil change. I did once, and the next morning was way over the line. If I don't have the 3 oz in 10-40 Castrol Syntech, my preferred oil the last 40,000 miles or so, I'll use 3 oz of whatever 10-30, 10-40 or 20-50 I have handy. I can hear the hand-wringing already.
 
I am with the 1 gallon of new oil, check for leaks and go ride. I checked the level the first 2 times and it was between the marks. I also drain the morning after I ride. I do not warm the engine up. It was warm when I stopped. I pull the drain plug and go inside and watch the coffee brew. 30 minutes later, I remove the filter, install new filter and DRAIN plug, add the gallon, replace fill plug, button up the access cover, start engine and check for leaks. The oil capacity does not change. If 1 gallon fills it today, it will fill it tomorrow. I try to change every 3 - 4K miles, unless on a trip. Then she gets changed when I get home. So far so good. :)

Now to go out and ride. These 2 days of constant rain may have washed some of the sand and salt from our highways. Lets see - Highs in the upper 30's. Call me a wimp, but I will wait for a little warmer weather.

Kevin
 
OK, I'm used to oil window sillyness, because I own a '96 r1100r, which involves the "oil dance" (ride till warmed up, park on side stand for 10 minutes to let the oil drain out of the coolers, then park on center stand for 5 minutes, then check oil) but I haven't seen this before.

I did my first oil change on my (new to me) 04 ST13. I measured out 3.5 ltrs and then ran the engine for a couple of minutes to fill the oil filter, then let is sit for 5 minutes and then topped it up until I was on the upper level line.

Today, I took her out for 100 miles or so, then parked in the same spot and checked the oil about 15 minutes later. It was overfilled. But there was still a bubble of air visible at the top.

I came here and searched up some topics on overfilling. Then, I went out for a couple of hours. When I came back, I decided to take one more look at the oil level (the bike has not moved) and it has come DOWN to just above the upper level mark.

Since the bike is not sitting in a puddle of oil, did the oil volume actually decrease that much now that the bike is cooled down???
 
Oil will contract volume a bit when cool, and also may be less inclined to 'climb up' the sight glass when cool as it get thicker when at room temperature. Other than that, nothing to worry about.
 
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