Hmmm how bad would it be if.........
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 237
Likes: 3
From: Kissimmee, FL
Hmmm how bad would it be if.........
What if I may have rode the bike with little oil, I have been neglecting checking it. Maybe rode three weeks with the oil level like that. What could have I damaged????
I know I am retarded, I should check these things more often.
I know I am retarded, I should check these things more often.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 7
From: Southwest Florida
But if you didn't break anything, if nothing broke through the side of the case or jug, if it isn't rattling like an old hay wagon.....
Change the oil and filter, put some decent oil in it and ride it. Change the oil while it's hot........ Both times
Then change the oil and filter again after a few miles (50? 100?? 200?? your call)
and fill it with really, really good oil...... Why? Because you may have sludged the oil a little bit by running it low. Running the engine with low oil is going to over-heat what little oil is in there. Over-heated oil sludges. Not good.
If that works, good on you. Lesson learned.
I got a dipstick that lights up and tells me how much oil I have (right now, it's over-full
) and what temperature it is when I push the little button on it.Got tired of burning my fingers. Plus, it's a toy. And we all know about boys and their toys...... We like 'em, so it gets you into the habit of checking your oil fill level.
You're probably okay, but do what I said. It's easy for me to spend your money, but it's what I'd do if I were in your shoes.
after I hit myself in the head with something heavy
Last edited by Grendel4; Oct 20, 2014 at 04:13 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
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It depends on how little oil, how long you rode, how hard you rode it and how hot it was outside...
In any case, unless you broke the engine down to inspect everything you probably won't know.
I'd change the oil now, run her for about a few hundred miles then change it again and inspect the oil - if it comes out clean, then you are probably okay.
In any case, unless you broke the engine down to inspect everything you probably won't know.
I'd change the oil now, run her for about a few hundred miles then change it again and inspect the oil - if it comes out clean, then you are probably okay.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,806
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From: New Bern NC
It would be impossible for anyone here to answer that question over the internet based on your post. But just wait a few minutes and a whole slew of guys that don't know the answer will tell you everything you need to know.
Especially the ones who have their bikes serviced by the dealer and couldn't find the dipstick or tell you which side the valve stem is on.
If the thread stays alive long enough there will be some good info from a few here that are very knowledgeable but the rest are going to be funny so I'll hang out and watch.
Especially the ones who have their bikes serviced by the dealer and couldn't find the dipstick or tell you which side the valve stem is on.
If the thread stays alive long enough there will be some good info from a few here that are very knowledgeable but the rest are going to be funny so I'll hang out and watch.
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Post Falls, ID
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 237
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From: Kissimmee, FL
Well I checked it cold, and saw that there was only a little oil on the dip stick, so I immediately picked up some oil and filled it where she needs to be. The oil pressure light was flickering a bit, that's when I said "yea I should check the oil. I got the bike used from the dealer about a month ago I assumed there was oil in there. Guess not, unless I have a leak somewhere or burning off oil somewhere.
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Post Falls, ID
Opinions on oil brands go back as far as time began. There is no right answer, just get 20-50 synthetic. Besides engine oil, I would change primary and transmission too.