No oil
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 886
Likes: 6
No oil
Well almost no oil, I was riding back roads when I got stuck in traffic. The bike got hot without any movement which wasn't the big issue. Once I got moving the motor cooled down, but then I started getting a lot of noise from the engine, like a million ball bearings rattling around inside the engine. The only thing I could think of was that I had burned the oil while in traffic or the dealership had not filled the oil completely when they serviced it last. I ended up riding about 50 miles like that to get to my destination, no place to stop before that. This morning I checked the oil and there was only 20 oz of oil left in the bike. I filled it with new oil and so far no issues. Is there anything else I should do/check?
Thanks for any input.
Thanks for any input.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 8
From: Aurora, IL
My pressure always drops when it gets really hot outside. I usually have to bump up the idle.
Do you have a gauge? They are pretty inexpensive. I have this one. http://www.jerzeecustoms.com/HDOilTrimKitTC.htm
Do you have a gauge? They are pretty inexpensive. I have this one. http://www.jerzeecustoms.com/HDOilTrimKitTC.htm
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,621
From: along the shore of Mishigami
And that's why a lot of people here enc ourage others to change their own fluids. At least the owner knows how much of what went where its supposed to. Good luck in the future.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 886
Likes: 6
agreed, I am not sure how it ended up with only 20 oz of oil left in it, the only thing I can think of is that the dealership did not fill it up when they put the compression release valves in it. I took it for a ride yesterday and although I don't have a compression tester, it seems to be fine, no delay in response, pulls like it used to from a stop and while at speed. no smoke from exhaust. I usually do all my own service but I could not do drill the compression releases myself. When I drained the oil I didn't notice any metal on the plug, and it seemed to run fine. I have a 100 mile ride back home today so will see how it rides. It had new rings installed when they did the releases and it only has 2K miles on it since then so hoping that all continues to go well.
thanks for all the import.
thanks for all the import.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 681
Likes: 1
From: Grand Rapids, mi.
Gee no oil but you rode another 50 miles. That was dumb. Nobody to blame but you, check oil from time to time.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Dana Point
agreed, I am not sure how it ended up with only 20 oz of oil left in it, the only thing I can think of is that the dealership did not fill it up when they put the compression release valves in it. I took it for a ride yesterday and although I don't have a compression tester, it seems to be fine, no delay in response, pulls like it used to from a stop and while at speed. no smoke from exhaust. I usually do all my own service but I could not do drill the compression releases myself. When I drained the oil I didn't notice any metal on the plug, and it seemed to run fine. I have a 100 mile ride back home today so will see how it rides. It had new rings installed when they did the releases and it only has 2K miles on it since then so hoping that all continues to go well.
thanks for all the import.
thanks for all the import.
Sounds like everything is ok, that's good to hear.
Could the compression release have contributed? Check the oil after your next ride and chart any reductions.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 460
Likes: 1
From: Western KY
you are very lucky if there's no damage.
You really shouldn't ride 50 miles when you're at an 80% oil deficiency, but you really don't need us to tell you that.
Just as a suggestion, if you ever find yourself in that postition again, even standard old 10w-40 or anything like that would be better than nothing. Out on the back roads, you might stop and ask someone to sell you a couple quarts till you can get home and drain it out.
But if I had a cell phone, I would call and try to find a way to walmart for some 20w-50 of a good grade.
If i were you, as a precaution, I wouldn't just add oil right now, I would drain the engine and look for metallic sparkly stuff. If you see any, I would really try to get most of it out, then change the filter and put in new oil.
That oil has been pretty hot anyway according to you....and 20oz of leftover oil ain't worth saving.
If you don't already have one, you might get a magnetic drain plug as well.
Not tryin to scare you or anything, but it's way less expensive than rebuilding that engine.
And, you'll feel a little better sleepin at night knowing you did it.
just my 2 cents worth...
You really shouldn't ride 50 miles when you're at an 80% oil deficiency, but you really don't need us to tell you that.
Just as a suggestion, if you ever find yourself in that postition again, even standard old 10w-40 or anything like that would be better than nothing. Out on the back roads, you might stop and ask someone to sell you a couple quarts till you can get home and drain it out.
But if I had a cell phone, I would call and try to find a way to walmart for some 20w-50 of a good grade.
If i were you, as a precaution, I wouldn't just add oil right now, I would drain the engine and look for metallic sparkly stuff. If you see any, I would really try to get most of it out, then change the filter and put in new oil.
That oil has been pretty hot anyway according to you....and 20oz of leftover oil ain't worth saving.
If you don't already have one, you might get a magnetic drain plug as well.
Not tryin to scare you or anything, but it's way less expensive than rebuilding that engine.
And, you'll feel a little better sleepin at night knowing you did it.
just my 2 cents worth...