oil level

[SlowOldGuy]

All that rigmarole about going for rides and such is nonsense.

All I was trying to do was explain my technique for not overfilling the oil level.  If you don't like it then don't do it.

I won't make the mistake of sharing anything else.

DavidR.

[fj11.5]

whatever works for checking the level is fine by me,, i used to have a 1980 gsx 750 ,, had a majic sight  window  oil  wouldnt show in the glass no matter how much it had in it ,i even changed clutch covers , made  no difference ,, had to check the level with a thin strip of stainless wire , just did an oil change ,warmed her up and filled as per  the manual , marked it on the wire and went  off that , , then after havin her 7 years one day the oil showed  in the window , , that bike  had the weirdest habits

[The General]

I didn't mean to start a "OIL WAR" , Just new to this type of bike, and didn't see the marks on the sight glass, Guess my eyes are not what they use to be, I always appreciate all comments and advise anyone shares, thanks to all for suggestion on doing the oil service

Luv`n ya more everyday Shawn.  I had a similar prob about a month ago with FJ1. Wasn`t till I put on my glasses and used a magnifying glass before I found the problem....I had prettied up the beast for the Rally tha week before and the oil glass was the only spot I had left on some masking tape...Oil seemed a nice shiney black colour but no bubble on tha sidestand...according ta Google it`s called tha rattlecanaholic effect!

[rktmanfj]

All that rigmarole about going for rides and such is nonsense.

All I was trying to do was explain my technique for not overfilling the oil level.  If you don't like it then don't do it.

I won't make the mistake of sharing anything else.

DavidR.

Eh, come on David.

I still want petem explain this 'emulsification' that occurs...     

[SlowOldGuy]

You Know, Randy, this thread is a good example of what I really hate about this forum.

I try to post what is potentially useful information (notice I said potentially).  Stuff that I've learned over the years that might help someone who is new to the FJ.

So I post.  I happen to throw out an (admitably questionable) assumption and it is immediately refuted.  Okay, my bad, I was just guessing anyway.  That obscure point had nothing to do with the information I was trying to relate; however, it did provide an opportunity for someone to grab onto and let everyone know how smart they are.  So now, let's run this trivial informational piece of crap into the ground which adds no value to the original topic but let's us continue to spout smart stuff.

Then someone wants to be funny.  It was never an oil thread, but please feel free to chime in with absolutely NOTHING useful and run the thread off-topic.

Yeah, but everyone likes to laugh.  In the meantime, useful information gets totally obscured by the noise from people that obviously have nothing better to do.  I don't really need to be here.  I think I've contributed far more than I've taken from this forum.  I've got better things to do with my time.

Thank you Dan for actually reading and COMPREHENDING the post and getting some value out of it.

There, I'm sure this is going to make me some new friends but I'm getting very tired of sorting through the chaff.

DavidR.

[ribbert]

David, I offer two types of advice here, my opinion and what I know to be fact. My opinion is just that but I have on many occasions had the latter summarily dismissed in favour of advice from someone else who has no idea what they are talking about. Big deal, I offered, it wasn't taken, I tried. move on.

Unlike you, I have been on the receiving end of some particularly nasty and unwarranted sarcasm when trying to help.



"it did provide an opportunity for someone to grab onto and let everyone know how smart they are" was merely an ill advised kneejerk response to your taunt of "talk to me when you've done over 60 oil changes"

The forum is more than just an exchange of technical information and hijacked threads are a bit of fun and still interesting and when they cease to be so will die a natural death. You have just done it yourself, turning an oil level post into what you hate about the forum post.

David, you are one of a core of regular contributors from long before I was here and I would be first in line to acknowledge your contribution.

Lighten up a bit.

You will always be my hero ( I think "All hail DavidR" was the phrase I used) for the discovering and sharing the single biggest improvement I have made to my bike, the engine mount fix.
Not something that even a smart bloke like me would likely have found by himself.

Noel

[Pat Conlon]

Noel, FYI, David is also the originator of the stainless steel cap screw and o ring kit for our carbs.

RPM now sells the kit, but David first put them together. Before RPM Randy joined our forum, David's efforts with these kits singlehandedly kept dozens of FJ's on the road. Dozens.

David will always be affectionately known as our FJ carb guru. His articles (see the Files) on carb cleaning and diagnostics removed the fear many of us had on working on our carbs. The voodoo mechanics of CV carbs is easily understood when he explains it....He has been indispensable to us.

David is a engineer by profession, and thus meticulous (just look at his bikes) so he does not like posts with a high 'signal to noise ratio'. He suffers no fools.

[baldy3853]

You will always be my hero ( I think "All hail DavidR" was the phrase I used) for the discovering and sharing the single biggest improvement I have made to my bike, the engine mount fix.


Noel
I like the way you have answered this post I have a lot of time for David he was and is someone who has contributed heaps to this and the previous Yahoo forum but to say that David was the discoverer of the engine mount fix is incorrect, that is something I will lay claim to as it was something I posted on the old forum 8yrs ago, David took it to the next level and was the one who developed the bolt and spacer means of getting it out.

Sorry for taking this away from the main topic, I also experimented with using Nolethene as replacement bushes for the one that go in the engine mounts

Baldy

[Alf]

Maybe my english is not very good, so I don´t understand the discussion: both of you, Noel and DavidR, have added your experience and feelings, and your opinions are very valuable. So where is it the problem?

DavidR and me have a pending issue with 16 & 17 rims. One day we will ride side to side (or face to face)... maybe in OK Corral? 

From my experience the fact is that following the Yamaha manual about oil level measurement you overfill the crankcase and the excess go directly to the air filter.

So I watch the oil level with cool engine, tooped to the window mark. And better with the centerstand off and me with both feet in the ground, and a friend watching the level. In my summer travels, (i.e. with a friend of mine last year with another FJ and covering 500 to 700 km each day for 12 days), we didin´t added a drop of oil

So you can start to shot me if you like

[flips]

This is what I love about this forum!.The ultimate digital campfire.A question is asked....answers are given from differing aspects/opininions/backgrounds/expertise etc and solutions are provided.I try to offer answers if I feel I have sufficient knowledge that can be of help,often to find that I am just plain wrong or have come to the wrong conclusions based on the limited knowledge of my own experience.I appreciate all opininons and advice given on this site by everyone even if it contradicts my own or I disagree.It gives me perspective and helps me to learn so thanks everyone!  .At the end of the day we will all keep our own council but I always appreciate diverse input.

Cheers 

Jeff P   

[baldy3853]

Bravo Jeff well said 
Baldy

[ribbert]

All hail DavidR AND Baldy


My final word on the subject.

Noel

[Arnie]

The 'problem', as I see it, is not the range of information or even opinions provided here.  Rather, it is the number of folks with little of no knowledge who feel that they must "contribute" to the discussion.
This can take a number of forms.  Some refute facts with no theory or experience, some try and add humor (or humour) to a serious technical discussion, and some just try and show off how witty they can be.
The problem that then develops is that with 3,000 members some don't feel they can contribute or they'll be attacked, and others feel that they have to put their 2 cents in on everything.
All of this makes for a time commitment to read the list each day that is excessive for many.
I doubt many will be upset at a serious discussion with differing opinions. 
I expect most will be less than amused when it becomes needless pedantic nit-picking.
I don't read all the topics, and I log in most every day and it does take a fair amount of time (and I'm retired so have more free time than most)
Still, I read a topic and generally ask myself if I have anything of value to add to the discussion.  If not, I will rarely post a comment.  And, if the information has already been posted, there's no need to be a cheer squad.  I also try to stay out of arguments, I state my point and leave it there.
I would expect that one of the most difficult decisions a newby with limited technical knowledge has is deciding which of the posters actually knows what they are talking about.

Arnie

 

[Thmsdoyle]

Well stated Arnie

[Zwartie]

Fellas,

I've been watching this thread as a bystander and when I first read Noel's post I thought it was pretty benign and in no way offensive. That's the beauty of the written word, it is up to the reader to determine what the author's intent and tone was. I think the same words could have been exchanged in person and everything would have been fine. When David dropped an F-bomb in the response it was easy to see he was pissed. From there we got to, well, where we are now. In the past I have been the pisser-offer and the pissed-offie in email exchanges. Again, it's usually been a misunderstanding of the intended tone. I respect both points of view on this topic. In my 30 years of riding I've never put the bike back on the side stand after running it for a few minutes and then back on the centre (or center) stand to recheck the level. I've never had a fellow motorcyclist or mechanic ever tell me to do it that way either. I've been a CSC certified motorcycle riding instructor for 12 years and we always tell new riders to check the oil level with the bike on the centre stand or in the upright position. We also tell them to check the owner's manual. That being said, out of sheer curiosity I will actually try David's method the next time I check the level to see if it makes a difference. Of course my problem is that I have no centre stand on this FJ because the FZR swing-arm and linkage won't allow it. It also doesn't allow me to install the new-to-me stock mufflers either, but that's another thread (See Alaska 2013). No worries, I have a rear swing-arm stand. To keep my post in perspective, just remember that I'm the nut job who uses a plastic bottle with a hole in the side for the crankcase breather so don't listen to me!

David & Noel, I respect both your opinions and your contributions to this forum and hope we can get through this rough spot.

Zwartie