Oil Level On Street Twin

mountainstumble · Sep 6, 2019

I realise that this is probably a schoolboy question, but been trying to check the oil level on my 2016 street twin.

Looking at the sight glass:

On side stand - sight glass is empty
On center stand - sight glass is full
Stood perfectly vertical (with missus sat on it to keep it upright) - sightglass is full

Took it back to the dealer who did the last service and the guy tilted the bike until he could see the top of the oil level in the window and said it's fine as you can see it - I reckon the bike was about 3 or 4 degrees off upright to get it in the right part of the window. He said theres not much oil involved between being at the top of the window and the marker.

I'll take his word for it as I'm not a mechanic but I'm wondering why Triumph display a min/max marker on the sight window (which is quite small compared to the full viewing window) if there's no need to abide by it?

Any advice on this appreciated as I've read too much oil is as bad as not enough and I really don't want to trash the engine.

RSReggie · Sep 6, 2019

Should be within the sight glass levels when bike is vertical on level ground . Check your handbook to double check !

SpeedTwin1200 · Sep 6, 2019

I've had similar from service managers who like to think they are mechanics but seem to know diddly-squat about oil.

The owners handbook says;

"...engine is at normal operating temperature....is upright (not on the side stand).....when correct, engine oil should be...midway between the upper and lower markings on the sight glas."

You are right that you can have too much oil and I suggest you get a oil extracting syringe or similar and reduce the level. You can drain it but if you can find a suitable length of hose to fit into the hole, it's much easier to suck it out.

Something like this...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oil-Suct...ringe-LSR32-/121351041488?hash=item1c4115f1d0

mountainstumble · Sep 6, 2019

Thanks for this. Good to get it sanity checked. Manual definitely says the bike should be vertical so I'll see to getting it sorted. You'd think this would be basic bread and butter stuff for a dealer but hey ho.

Thanks for the link.

brown mouse · Sep 7, 2019

mountainstumble said: ↑

You'd think this would be basic bread and butter stuff for a dealer
Click to expand...

Is this the local Triumph dealer? If so, it's the one I use and they've just gained a black mark from me.

mountainstumble · Sep 7, 2019

brown mouse said: ↑

Is this the local Triumph dealer? If so, it's the one I use and they've just gained a black mark from me.
Click to expand...

Afraid so. I think I am going to pop back and get it rechecked by someone else. I also can't see any air bubble in the front brake fluid reservoir (either vertical or on the side stand) and the front brakes rub when I push the bike out the garage so I'm nervous that this has been overfilled as well.