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How much is too much

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 4:16 pm
by tomjohnston
Just bought a '77 R100S. Runs perfectly.........However, after getting it home I found it had $ quarts of oil in its teeny crankcase. I don't know why it ran at all but....should I expect some problems, could something be damaged or just ride and be happy?

Re: How much is too much

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 4:23 pm
by John Falconer
At least here on my iPad you have the dollar sign where I presume you meant to put a quantity.

Re: How much is too much

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:16 pm
by mattcfish
John Falconer wrote:At least here on my iPad you have the dollar sign where I presume you meant to put a quantity.
No oil means $$$$?

Put oil in and check often. Have someone ride behind you and check for smoke.
Keep a record of how many miles you go before needing oil and how much oil.
Hopefully there's no bottom end damage...You'll hear loud knocking if the rod bearing are gone.
Make sure the oil pressure warning light is working properly.

Re: How much is too much

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:16 pm
by Kurt in S.A.
Well, the lower case of $ is 4. If there were 4 quarts, that's not as bad if there was 0.4 quarts!! An overfill is going to create issues with seals, possibly causing them to leak. I'd just drain, put in the right amount and run it. Oh, and park it on its own kitty litter...just in case! :lol:

Kurt in S.A.

Re: How much is too much

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:21 pm
by mattcfish
Kurt in S.A. wrote:Well, the lower case of $ is 4. If there were 4 quarts, that's not as bad if there was 0.4 quarts!! An overfill is going to create issues with seals, possibly causing them to leak. I'd just drain, put in the right amount and run it. Oh, and park it on its own kitty litter...just in case! :lol:

Kurt in S.A.
If overfilled..... usually the extra oil get pushed out through your breather and into your carb/carbs. Lots of thick smoke and a poor running motor until it all gets cleared out. 4 quarts is not much over mark if you have the deeper pan R100.

Re: How much is too much

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:16 pm
by tomjohnston
Sorry. I did indeed mean 4 quarts. I saw no smoke on the ride home. Heard no other sounds. I will try running for a while at less-than -crazy speeds. Thanks for the help.

Re: How much is too much

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:14 pm
by She'llbe
you might not see the smoke of the exhaust at crazy speeds. Ride it like you stole it. How much did that bike cost you? How many miles on the speedo?

Re: How much is too much

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:27 pm
by Deleted User 287
If this is your first airhead, you should know that most of them are happiest when filled to the point on the dipstick half-way between the full & the add marks.

Check with the dipstick resting on the crankcase - not screwed in.

Re: How much is too much

Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 7:55 am
by tomjohnston
It's a R100S , 1977 with 24k on the odometer. Very good shape. Traded for a R75/5. Since my first post I've ridden it as hard as I dare without my state inspection sticker. I'm 67 years old and have been riding for 43 years.

Re: How much is too much

Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:11 pm
by Duane Ausherman
Do the night test for oil burning with a friend behind you.