Checking the dip stick

[Athame57]

*Swallows pride* The manual it seems shows this for the 350 and it says oil level should be up to the upper level of the dip sticks measuring area, however it looks different on the 400/4 and I've always settled for the halfway mark, right or wrong?

[Matt_Harrington]

I would have thought that oany level above minimum would be safe. I do tend to top up any car or bike to the max mark...

[K2-K6]

Same here, with any level above minimum being OK.

The upper and lower marks on dipstick, sometimes crosshatch marked, ordinarily denote a volume to top up if needed. usually measured from lowest to show you how much to put in and reach maximum mark.

Older cars often 1 pint or quart on bigger sump.

More currently, 500 ml between lowest and highest mark to give you indication of just how much to put in. Likely smallest sump size could be 250 ml but may say in manual.

The deep sump arrangement on these bike (echoed across many motorcycles) make sure that the oil pump pickup is always submerged for all reasonable angles, cornering, braking etc to ensure uninterrupted supply to pump.

[Bryanj]

In the dealers it was always sent out on the upper mark when dipstick resting on case and NOT screwed in

[taysidedragon]

I always keep my oil level on the max level. That way I've got a safety margin if the engine starts losing oil, or burning it. If the level is on min already, you're in trouble!

[ST1100]

In the dealers it was always sent out on the upper mark when dipstick resting on case and NOT screwed in

No vibration issues due this?
(I'd get numb hands when filling my ST1100 to the max line in the view-glass... never over 3/4 there)

[Bryanj]

The ST wasnt about when i was doing it but no never a problem with anything Japanese.
Daf trucks drink oil if over 3/4 full but they do hold 38ltr

[TrickyMicky]

Have owned Hondas since 1967, and it's always been:-  before the first start of the day, put bike on centre stand on level ground, remove the stick, wipe, insert so it is just resting on the threads and then take a reading. Always kept them on the full mark, that's why it's there. Older air-cooled engines give the oil a hard time. If Honda had wanted less oil in the sump they would have put the full mark lower down.  Obviously the only change to this procedure was on the likes of the CB750, which had a dry sump system, then the level in the tank was checked at the end of the day just after stopping the engine.  Keep 'em well lubed, oil is cheap, engines are not!!  Stay safe everyone. Mike.