Oil level in site glass

[Steve do]

I know, 3 qts 22 oz, It has been mentioned so many times it is imbedded in our brains. When I got this bike the guy mailed me the ticket for the 30,000 mile fluid changes. The oil in the site glass was at the top. I drained it, both plugs and filter, it measured out to 4 qts, 10 oz. I put in the 3 qts, 22 oz, the oil in the site glass is at the bottom now after running it for a few minutes. I know everyone says don't pay any attention to that, I'm sure some of you do look at it. Is that pretty much where it will be at??? This is a little concerning, I didn't expect that much of a difference. As always, thanks, I read this forum morning and night, everyone is always so willing to help.

Steven

[debron]

Even the official Kawasaki service manual says to put in 3.5L (3qt, 22oz) with a filter change. So no, I don't worry about the site glass. . .

[grumpin]

I know what you mean. Yes I look, yes it barely shows at the bottom, yes I put in 3 quarts and 22 ounces, and no I don't like it. But I have definitely learned through the years each engine is different. If your bike is not leaking or burning it, it should be fine.

[voyager55]

As Ron Popeil says- Set It & Forget it 3 quarts 22oz.

[Lucasind]

When I bought my XII,(in 2012) the shop told me the bike was "just completely gone thru and serviced" cause the owner of the shop took a long tour on the bike to a BMW rally. I rode the bike a couple thousand miles before I did my first oil change ,and measured the amount, and found as you did,4qt.....8-10 oz. mine too was halfway in the site-glass window.

Don't know their meaning of "completely serviced"as I eventually found all fluids,were apparently what was installed at the factory in 03 !..........tony

[Chris near Kansas City]

3 qrts 22oz and mine is in the middle of the sight glass on the center stand the next morning.

[cushman eagle]

3 qts 22 oz mine is consistently just above the center of the site glass,if it is setting level on the center stand.

[the2knights]

3 quarts 22 ounces in mine looks low. When bike was new to me was filled to center of glass, had over 4 quarts in it. I take Carl's advice. Make sure to drain both plugs and change filter, put the correct amount in. Don't even look at the sight glass. Was thinking may be a good spot for a Mr. Yuck sticker!

[doug of so fla]

Keep looking at it and it will get up to half way once in a while.

If you add oil to get it to half way up in the window then you will have 4qts 10 oz. like other non-believer's have done, and then it will start to leak and make a mess.

Think of it as oil expands after its heated up. 3qts 22onces and you will be fine.. Trust all XII owners who have done it for yrs !!!

[Steve do]

Thanks everyone, you would think as good a manufacture as Kawasaki is they could get the site glass in the correct position. I'm sure I'm not the only one that has worried about this. Thanks again!!!

Steven

[grumpin]

What doug of so fla said is true. Sometimes it will read half way up. Thought I was losing it a couple of times!

[gearheadfla]

Do yourself a favor, paint over the site glass and forget it. As a matter of fact, if you paint the bottom half of it black, then it will always be at the right level

[ghostler]

My 2001 with current tires as is, oil shows at top level on center stand parked on a horizontal flat surface when allowed to sit for a while. This is with the recommended dose of oil at change time. I'm guessing that it depends upon suspension, tires, absence or gain of lowering kits, etc.

I'm thinking as with any indicator, that it could be useful if a little discretion is used. (Notate where oil level sits after change on center stand on a known level surface and after resting a couple hours, etc. That establishes the benchmark for future reference.)

Anyway, that's me.

[Mr Jensee]

I am thinking the site glass location (identical to the same years Concours BTW, was placed there as an afterthought and was a bad design that either Kawasaki was too lazy to fix or they felt once in production was too costly to relocate. EVERY OTHER Kawasaki of similar design had the site class located on clutch casing on the right side and hence was fairly accurate. At least that is my take on it. I agree with the previous poster, just paint over the dang thing and forget it.

[Lumpy Rider]

In any case it's unnerving to look at the site glass and not see the oil level. At 3 quarts and 22 ounces barely a trace shows in mine. I may need therapy to help me get over this.

[Me Again]

In any case it's unnerving to look at the site glass and not see the oil level. At 3 quarts and 22 ounces barely a trace shows in mine. I may need therapy to help me get over this.

Just shorten the side stand until the oil level is were you want it.

[Lumpy Rider]

Now why didn't I think of that

[Mr Jensee]

News flash. Those metal bars that stick out the sides of the bike are not to be used as a side stand!

[gery]

Gentlemen

Did I converted? 3.22 quarts is 3.04 liters?

gery

[grumpin]

Gentlemen

Did I converted? 3.22 quarts is 3.04 liters?

gery

That's what online conversions has.

http://www.onlineconversion.com/