WAfatboy

Just wondering what impact the slightly raised rear from being on a paddock stand makes when checking the oil? At least it's upright!

Quiet Bloke

Someone will no doubt know the correct answer but I suspect that if you want to be totally accurate it will be "no".
If you used a front stand or somehow elevated the front wheel so the bike was level once on the stand I'm pretty sure it would be as long as the stand held the bike completely upright. Some stands have a tilt and this might also bugger it up.

joshinthecity

Yeah.
No.

Have the bike on the flat. Kneel on the right-side, balancing the bike upright at it's balance point and shine a torch into the gap on the fairing to get an approximation of the correct oil level.

That's right Ducati. That's what we all do.
Thanks.

zvez

Yep, what he said.

Marcbc

Not strictly true, some of us have the oil sight hole

I keep my bike up on front and rear stands when it is not being used for a couple of weeks or two. That is when I usually do an oil check too.

DRSapp

Do not use the Ducati rear stand when checking the oil level. For safety while spinning the rear, the Ducati rear stand leans the bake a few degrees to the left. If you fill you oil while on the stand, you will over fill.

Marcbc

Fair point, however, I am not convinced the lean is enough to make a material difference in the level. Certainly no worse than when trying to hold the bike upright? I never fill above the mid point anyway.

Xbox

Its actually a very minor difference, whereby reading on the rear stand shows LESS oil.

Prior to my first service, the bike would show virtually no oil in the sight glass on the rear stand and just above the lower notch off the stand.

Now it shows half way between the upper/lower notch on the stand and the upper notch off the stand.

WAfatboy

Thanks guys.

Yes Ducati, we kneel in our garages balancing our expensive machinery with one hand and a torch in the other, or using both hands and small torch in your mouth......fark I can't believe I'm still doing this, my 1997 900ss was the same story!

Steve B

Gonna go out on a skinny limb here and suggest doing it the on the knees, one hand on the seat other on the torch way. Once. Verify it's ok there, then set it on YOUR stand and see where it is there since you know the level's correct. Then use THAT reference point. Won't be the same point for everyone, but it'll be the right one for you. Probably going to end up cutting a hole in the fairing myself, since Ducati clearly forgot. Think I'll do it in the shape of a heart...

Panigaleman

I think it takes two people to check oil.

jyli19

What! That's a Ducati man, why would you check your own oil? Doh!

By the way, Ducati should definitely replace our right lowers for free, as far as i am concerned, that's a gross malfunction.

Trauma

I check it whilst in my Baxley Sport Chock, so I don't need am assistant

Baxley Sport Chock Motorcycle Stand

efna

Simple solution here. Check the oil site glass on a level surface both wheels on the ground. Have someone hold the bike upright for you by straddlign the bike. Do not have them sit on it! Make note of the oil level.

Now, put the bike on your rear stand in your garage (or where ever you usually check your oil). Check the site glass. You now have your reference!

See, simple solution and you do not have to worry about holding the bike while on one knee, bent over, with a flashlight in your mouth, and your head upside down to check the oil and risk having the bike fall over on you.


EDIT: Just noticed SteveB suggested this same thing. Great minds.... eh SteveB?

Ducati Dreams

I may have a rare procedure for oil checks. On a level surface I straddle the bike with both feet on the ground, get the bike centered and then lean over with my torso (being sure to keep the bike level) and look at the oil level. I use a small LED light that I place right between the fairing and clutch cover so that the beam shines directly in on the sight glass. Given my angle of sight is not straight on but I use the markings on the sight glass for reference. This way it is a one man job and I have control of the bike. I never felt comfortable kneeling down on one side and holding the bike upright.

zvez

dunno, I just squat down on the right side, sidestand down on the left, eye ball it for being level peak in at the site glass, pretty easy, worse case if the bike falls over on me, I'll prevent the fairing from getting scratched.

Been doin it that way on my ducs since 98 and haven't blown an engine yet.

jyli19

bring back the dipstick

Daveiggy

Done it both ways, very little difference. If you arent happy holding the bike upright with 1 hand then put it on the stand. On my old bike I used a block of wood under the sidestand that was perfectly on the balance point, so just used you hand to prevent the bike falling to the right (finger tip pressure enough).

tholstro

I just add oil until it comes out of the filler hole. No need to struggle with a light to look thru the fairing...

Bronston

It's just part of the unique Ducati experience!