What are the odds / Oil

so i did an oil change 2000 miles ago. i knew it was coming up quick as far as my next oil change. riding into work today i noticed the oil light flash on and back off... so i stoppped by the auto store and grabbed some oil... made sure i was on level ground placed the bike on the center stand and noticed that i could only see 1/4 of the sight glass covered hmmm
pourded in a whole quart..... just barely got to the top of the sight glass. using the side stand method i think i might be about 1/4th of a qt low.


so the 64,000 dollar question of the day is for a bike that has a 6000 mile oil change interval using 20/50 oil in 25% stop and go traffic in 102deg weather would the oil actually break down 1+qt in 2000 miles? i just colortuned not 300 miles ago and my plugs we perfect "medium brown" so i think a bad valve seat is not in question. i know alot of you guys live in cooler climate but has anyone else seen anything like this? ..... by the way i am 100% sure there arent any leaks anywhere on this bike..... i havnt given it a thorough cleaning in about 3 months and havnt seen so much as a seep on it since i last cleaned it.

 

Wow that's odd - I have not seen that on my bike - I do change the oil every 1500 miles - she's old so I baby her. But I can tell you I have never seen the oil level drop in even the hottest weather here. Last summer I kept a religiously check on it because I had gas in the oil in the spring.

I know your plugs looked good but sure you are not burning it? How is your compression?

 

i want to say it was around 148 PSI i vaguely remember #3 being off by 2 PSI.

 

New oil will "outgas" a little, (except synthetic) but that shows up right away.I think waiting 6,000 miles is too long. The gears and chains in our motors will "shear" the oil chain molecules into shorter pieces, reducing viscosity, making the oil wear out faster than a car engine would.

I don't go much beyond 2,000 miles on an oil change.

 

Yea I would think you shouldn't burn any at those numbers

 

What's the other 75% of the time? Oil consumption WILL occur, even on a properly tuned and functional motor if you're running at high speed for extended periods in hot weather. My '81 550 uses some oil but ONLY when it's getting hammered by high-speed (70-80mph) commuting. If I use a slower (60mph or less) route I never use any oil.

I would watch it like a hawk when it's really hot out, and see if a pattern develops. It could be a slightly leaky valve stem seal, and it could be such that it only leaks any significant amount at high rpm.

I wouldn't be overly concerned but it's an old bike so I'd keep an eye on it.

6000 between oil changes is pushing it. I wouldn't go more than 3000 myself.

 

OK Fitz why high RPM and temp? Thinner oil and more cycles to "eat" more oil? I have to admit I don't hammer my bike most of my ride is 60 to 65

 

fitz like hagar says i cant ride 55 i normally run above 65 straight shot 70mph on my way into work non stop avarage 68-85mph " yes mom i know its not the speed limit" on my way home i do alot of senic riding 55+ with some stops and alot of twisties. keeps the sanity and the tire round.

its looking to be 102+ deg for the next 10 days so i guess i'll find out or maybe i'll just take the car a few times if i get tires of sweating.

 

If you have recently Tuned ... I'd be looking at them Plugs.

A sudden onset of Oil Comsumption requires that you inspect the Plugs and and the "Shelf" behind the Air Filter.

Plugs:
Too clean.
Lean Burn consuming Cylinder Oil Sheen as Fuel.
You could be "On the edge" of a seriously critical LEAN Condition ... where the Power Stroke is "Consuming" ALL available Fuel.
This means the Oil Sheen is getting Burned as Fuel.
If you Plugs are CLEAN or the Ground Strap is coated with GRAY you're Eating Oil.

Shelf Inspection:
If there is Heavy accumulation of Oil on the Shelf and the Drain Pipe from the AirBox to the atmosphere has a drip on the edge ... you need to do a Compression Check.

Also:
Take a ride and have somebody follow you for 15 to 20 minutes.
Ask them is they saw any smoke coming from your ending as you shift gears and accelerate and down shift..

 

air box & air filter is clean and plugs look good not too lean or too rich... colortune confirms at idle and under acceleration nice medium blue burn if I turn it in even 1/2 turn it goes white 1/2 out starts popping from the exhaust.