Checking my oil level

Hi,
I am a fairly new rider and am needing a question answered, granted most of you will be thinking how cant he work it out ,

However on my SV 2001 i cant find the inspection window to check my oil level! I then thought ok there should be a dip stick connected to the cap on the clutch cover but these isnt. Am now thinking should there be one connected to it and for some reason its missing??

your feedback would be appreciated.

Cheers Matt.

Right hand side of the engine.

As a new rider, i'd suggest getting a friend to hold the bike upright for you until you get comfortable with the weight and holding it up yourself.

Thanks mate, now is it a window am looking for??

[Luckypants]

Here is a pic of a pointy (2003 on) engine. It does not matter that it is a newer bike than yours, the oil sight glass is in the same place...



You can see the sight glass at the 4:30 o'clock position on the round generator cover on the side of the engine. (or just to the rear and slightly above the oil filter)

You have a curvy model (2001) and if it has lower fairings, the sight glass is obscured by the fairing and you need to look through a little hole in the fairing.....

[dizzyblonde]

Also, if your checking your oil, as Daimo says get a friend to hold the bike upright. Check your oil when the engine is cold before riding. If you have been out on it, leave it to cool down for a good while before checking it.
You'll find checking a warm engine will give you a false reading and then you go to fill her up and over fill.....never done it myself honest

Cheers mike,

Thanks for the other tips to guys!!!!!
Am sure you will all look after me ha!!

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Here is a pic of a pointy (2003 on) engine. It does not matter that it is a newer bike than yours, the oil sight glass is in the same place...

http://78.86.112.120/com/chaoscrypt/pics/oil_info.jpg

You can see the sight glass at the 4:30 o'clock position on the round generator cover on the side of the engine. (or just to the rear and slightly above the oil filter)

You have a curvy model (2001) and if it has lower fairings, the sight glass is obscured by the fairing and you need to look through a little hole in the fairing.....

Pah beat me to it - but my GIMP-Fu is stronger

[ophic]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

Also, if your checking your oil, as Daimo says get a friend to hold the bike upright. Check your oil when the engine is cold before riding. If you have been out on it, leave it to cool down for a good while before checking it.
You'll find checking a warm engine will give you a false reading and then you go to fill her up and over fill.....never done it myself honest

errr... wrong. manual specifies a warm engine.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by ophic

errr... wrong. manual specifies a warm engine.

I.E not hot, immediately after riding
I have overfilled mine a couple of times now, from it being a little toooooo warm. Then gone back to find it over full.
My other half has been riding bikes and building them for some ten years, he kicks me in the ass about these things.

[Biker Biggles]

Ive always found it doesnt matter much if its hot or cold as long as the bike is upright on level ground and you have left it a minute or so for the oil to drain down to the sump.What does matter is that you check it regularly and make sure there is enough oil in there to prevent it blowing up.