How often do you check your oil level and can i buy bulk bottles of oil? - SV650.org

02-06-13, 06:07 PM

So it occured to me ive been doing alot more riding than usual down to the fact i have been doing alot of advanced training. I am otherwise usually fairly diligent about the maintainence of my bike, but have neglected to check the oil level for about 1.5k miles since i last changed it, and i had to put about 600ml to raise it back to the top of the dipstick(it was even touching the bottom!)
I was wondering what benchmark you guys use for checking the oil? I realise different/older bikes will burn it at different rates (like simons shed..)

Also, is there a more economical way to buy bike oil, or a cheaper brand? At present i have been using castrol 4t but its over £30 for 4l, and on the cb500 i am changing the oil every 2.5/3k. When i get on the gsxr the recommended interval is 4k, so i was wondering if there is a 25l bulk bottle or something as my dad also rides so we could share it.

Mark_h · 02-06-13, 06:14 PM

I check mine each time I take the bike off the driveway but as the SV has a sight glass it's no trouble. As for buying oil I stock up when HG have a special offer. Get almost two changes out of a can.

Tomor · 02-06-13, 06:14 PM

I check mine once a week, regardless of miles. I think some companies do sell oil in 25L drums, but generally only to the trade (garages) Ask around and im sure you may be able to find one.

squirrel_hunter · 02-06-13, 06:19 PM

I never check the oil level, I just replace engines.

muzikill · 02-06-13, 06:20 PM

I check mine everytime it gets put back in its bed after a ride.

02-06-13, 06:24 PM

Find somebody with a halfords trade card and then buy more with the savings!

sniff · 02-06-13, 06:26 PM

Check as and when I remember. Which shouldn't be too hard. But I do remember every couple of weeks.

Oil I get as a freebie from work. Well I say work in a very loose way.

02-06-13, 06:29 PM

Yea the gsxr has a sight, so will be alot less of a faff to check. Hein gericke Mark? Thought theyve shut down or do you buy it online from their eu arm? Good idea on halfords trade card, i have a mechanic mate..

Mark_h · 02-06-13, 06:33 PM

HG in Farnborough is still trading.

Fallout · 02-06-13, 07:01 PM

4 x 1 litre bottles tends to only be pence more expensive than the 4 litre bottles, so by that logic I wouldn't expect mahooosive cans to be much cheaper. It's just one of those areas you'll have to take the hit on I'm afraid stu.

02-06-13, 06:07 PM	#1
stuR Guest Posts: n/a	How often do you check your oil level and can i buy bulk bottles of oil? So it occured to me ive been doing alot more riding than usual down to the fact i have been doing alot of advanced training. I am otherwise usually fairly diligent about the maintainence of my bike, but have neglected to check the oil level for about 1.5k miles since i last changed it, and i had to put about 600ml to raise it back to the top of the dipstick(it was even touching the bottom!) I was wondering what benchmark you guys use for checking the oil? I realise different/older bikes will burn it at different rates (like simons shed..) Also, is there a more economical way to buy bike oil, or a cheaper brand? At present i have been using castrol 4t but its over £30 for 4l, and on the cb500 i am changing the oil every 2.5/3k. When i get on the gsxr the recommended interval is 4k, so i was wondering if there is a 25l bulk bottle or something as my dad also rides so we could share it.

02-06-13, 06:14 PM	#2
Mark_h Member Mega Poster Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fleet, Hampshire Posts: 2,448	Re: How often do you check your oil level and can i buy bulk bottles of oil? I check mine each time I take the bike off the driveway but as the SV has a sight glass it's no trouble. As for buying oil I stock up when HG have a special offer. Get almost two changes out of a can. __________________ Don't want to be the quickest; don't want to be the best; just want to be the one having the most fun. XL125Varadero -> Curvy SV650N-Y -> SV1000N-K3 -> Multistrada 1200s Twin-tastic stuff. Minister for Sustainability *Aliquid prudentissimus delectabiles et intelligentes in adamasset lingua.*

02-06-13, 06:14 PM	#3
Tomor Member Mega Poster Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Yateley, Hants Posts: 2,306	Re: How often do you check your oil level and can i buy bulk bottles of oil? I check mine once a week, regardless of miles. I think some companies do sell oil in 25L drums, but generally only to the trade (garages) Ask around and im sure you may be able to find one. __________________ Yam XT125R - Sold SV650 -Sold DL 650 K6 - Sold 2012 Street Triple R - For Sale - Linky here

02-06-13, 06:19 PM	#4
squirrel_hunter Member Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sunny Swindon Posts: 3,579	Re: How often do you check your oil level and can i buy bulk bottles of oil? I never check the oil level, I just replace engines. __________________ "A little enthusiastic?" May I add here, GG is awesome and I think I am in love with Stretchie...he rocks my world! SH2 \| 2MA \| GROM \| YSR

02-06-13, 06:20 PM	#5
muzikill Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dunfermline Posts: 1,712	Re: How often do you check your oil level and can i buy bulk bottles of oil? I check mine everytime it gets put back in its bed after a ride. __________________ Learn to maintain your bike, take it apart, rebuild the engine & more (using better bolts ), drop it & fix it again! K3 Job c.v: Engine:remove/split/rebuild/refit. Replace:Gearbox,Fuel pump,Gaskets. Piston clean,rings. Overhaul:Throttle body,Injectors,Brakes,Forks. Remove/refit:Exhaust,Radiator,Oil cooler,Throttle,Air filter,Tank. Replace: Oil,Coolant,grease,brake hoses & bleed.

02-06-13, 06:24 PM	#6
Dabteacake Guest Posts: n/a	Re: How often do you check your oil level and can i buy bulk bottles of oil? Find somebody with a halfords trade card and then buy more with the savings!

02-06-13, 06:26 PM	#7
sniff Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Dagenham Posts: 724	Re: How often do you check your oil level and can i buy bulk bottles of oil? Check as and when I remember. Which shouldn't be too hard. But I do remember every couple of weeks. Oil I get as a freebie from work. Well I say work in a very loose way.

02-06-13, 06:29 PM	#8
stuR Guest Posts: n/a	Re: How often do you check your oil level and can i buy bulk bottles of oil? Yea the gsxr has a sight, so will be alot less of a faff to check. Hein gericke Mark? Thought theyve shut down or do you buy it online from their eu arm? Good idea on halfords trade card, i have a mechanic mate..

02-06-13, 06:33 PM	#9
Mark_h Member Mega Poster Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fleet, Hampshire Posts: 2,448	Re: How often do you check your oil level and can i buy bulk bottles of oil? HG in Farnborough is still trading. __________________ Don't want to be the quickest; don't want to be the best; just want to be the one having the most fun. XL125Varadero -> Curvy SV650N-Y -> SV1000N-K3 -> Multistrada 1200s Twin-tastic stuff. Minister for Sustainability *Aliquid prudentissimus delectabiles et intelligentes in adamasset lingua.*

02-06-13, 07:01 PM	#10
Fallout Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Basingstoke Posts: 2,983	Re: How often do you check your oil level and can i buy bulk bottles of oil? 4 x 1 litre bottles tends to only be pence more expensive than the 4 litre bottles, so by that logic I wouldn't expect mahooosive cans to be much cheaper. It's just one of those areas you'll have to take the hit on I'm afraid stu. __________________ MotoGoLoco - You knows it The Shed - Suzuki GSX-R 750 K1 \| Triumph Tiger 1050 K6 Fallout Bikes (VLogs, Tutorials, Bike Vids) Fallout Breakbeat (My Music)

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