K11 Owners Group

winarm · Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 2

I am a new '96 K1100RS owner and was checking the oil and could not see any in the reservoir so I added a quart and still nothing. I added a total of 5 quarts and I still can't see any oil in the reservoir. What am I missing? There are no leaks or spilling.

Please help. Thanks in advance.

lrome48 · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:18 am Post subject:

Drain it and refill it slowly-you probably filled past the top of the sight window. The glass will show a level line after just over 3 quarts.
_________________
Larry
K75
97 K1100 LT Specialk under construction
87 SpecialK75 Carols done!
2004 K12 Special the 'Beast' delivered
K1100 Standard Custom Gone but not forgotten

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:39 am Post subject:

Do what Larry recommends. 5 quarts is more than the bike takes when the oil and filter are changed.

Check the oil when the bike is on the center stand on level ground and, if the bike has been run recently, let it sit 10 minutes or so before checking the sight glass.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Phil Marvin · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 11:28 am Post subject:

Hi, Winarm,

What they said! The book says the bike takes 4 qt. with a filter change. The book lies. Unless you have a brand new or rebuilt engine which you are initially filling with oil, put 3 qt. in the engine. Start the engine and go for a short ride. When you return, put the bike back on the centerstand and check the oil window. Add oil until the oil level is about halfway to the top of the window, maybe slightly higher. Ride the bike! You probably have between 3 1/2 and 3 3/4 qt. of oil in the engine.

K1100 engines have the reputation for using oil. My first one, a '96, used a quart every 3k-4k miles, regardless of what oil was used or how it was ridden. My second one, a '95, used no oil. It had under 5k miles on it when I bought it (2005). I used a Mexican SG rated 20w50 oil (I live on the border and my barber is in Mexico, so I go there every couple of months) to finish the break-in and I rode it normally - no babying it! If I hadn't hit the deer two years ago, I'd still be riding it.
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

Saltcreek · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 11:46 am Post subject:

Welcome to the forum!

If you started with enough oil for the window to be full, lets say at least 4 quarts, and added 5, that's up to about 9 quarts. I'd be surprised if that much fit. If it did I hope you didn't run it. I'm hoping you can measure how much drains out and let us know.
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold Sad

2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

Off the grid · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 11:48 am Post subject:

Is the bike on the sidestand?
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

winarm · Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 2

Thanks everyone. I can't see jack through the sight glass but I can finally see the oil in the reservoir.

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 11:52 am Post subject:

If you put 5 quarts in then you need to drain it and refill it to the proper amount.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE