Oil usage

[Filmcamera]

I have noticed something about how my bike uses oil.


Last weekend I did a 250 mile round trip two up ride with the missus, gentle slow speed and low revs were the order of the day.  I had topped off the oil when we started and when we got back it had not used a single drop and was still bang on the correct level.


This morning I did a 90 mile fast, high revving ride and when I got back the oil level had dropped below the level of the sight glass, so maybe half a quart in total.


That is a huge difference in oil consumption based solely on riding style.  What is the likely cause and I should I be worried?

[Skunky]

Oil usage is a weird thing. I would monitor your exhaust output. If it's smoking when you're riding hard you could be looking at the rings wearing. What year is the bike. The earlier ones had rings that oil seems past when I'm the side stand. For it to disappear its either burning blackjack smoke or leaking somewhere.Try a compression test.

[drut]

Maybe,just maybe running harder took the oil temp up higher and heated out some moisture/condensation from lower temp running.These K bikes in general(including mine)seem to use some oil.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

My K100RS4V uses oil as well, about 1 quart in 800 miles on average.  The compression is good and I have changed the valve guide seals with little effect.  There is no noticeable smoke once the engine warms up.  I suspect the oil control rings are stuck as the bike had sat for several years before I got it. 

I am trying some Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas to see if will loosen up the rings, but if it doesn't it's no big deal as otherwise the bike runs great.

[Laitch]

. . .  I should I be worried?

No. Keep the oil within the appropriate range on the sight glass and enjoy life.

[Filmcamera]

Hey Drut

Maybe,just maybe running harder took the oil temp up higher and heated out some moisture/condensation from lower temp running

I don't think that is it mainly because if anything the bike was running hotter in during the low revs ride because it was lots of slow corners uphill at 30 mph or so.  Being in Costa RIca I really need to be running at 50 mph or more to keep the engine cool. Today I was up at 80+ most of the time and the engine stayed below the half way point nearly all the time.

Laith

Keep the oil within the appropriate range on the sight glass and enjoy life.

Ok great, wilco, thanks

[Skunky]

I am trying some Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas to see if will loosen up the rings, but if it doesn't it's no big deal as otherwise the bike runs great.

Do you think Marvel Mystery Oil would work for my knees. Like the K bike the older I get, the more Oil I use.  :dunno

[Laitch]

Do you think Marvel Mystery Oil would work for my knees.

It's a mystery. Try it on a salad first.

[Filmcamera]

I recently started taking this stuff GNC Triflex on the advice of my osteopath - I cannot honestly say I feel much difference as of yet but there again my knees (and back and shoulders and wrist) are a mess!

[K1300S]

I recently started taking this stuff GNC Triflex on the advice of my osteopath - I cannot honestly say I feel much difference as of yet but there again my knees (and back and shoulders and wrist) are a mess!

looks like standard glucosomine/condroitin.  "joint juice"  available from many vitamin shops.  i used it for years for my knees.  seemed to work, i guess...maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part.   what helped my knees the most....i stopped running and rode more!

on the bike oil thing..my 94 K75S has not needed any top off at all in 3k miles.  including around town, spirited road trips and a track day.   my 92 K75S has only gone 100 miles since i got it, all at or near the redline on a track.  no noticeable oil use.

[Skunky]

Back in my Early Forties I decided to enter the London triathlon. After all I'm a very strong swimmer and even chimps can ride bikes. Three weeks into the training and I found I did not have the knees for running. 10 years of Oil to get them back into shape.

Anyway Back to the Bikes -
Is it probable that the later models use less oil because of the later Piston ring set up. To stop oil leaking through them when its on the side stand ?.

[Laitch]

I recently started taking this stuff GNC Triflex . . .

I'd avoid that. The guy on the label doesn't look well at all.

[Filmcamera]

Tut tut Laitch - don't you know that beauty is on the inside...