Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Checking oil

[Lee1980]

Is there a better way of checking the oil on a 748s than getting someone to sit on it?

All previous bikes had a dipstick, When its on the Abba stand the level is tipped forwards as it lifts the bike so high. Is a paddock stand better for checking oil?

I'm worried about the level after I dropped it from stalling the other week. Am I likely to have lost any oil from dropping it?

Anyone got a better way of checking it, or is it just a case of geting the missus to sit on the bike each time

[moto748]

Get a mirror, like a shaving mirror, say, and prop it up against a nearby wall at 45 degrees-ish. Have the mirror say about a metre from the bike. Sit on the bike (stand up), and get it truly vertical. It's quite easy to see the window in the mirror.

I quite often (in the winter) do it in the dark, too. All you need is a torch to shine on the mirror!

[uncle porry]

i just get someone to hold the bike steady while i look in the little window.....

[psychlist]

Not tried it since I lost the strength in my shoulders but you can hold the bike balanced by holding the RH bar and lean down beside the bike to look-see! Helps if you've got an "ordinary" side stand that you can leave down rather than a "sui-side" stand.

[NBs996]

I lost quite a bit of oil when I dropped mine, but that might be something to do with the 'ole it made in the crankcase! Can't see that you'd lose anything just by dropping it though, unless somethink broke.

Anyway, as psychlist says, just hold the right bar and stoop down - the bike weighs nothing when it's upright. If you're not confident get someone to stand by at first in case you want to shout "catch"!

[Shazaam!]

I just use a small hand mirror to view the level window while sitting on the bike.

[Lee1980]

Thanks guys, the mirror thing sounds best maybe on stick or something

Best not try the crouching down method likely to drop it again