Oil level problem - or is it me?

I just checked the oil level on my '81 XJ650 Maxim and it looks good, just a bit below the top of the site glass. But yesterday I checked it and was low, about half way down. A few days before that it was about 2/3 of the way down.
It seems every time I check my oil I get a radically different reading.
And this is while the bike is on a center stand and I've used a bubble-level to make sure its straight. And only after I've let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes to let the oil settle.
I've heard that Yamahas can hold back some oil in the galleys and only let it out very gradually. I don't know how true this is.
If anyone has any idea what's going on and any advice on how I can rectify this problem, I'd appreciate hearing about it.
thx,
baz

 

Your gas is off and not on PRI??? Open up the oil cap and smell the oil, If it smells like gas, replace the oil. Gas in oil will thin it out which will do no good to the bearings and other metal to metal wear surfaces.

Hmm If the oil not leaking from the bike and you didnt leave the gas on PRI, which is a big no no for long periods of time. I would keep an eye the oil usage and just make sure that it has oil in there. Have fun and enjoy the riding season.


Sean

 

I'm sort of afraid I might be burning oil with over 92,000kms (65,000 miles) on the engine without any ring job. But I don't see any smoke ever coming out of the exhaust. Maybe it's a very slight burn since I lose maybe a 25% of a quart every few months. I tell you, it's a mystery to me.
thx for the advice,
baz

 

No other indication of oil issues? Warning light? That pretty blue Mosquito fog from the exhaust?

 

No gas smell in the oil, no warning light, no blue smoke, no any kind of smoke, idling, riding or screaming full bore, I've looked back down at the exhaust and nothing. No leaks either. Maybe I'm going insane or something...

 

thats always a possibility! ;-)

 

I suggest checking it the exact same way (same location, same time, always on center stand) for several days in a row to see if you are still seeing a variance.

 

I have an 82 xj650 and I love it I changed all fluids to proper levels and all filters and put new plugs in it. between 6000 - 7500 rpm i have a hesitation like it is bogging down. I did not clean the carbs after i got it but I did run some gumout through it and it did start idling better but that hesitation is still there I had somenoe tell me electrical i need new wires adn someone tell me carbs im new at this and really need some help and any little bit is great

 

I think I figured out the oil level issue. On my 81 XJ650 Maxim there are a couple of rubber half moons that seal the right hand side of the valve cover. I've discovered that one of these has been weeping oil a small but consistent amount of oil, which then gets burned on the hot engine. It does leave some dirty residue and a film of oil on the surface of the half moon. Obviously, this only happens when the bike is running because oil must be pumped to the top of the engine for the weeping to happen. Some day soon I'll take off the valve cover and replace that leaky half moon.
So maybe I'm not insane...
baz