oil light on '92 xj600s

Hey everyone, I'm new to this site and haven't figured out how to navigate it... I'm sure someone has asked a question like this, so I'm sorry to repeat it, but I just couldn't find that/those post(s)!

I've had a 92 xj600s for little over a year now, which I've ridden only a few times a month, but I otherwise start it up once weekly to keep the battery charged. I've also gone on a few longer rides in the summer (July being the last), about 60 miles each way.

I tried riding it about 2 months back and saw that the oil light came on and stayed on. Usually it'll turn on for a bit while warming up on the kickstand, but once I tilt the bike upright it goes away -- I know these lights are finicky on secas. This time, however, it didn't go away, so I immediately turned back and went home (I'd only gone about 1/2 mile). I tried riding it again today, and for the first 1/4 mile the light was off, but then it came on. I immediately turned back again... hopefully that 1/4 mile of driving it with the light on didn't result in serious damage... :cry:

I'm new to bikes, as this is my first and I've only done repairs on my trucks and cars, so any advice or a reference to a related post would be appreciated. I plan to change the oil and filter as general maintenance; the previous owner said he did an oil change but since then he may have put on 1,000+ miles before I bought it, plus the carburetor needs some serious tuning which I assume would foul up oil more quickly. I'm hoping it's just a matter of a quick oil change, but if not, what else could the oil light indicate? I know, I know, I could look at my handbook... but I don't have one (yet). I also plan to fully rebuild the carbs as soon as I have 15-20 hours of free time....

 

the oil light is a oil level ,not pressure light.
the oil will probably need topping up. the sight glass is on the clutch case r.h.side.
top up to line with bike on centre stand.
stu

 

The oil light is an indicator of oil level in the crankcase.

With the bike on the center stand.
Let the bike sit for 10 minutes to allow the oil level to settle.
In the bottom of the clutch cover with be a sight window.
There should be a small bubble of air in the top of the window

If the oil light is due to a low oil level. The an oil/filter change should take care of the problem.

Manual spec for oil change
with filter replacement 2.5L/ 2.6Qt maximum

Ghost

 

That just about sums it up!

Add just a splash more than 2.6QT (oil+filter change like Ghost said) and that oil light should be history.

When that light comes on when the bike is kickstanding, and then goes off when upright -- normal!

If the light comes on while you're riding, definitely head back to the casa and evaluate. But that's what you did, so cool. If you don't have an oil leak, it's probably just low and due for a change. Don't worry, you didn't do any damage. That's why the light is there. 8)

 

awesome, thanks everyone!! I was hoping it was just a oil level light

here's another amateur question: what type of oil to use? I've read that 10W-40 is right, but also 20W-40. I just do casual riding, nothing racer-style.

thanks again

 

Castrol 4 T

 

castrol 4T, 20w40? 20w50? 10w40?

 

20W40 is recommended but hard to find; 10W30 is only for cooler weather; you'll want to use 20W50.

It doesn't need to be 4T, as long as it's motorcycle-specific, conventional oil.

 

thanks everyone, I'll get a user's manual asap so I don't ask more amateur questions

 

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10W30 is only for cooler weather
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so, that would depend on where he is???
as the 600 is mainly a european bike, is he in sweeden, norway???
gets quite cold there.
his sig is'nt very informative
stu