Oil Dip Stick

[theninjaguy]

Hey all!

Question, I just put in around 3.2-3.5 quarts of oil and changed the oil filer and I turned her on and let her run for a bit.

the next day I checked the dip stick for the oil, and it doesn't show anything.  

Is this supposed to happen?

Thanks!

[Re-run]

Well I forget the type of bike you have but the sohc takes up to 3.7 quarts max.
When changing oil, you fill the tank and it gets about 2 guarts, you run the bike and add after that.
If you got 3.5, then you are full but your check valve is letting oil into the engine when sitting.

[theninjaguy]

Will do, thanks!

Also after the changing the oil, which was sitting in their for 3+ years, the engine runs a helluva lot smoother.  

[ferroussphinx]

its normal and ya dont want to put more than 3.5 quarts in these old machines   they will puke a gasket then you will be down till you fix it

[Re-run]

I wouldn't say it is normal as with a bad check valve, you have no idea how much oil is in the bike since the dipstick won't ready anything. On its own, the bike will be ok, you just do not know what your level is but as long as you are not burning anything, you should be ok.

[sgtslag]

I would highly recommend running some SeaFoam through the crankcase, considering your comments about the old oil, and how the engine's performance improved with an oil change...  You likely have a lot of gunk and deposits within the engine and the transmission.  I've used it on all three of my bikes, and three of my four-wheeled vehicles, without any issues.  It has not affected my clutch on any of my bikes, so don't worry about that.

The directions can be a little confusing, but it is 1 oz. of SeaFoam per quart of oil.  Check the color of the oil before adding it, then add it in, run the bike on the center stand, for five minutes, then check the oil's color:  if it darkens (it will likely turn it black), change the oil, and filter, immediately.

SeaFoam will dissolve carbon, and varnish deposits within the engine, and the transmission.  Some will be caught by the filter, the rest will be suspended within the warm (operating temperature) oil.  After treating it, your engine and transmission won't need another treatment for 10,000+ miles, if even then.  If you use a diesel oil (much higher levels of detergent; no friction modifiers to affect your clutch, either), with regular changes, you should never need another SeaFoam treatment in the engine.

SeaFoam will also dissolve varnish in the gas tank, and the entire fuel system:  1 oz. per gallon of gasoline.  It will also stabilize gasoline for up to one year.  For fuel issues, add it to a full tank of gas, run the engine for a few minutes to circulate it through the system, then shut it off for at least a day.  After that, run that tank as low as you dare, before filling up.  Good luck!  Cheers!