Hi, opinions please, I have a Yamaha XV750 1981 that uses a bit of oil. Maybe 200-300 mls over a 300km trip. Would like to get the old girl running sweet, without the oil consumption to worry about. Runs fine , has done 70,000 kms but I would like to make it a little more reliable (not having to check the oil level when out on her). what would you suggest needs doing! Rings, pistons etc! also maybe a rough idea on cost! Cheers
kazbanz,
Sep 3, 7:49am
Virago --its an old air cooled twin valve bike. You have to expect some oil useage. That said. Changing your oil regularly will mean you arent "burning off" the contaminents in your oil. Ive been there done that. You can rebore out one size and do a 3 face cut on the valves but then you've spent a grand to reduce oil use sod all. One little thing-do you fill the oil right up! I always fill to just below full which stops oil getting blown up from the cases into the airbox.
virago72,
Sep 3, 2:13pm
If I don't fill to the full mark, the low oil light comes on intermittently which makes me a nervous.Don't mind the cost of topping up the oil, just worried it will get too low and do some damage. Change oil and filter every 5000kms. Just really wondering if it is able to be fixed so it doesn't use oil between changes! Or is it a case of old bike/technology!
kazbanz,
Sep 3, 2:44pm
mate Ive owned a lot of old air cooled XJ's,XV's etc and ridden well they have all used a bit of oil. Not smokey just burned a bit
msigg,
Sep 3, 3:15pm
yea I wouldnt pull it aprt, could open up a can of worms, try a slightly thicker oil, otherwise keep it going as it is.
kazbanz,
Sep 3, 3:24pm
Virago--what method are ya useing to check the oil exactly! Ie step by step. Yam oil lights are oil LEVEL lights. They come on usually when the oil is at the bottom of the indicator but thats usually only like 1/2 a litre gone from full
virago72,
Sep 3, 3:33pm
check it when cold, bike level, sight glass level at the top mark, as shown in the workshop manual. Just want to be confident enough to go on some longer rides 500-600 km
kazbanz,
Sep 3, 3:37pm
So the air bubble is completely free of oil! Reason for asking is those ol yamahas used to pump oil up into the airbox when overfull. Have a look at the bottom of your airboz and see if theres oil right up close to where it enters the engine. See if the sponge is soaked in oil
virago72,
Sep 3, 4:10pm
No, usually fill to the top line not the top of the sight glass. Will have a look at the air box when I get a chance. It has a K&N filter(not a pod type) in it and last time I cleaned it I don't recall any excess oil.
kazbanz,
Sep 3, 6:53pm
hey no worries mon-just giving you ideas. If it helps I did a few track days on XJ900's and raced an XJ750. Never had one seize or even come close in racing conditions. One thing might be worth trying to see what happens. Try using the Motul Race 4t oil. Its expensive compared to normal oil but you'll find your shifts feel smoother and I'd be interested to see your feedback on your oil consumption
virago72,
Sep 4, 2:13am
cheers kazbanz, will give Motul a go,
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