XS1100LG Dipstick?

 I just bought a somewhat neglected bike, and was kinda wondering how the
heck you can tell how much oil it has/needs.

Is there a dipstick I can make or something?

If anyone's interested, it's a 1980 Midnight Special, runs well at higher
RPM's, but won't idle worth a damn.  All I have to do is fix that, and, um,
everything else, and it'll be good as new. heh

Not bad for $300.

Anyway, if anybody can offer a bit of wisdom, I'd appreciate it.  I don't
want to mess with anything until I get the fluids right.

Thanks,

CS

 CS wrote:

Look at the sight glass when the motorcycle is standing upright, but not on
the center stand. There may be a level line or a witness hole in a sheetmetal
disk behind the glass. If there is a witness hole, the oil level should be at
the hole.

http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptIde0122&machineId ‚42


#24: GAUGE,LEVEL  (this is not a very good drawing of the sight glass which
is in the clutch cover, it shows the sight glass from the inside of the cover
where no human could see it.)

http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptIdc5650&machineId ‚42


#31: OIL PRESS SWCH ASY will cause the oil pressure light to come on when
there's no oil pressure.


I haven't seen a motorcycle with a dipstick in 40 years, unless it's a Harley
and has one in the oil tank.

Go to Wal*Mart or any good auto parts store and buy a 15-oz can of Berryman
B12 Chemtool Choke and Carburetor Cleaner. Put about 5 or 6 ounces of the
liquid B12 into a full tank of gas and go for a ride to clean out the idle
jets and idle passages.

But, before you take that ride, find the idle speed adjustment screw so you
can turn the idle speed of all four carburetors down at the same time.

As the B12 cleans the gum and varnish out of the carbs, the engine will begin
to idle too fast if some previous owner has turned the speed up to compensate
for dirty carbs.

http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptIdd1949&machineId ‚42


#13 (I think this is the master idle screw that adjusts all 4 carbs at the
same time.)

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http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptIde0122&machineId ‚42

http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptIdc5650&machineId ‚42

Found the sight glass!  Thanks!


http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/ShowSchematic.aspx?deptIdd1949&machineId ‚42

Great tips!  Thanks again!

If I can get this thing running well, I'll start restoring the rest.

CS

 
you got a bargain on a great bike. try to stick with factory stock as much as
you can. IF your idea is the keep a classic. if you bought it for a real
rider, update all the safety stuff you can. 27 years has added some real
safety. i love old bikes and go both ways. the classic restos are ridden
differently. usually a lot more gently.

 
This bike will be a rider.  By "restore" I mean restoring this bike to safe
and reliable operation, and if possible, make it look good.  I'll be
throwing on new shocks and springs, brakes, stainless brake lines, and
whatever else I can update/afford.

When first sold this bike was called the Midnight Special.  It had black
chrome and black paint on most everything.  I'm not going to fool around
with all that.  Some regular chrome, a slightly more moderate paint scheme,
well, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself.  Gotta get the thing running first.

CS