Yamaha TRX850 Enthusiasts Forum

for the benefit of new (and probably some old) site users:

the TRX has a dry sump and the oil check procedure is as follows:

- warm the bike up, ride it preferably, until the bike is hot
- turn off engine
- as quick as you can, get the bike level and check the sight glass

And for info, there are 2 oil drain plugs!

A complete oil change (inc new filter) takes the best part of 4 litres - I tend to take out 300ml from a 4 litre can, glug it in and then check.

I have posted this as a sticky and will rudely insult anyone who ever asks this question on the forum again - search is your friend

my warmest christmas greetings,your just a big teddy bear,thanks mate

Now how do you change the oil.................(sorry)

Thanks Phuk, someone told me to be meticulous about oil level (if anything, just above the mark) when i bought the bike. I lost my first engine to oil starvation at the cam due to the pick up in the oil tank being blocked. It had a beard like Brian Blessed and had been that way when I bought it. I made sure that the replacement engine was clear and regularly checked level since, but apparently wrongly. Is the effect of too much oil reduced by the dry sump/oil tank configuration?

andyaber wrote:Is the effect of too much oil reduced by the dry sump/oil tank configuration?

Perhaps? It certainly gives any excess oil soemwhere to go but still not a good idea

From what's been posted here before, I thought that after getting the oil nice & hot (15 minute ride) you should leave the bike standing for about 10 minutes before checking the level??

pbear62 wrote:From what's been posted here before, I thought that after getting the oil nice & hot (15 minute ride) you should leave the bike standing for about 10 minutes before checking the level??

Not in my opinion - oil needs to be checked immediately

For a normal sumped engine its best to leave it for a few minutes after running to make sure the oil has run down the galleys back into the sump before checking, I'm not sure exactly how the dry sump works or where the oil is stored, so correct me if I'm wrong but wouldnt the oil need a minute or so to settle in its place before checking?

I usually warm it up good & check it while running...

Is bad?

Pretty certain the manual says to wait before checking the level after warm up - I'll have a look at the manual tonight

Good shout on reinforcing the point though....................

Here is a copy of the page from the manual about checking the oil, not really clear about straight away or wait.

Once the engine is up to operating temperature simply stop the motor, haul the bike upright while sat astride it or put it on paddock stands and look down at the sightglass, no need to wait, the oil tank level will drop back slightly as it cools down so don`t wait too long.
I find by the time you`ve put the bike on the paddock stand it`s just right.As long as the oil is anywhere between the upper and lower marks on the edge of the sightglass it is correct.
Always top up with the bike upright too, overfilling is very easy.

From the Haynes book of lies...

With the motorcycle vertical, the oil level should lie between the maximum and minimum levels on the inspection window. Start the engine and let it run for 2 or 3 minutes. Stop the engine, wait a few minutes, then check the oil level.

As you say, the Haynes book of lies

In truth, I don't think the difference in reading will change dramatically in a couple of minutes.

But, the bike will not get warm in 2 or 3 minutes of idling and checkign teh levels after that will give false readings

Ok, this morning, rode the bike to work, (about 10km), got to work, checked the oil as per the manual, topped up 800mls, then checked it again with the engine running & engine off waiting a couple of minutes.

Basically no difference between the readings.

Providing you can see oil and it's not too black and murky it should be fine....