Hard to see oil on dipstick.. Any ideas on how to see/read it better?

hondaCM400e · 06-22-2012, 08:31 PM

My oil dipstick is whitish and I just changed the oil and realized that, when i remove the dipstick, i can tell that there is oil on the dipstick but it's hard for me to tell the oil level on it. Does anyone else have this problem? My bike is a 1981 honda cm400. Does anyone have any tips on how i can get around this - so I can see the oil level better? I was thinking i could tape a piece of some kind of paper on it (on the 'full' level) every time i check it. Would there be an easier way?

Goliath616 · 06-22-2012, 08:38 PM

when you pull the dip stick, keeping the bottom pointed down so it does not flow up the stick....look at it with it between you and a light, the oil should show a reflection and you can see where it stops

hondaCM400e · 06-22-2012, 09:19 PM

Okay. I'll try that. Thanks!

Dodsfall · 06-22-2012, 10:01 PM

Make sure the motorcycle sits for a few minutes so the oil can settle all the way down and not still be lining the sides of the dipstick tube. Pull the dipstick and clean it off well. Stick it back in and pull straight out, so as not to disturb the level on the stick.

hondaCM400e · 06-23-2012, 09:15 PM

Ok, will do. Thanks!

Bede5man · 06-26-2012, 11:48 PM

Pull it out of the case.

06-22-2012, 08:31 PM	#1
hondaCM400e Verified Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: PA Posts: 59	Hard to see oil on dipstick.. Any ideas on how to see/read it better? My oil dipstick is whitish and I just changed the oil and realized that, when i remove the dipstick, i can tell that there is oil on the dipstick but it's hard for me to tell the oil level on it. Does anyone else have this problem? My bike is a 1981 honda cm400. Does anyone have any tips on how i can get around this - so I can see the oil level better? I was thinking i could tape a piece of some kind of paper on it (on the 'full' level) every time i check it. Would there be an easier way?

06-22-2012, 08:38 PM	#2
Goliath616 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Over here Posts: 4,199	when you pull the dip stick, keeping the bottom pointed down so it does not flow up the stick....look at it with it between you and a light, the oil should show a reflection and you can see where it stops __________________ '08 Yamaha Road Star To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-22-2012, 10:01 PM	#4
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,843	Make sure the motorcycle sits for a few minutes so the oil can settle all the way down and not still be lining the sides of the dipstick tube. Pull the dipstick and clean it off well. Stick it back in and pull straight out, so as not to disturb the level on the stick. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

06-22-2012, 09:19 PM	#3
hondaCM400e Verified Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: PA Posts: 59	Okay. I'll try that. Thanks!

06-23-2012, 09:15 PM	#5
hondaCM400e Verified Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: PA Posts: 59	Ok, will do. Thanks!

06-26-2012, 11:48 PM	#6
Bede5man Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 339	Pull it out of the case.