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I searched back on old threads about using a piece of wire to fashion a "dip stick" to check oil level on the GL1000.

I made a nice 10" piece from welding rod....and was able to slip it down pass the gears to what I THINK is the bottom of that case area. The oil level seems to be at 3/4" while on the center stand.....which corresponds to a "top line" fill on the window....again on the centerstand.

If you are using the "wire" method....is this dimension sound about right? thanks

I use a stainless steel zip tie, with a mark scored into it with a chisel.

one of my parts bikes has a manufactured dip stick. screws into the drain plug hole.

Sounds right. If you’re new to Wings, many find the oil consumption goes quickly from the high mark to the middle mark, then barely budges. If you keep topping it up, you keep consuming it. Mine would lose 1/2 quart in 500 miles. I ran oil change to oil change just filling to the middle line in the window.

One of the things I found on my 76 when it started using oil was that the PCV/crankcase vent had come loose off of the air cleaner, it was always good about never using oil but on a 300mi trip it went through a lot requiring several quarts to top it backup. Kind of surprised me because it NEVER EVER used oil prior to that point.

After reconnecting the PCV/crankcase vent it is back to not using any oil. If fact on that trip there was a slight increase in fuel economy as well. This all prompted me to clean/rebuild the little oil separation tank &drain on the back of the engine as well, it was in bad shape with the foam all disintegrating and it was full of bugs with the drain Tube plug gone.

So why would this simple thing cause a lot of oil consumption ? Here’s my thoughts & therory, I believe that having the crankcase vent/PCV plugged into the airbox creates a negative slight vacuum in the crankcase that reduces or removes any piston ring flutter so you have better piston ring seal.

I have redone a number of Wings over the years and most have a simple hose and breather attached to the crankcase vent which provides no vacuum to the crankcase, I have spent a fair amount of time repairing & restoring this system that I think most attribute to the “evil” emissions thing so it has to be bad, but is incorrect. So if your Wing uses oil try hooking this system back up and I’d bet the oil consumption will go down if not completely away. I have found this to be the case on several bikes now.

Put me in the zip tie class, works fine.

ob1quixote wrote:I use a stainless steel zip tie, with a mark scored into it with a chisel.

What is a stainless steel zip tie? This is a new one for me.

-P.

It's azip tie.........made of stainless steel. I use them all the time

Think I got mine at Lowe's.

CYBORG wrote:It's azip tie.........made of stainless steel. I use them all the time

Where are they sold? I have never seen one. Zip tie, in my mind, is plastic with a ratchet head.

-P.

I get mine at Harbor Freight

I have custom ones for all my wings..

pjlogue wrote:

ob1quixote wrote:I use a stainless steel zip tie, with a mark scored into it with a chisel.

What is a stainless steel zip tie? This is a new one for me.

-P.

i have seen them on machinery, but never in a store. looks like they are available online and not too expensive either.

5speed wrote:I have custom ones for all my wings..

Got pictures?

CYBORG wrote:

5speed wrote:I have custom ones for all my wings..

Got pictures?

you made them.