Oil change I have 86 suzuki savage should the sight glass show oil when cold or just when it is warm?

Drain the oil and refill to correct level make sure to clean your plugs

On newer model bikes there is no dipstick, just a cap.
so to check the oil level, you need to look on the engine cover itself.
there will be a sight glass, with 2 hash marks on the case .
lower line is minimum, top line is maximun

If the sight glass is too dirty, warm up the bike and then change the oil and filter.
Then watch the sight glass as you fill the oil.

if bike is equipped with a center stand, always check oil on center stand.
if no center stand then check oil with bike on kickstand.

The sight glass will be either on the right side lower engine cover
or left side lower engine cover.
it it round and about the size of a quater.

Hope to be helpful.
best regards
Big al

Greetings,
To check the oil level there is a 1 inch sight glass on the foot brake side of the bike, it is down low just above the exhaust pipe, you will need a flash light and get down on your knees and hold the bike level [not a neet trick while on your knees and holding a flash light]. In the sight glass there are two marks on the front and rear the proper oil level is to be between the marks, not the level is only about 2 ounces of oil from full and add so if it needs oil don't over fill it. [Be sure to not let the bike fall on you, that could really make for a bad day.]
Good luck, Les

Any oil that is JASO MA certified motorcycle oil. 10w-40 for cold climate and 20w-50 for warm climate and highway driving. Do not use any oil that says Energy Conserving on the label. It will shorten the life of the wet clutch and transmission gears. Suzuki makes a reasonably priced full synthetic that will help your bike run cooler and shift easier.

there is a small round oil level sight glass on the side of the tranmission case.

10-40 probably, check level when the bike is sitting level (the true use of the center stands) you should see oil line across the sight glass but dont fill it more than 1/2 way in the sight glass, it can cause problems.

i beleive that there is a sight glass and check it with the bike up right

Cool Bike ! I recommend Castrol Syntec Actevo 10-40wt, buy 4 qts....after oil/filter change hold bike level on level ground and pour 1 qt into dipstick/plug hole...if you have a sight glass, check level there....check level every1/4 additional qt until you are properly filled...do not overfill...Good Luck to you friend....Tim

If your Savage is the same as my old 1988 Savage, you probably checked the oil level in the sight glass on the side of the engine case. Make sure the bike is standing straight up when you check it. It is easiest to have someone else hold the bike while you bend over to check the level. If I remember correctly, the fill port should be on the upper side of the crankcase about 8 inches away. If it is not there, check the opposite side of the engine. I really miss my Savage, but after 13 years riding without having an accident, I figured I was living on borrowed time considering how blind the drivers around here are.

Hi! I presume you are in a fairly warm climate? if so 10W40 synthetic should do the trick as for quantity? Not seeing many of these in my area I can only presume Suzuki still have a SIGHT/LEVEL glass usually just below or aroung the base of oil filler. Wth the bike upright on centre stand the oil should be visible through of the Round sight glass (1/2 way up). So dump your old oil, replace oil filter and remember to put sump plug back? fill with required oil to half way up the sight glass and Bingo!
Hope this helped,
Good luck!
Paul 'W'
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