OK anyone who does their own maintenance KNOWS what a pain it is to fill the crankcase again after an oil change. I have tried many different funnel combinations and hoses over the last 15 years and I was looking through some photos I had (don't remember who posted it originally) and thought that looks like it would really work. So I went down to the local big box and bought a length of 3/4 copper pipe, an elbow and a 45 degree fitting. Also pick up some caps as well to keep the dirt out between oil changes.
The first two are the ones I had on my computer files and the last three are how I made mine a little longer to clear all the crap I have mounted in that area. I also added a strap to wrap around the bar cover to support the whole mess.
Now I have to say that out of at least 60+ times I have filled mine and other LTs this beats them all with how quickly it filled and no spillage at all. As fast as we could pour it, it was in the engine.
I have an adapter with a long flexible hose that screws onto the top pf the oil bottle and I just squeeze it in. Really fast and no mess and no having to get three neighbors to help me get it back up after filling the oil. That up and down to check where I am really takes a toll on the neighbors. >
This funnel and a bungie works well. Stores in a large freeze bag, in a tool box, with other fluid change tools and "devices". Keeps the messy bits in one place.
One "device" being the Clymer, pg.50, Fig.17 rubber mat cutout I cut from sheet metal. Easy to wipe clean, holds firm and stores in the tool box.
Any power sports dealer should be able to get them. There sold by Redline Oil # 99239 and they retail for $ 4.95. I just check on Ebay, Amazon, Walmart and all of them over price them. So you local dealer should have them or be able to get it for you. I try not to ship anything as it cost to much for a little dealer like me. Plus I like when people can support there local dealer.
I think the copper tubing solution will be the highest flow rate, but I use a funnel like this and it works great. You can cut off the tip to get faster flow, but I find mine flows plenty fast as long as the oil is room temp or warmer. I like this for two reasons: 1. It is fairly compact to store once the spout is collapsed. 2. I can leave one bottle of oil in the funnel to drain while I am getting the next bottle uncapped and unsealed. I just hand the funnel with a bungee cord and it stays in place.
Lots of good approaches here, just pick your poison.
Slightly off topic, but I still have the folded paper “funnels” in my top case cubby that came with my LT. I have never had to add oil while on the road, but I am curious as to whether anyone has ever tried to use one of the BMW folded paper funnels to add oil while on the road? I have always wondered if they would actually work.
JMO It is hard to see in and clean out the flex part of those funnels other wise they work good. That is way I like the one piece funnel easy to keep clean.Again JMO.
I don’t need to clean them often. I just stick a rolled up paper towel in each end and store until next use. When I feel a need to clean, I just put a little 100LL in and slosh it back and forth and then wash in Dawn. Squeaky clean, but rarely need to do that as if you only pour clean oil through plugging the ends between uses is all you need.
Yes I have used the paper funnel that came with the LT, it works surprisingly well for something so simple. I would not use it for an oil change re-fill, but an on the road oil add it is fine. (I still have one left)
Nice one. I was looking at doing something like that during the winter. You already provided the design.
As I have sidecar attached, it's quite difficult to check the oil level. I want to try removing the site glass and have the same type of device with a dip stick attached to the crankcase.
The trick is that it has to be very tight. I don't know on the K12 (I haven't look at it yet), but on the K100, if you open the oil filling cap, the engine will run like crap. This is because the crankcase breather is tie to the EFI air intake (between the Mass Air Flow Sensor and the throttle body). The MAF will not take in consideration the excess air coming from the crankcase.
Winter project. :grin:
That's a great design. The only slight change would be adding a male and female threaded adaptors on the straight run. So if you did take it on the road. You could unscrew the adaptors and stow it easier in bags. But I have never needed to add Oil on the road. If so. As you said ,I have the paper funnels. I think I now have a copper pipe project to do.
I remember seeing that copper filler tube on the forum as well but I decided to do one out of 1/2 inch PVC pipe based on that design. I had some extra pipe laying around the house from another project and just picked up some 45 degree elbows, a 1/2 inch threaded end and a 2 inch reducer bushing. I think total cost was around $8.00 or so. It's less elegant than the copper filler but does the job. The only thing negative I've found is that it drains a little slow and retains some oil in the bends. When it's done I put a cap on the on end and a paper towel in the filler end to keep it clean. I do like the red funnel solution presented earlier, I may look into one of those.
Not surprising that it is a little slow to fill. John’s 3/4” copper has at least 50% greater cross sectional area than does 1/2” PVC and that is using the smallest ID copper (type K) compared to the largest ID PVC (schedule 40).
Thanks for bringing up some historical stuff - based on your picts just fabricated one this afternoon to fit the LT with a Hannigan SP2 sidecar attached. Mine is a little shorter on the horizontal run in order to miss the sidecar and other brackets.
I had a small funnel and a short piece of garden hose on the end. I swung my Jpeg out and used a wire clip to hold the funnel up. Worked great. It was a bit of a Rube Goldberg device but it worked. :grin:
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