I am having difficulty in reading the correct levels on the dipstick to my '05 Ural Troyka. Try as I may, my tired old eyes just do not easily see the oil levels on the dipsticks to the final drive, tranny or engine. I have thought of spraying the marks with Rustoleum or even dipping the areas with the Rustoleum dip material that is used to put a rubbery substance on tool ends and such. The product indicates it is resistant to most chemicals, so I am thinking it would not contaminate the oil, but I am not for certain. I have been told I can sand the areas on the dipstick and cut the grooves deeper with a hack saw, but I am just not certain that this trick would do much more than what I already have. Anyone ever muck about with an oil dipstick in order to make the reading of it easier?
Thanks,
Huey
Die grinder or hack saw notch at the level marks on both sides works well.
That way you can run your thumb down the stick, nail side down.
When your nail hits the notch and oil is present on it, you are full.
If you come up with a dry nail you might want to add a little.
If your thumb is also oily then it's over filled.
No eyes needed,
Lonnie
after making the notches a little deeper on the stick, you should be able to see the oil ,when held in the light.. If not, maybe you shouldnt be riding a Mo'cycle? legally blind? Just kidding, of course :o)
maybe food coloring in the oil?
Rather than paint, stop by a machine shop and ask them if they have a little Prussian Blue Layup Dye. I'm guessing they'll apply it for you. It turns metal a very dark blue and makes the "wet" stand out.
Hey, now that is an idea I had not thought of in the past. Have to give it a shot, as try as I may, I still have real difficulty in seeing the oil on the dipstick. My fingers and thumb are pretty calloused, so I don't necessarily feel the oil either. The lighting in the garage is really poor and the paint inside it is sort of a dull grayish white.
I'd generally just back her outside and do all the maintenance there, but the recent rains and a tree trimming crew that cut down many trees in the creek area locally seems to have brought every mosquito known to the western hemisphere into my yard and driveway. We have a creek out back and the little boogers seem to thrive on nibbbling on my arms and legs. Therefore, as poor as the lighting is, I am prone to working inside at the present time.
Thanks to everyone with the ideas and suggestions.
Huey
Originally written by Huey on 10/26/2006 7:08 PM
Hey, now that is an idea I had not thought of in the past. Have to give it a shot, as try as I may, I still have real difficulty in seeing the oil on the dipstick. My fingers and thumb are pretty calloused, so I don't necessarily feel the oil either. The lighting in the garage is really poor and the paint inside it is sort of a dull grayish white.
I'd generally just back her outside and do all the maintenance there, but the recent rains and a tree trimming crew that cut down many trees in the creek area locally seems to have brought every mosquito known to the western hemisphere into my yard and driveway. We have a creek out back and the little boogers seem to thrive on nibbbling on my arms and legs. Therefore, as poor as the lighting is, I am prone to working inside at the present time.
Thanks to everyone with the ideas and suggestions.
Huey
I also have trouble seeing the oil level on the stick. I need just the right light angle to see it. need to wipe it off very dry several times and stick it again.
after dipping in the crank case, try laying the stick on a napkin or paper towel flat, with the oil on it... you will then see where the oil is on the paper.
the dipsticks are a problem.....
some years hd says "change the oil & then make a mark on the dipstick at the level the oil is at". on some years there are bike level marks on one side of the stick & sidecar level marks on the other side of the stick. the current issue [2007] have both marks. i have no idea why they bounce back and forth. some years you have to get out the pocket knife and some years you just turn the dip stick around.
go figure.
After a lifelime of near perfect vision, I too have failing eye sight. When my eye glass perscription isn't strong enough, I use some cheap 3X reading glasses. What really helps though is the Mini Maglight. I have several of them scatered around the house and shop along with the reading glasses.
