[bsouza10x]

At least om my 2022F

Geez, Honda.

Quoting the owner's manual:

"Place your vehicle in an upright position on a firm, level surface. Check that the oil level is between the upper level and lower level marks on the oil level inspection window"

They forgot to add "Checking the oil level requires balancing the bike upright while crouching low enough to see the window, being extremely careful not to drop the **** thing while doing so" (My quotes)

So I found a 1x2 board that fit under the stand and kept the bike relatively upright, while I nervously steadied it and crouched down to read the level.

Why Soichiro? Why?

 

[SC48]

Or.....get on the bike as you normally would, balance it between your legs with both feet down, and take a photo on your phone. Helps if you put the camera on a 5 second timer so you're not rushing to drop your arm down, or to press the capture icon.

 

[bsouza10x]

Great idea, except -
1- I normally don't take my cell phone out of the house (weird)
2- The camera is broken.

I could take a snap with my digital camera. Stupid that I have to do that, but it would work.

 

[bsouza10x]

Update:

I just tried the mirror method. Works perfectly! And its safe! Thanks for the tip!

 

[SC48]

That's great. In a pinch, and if you're not looking for accuracy (like you would need during an oil change), all you have to do really is lean the bike slightly to the right and look at the glass without crouching; if you see oil, then you're good.

I do the ballpark method before every ride, and only check more accurately with every chain cleaning job (1k kms or less).

 

[Lyche]

I like the risk...reminds me I am still alive.

 

[bsouza10x]

People at work think I have a death wish. They don't get it. I'm 62, had a front and back operation, every part of me either hurts or works intermittently, and can't see or hear as good as I should.

They think I should be sitting at a table and knitting or scrapbooking, or playing shuffleboard with the other old people.

I feel like I'm dying unless I'm riding or shooting.

 

[LongRifle]

People at work think I have a death wish. They don't get it. I'm 62, had a front and back operation, every part of me either hurts or works intermittently, and can't see or hear as good as I should.

They think I should be sitting at a table and knitting or scrapbooking, or playing shuffleboard with the other old people.

I feel like I'm dying unless I'm riding or shooting.

Congratulations on your new 500F. Mine is also the Matte Grey metallic. I'm 100% convinced it's the only color available in the U.S. I bought mine for the same reasons you did, only I'm glad I didn't wait as long. I'm 55 now and just got back on the saddle after a 22-year absence. I haven't checked the oil since I rode it from the dealer a couple of weeks ago. I was gonna wait until I installed the center stand, but the mirror or cell phone method seems easy enough. Safe riding!

 

[jdock]

From the auto store - get a mirror on an expandable stick and most also have the mirror adjustable.
Then you right the beast, extend the mirror, angle it as needed, and you can see the level from the seat all safe and not straining your back !!
Then you collapse it all up and slide into you coat or where ever.
You're welcome.

 

[Old'38Rider]

People at work think I have a death wish. They don't get it. I'm 62, had a front and back operation, every part of me either hurts or works intermittently, and can't see or hear as good as I should.

They think I should be sitting at a table and knitting or scrapbooking, or playing shuffleboard with the other old people.

I feel like I'm dying unless I'm riding or shooting.

I ride with three different groups, and there is no one as YOUNG as you. One friend quit at 92. I am 84 and average 100km (62 miles) each day. Yes, my hips and lower back are stuffed, and I walk with a limp since breaking my femur a couple of years ago but I don't intend to stop riding any time soon. It is not because of a death wish, but rather a wish to live. I have a son your age, so don't tell me that you are old. What you can do, you should do. My 500F is old. It will turn over 200,000 km tomorrow.

 

[brian.souza]

I ride with three different groups, and there is no one as YOUNG as you. One friend quit at 92. I am 84 and average 100km (62 miles) each day. Yes, my hips and lower back are stuffed, and I walk with a limp since breaking my femur a couple of years ago but I don't intend to stop riding any time soon. It is not because of a death wish, but rather a wish to live. I have a son your age, so don't tell me that you are old. What you can do, you should do. My 500F is old. It will turn over 200,000 km tomorrow.

Wow. I'm blown away.
Actually, my safety instructor was 71 years old, and I was amazed at his skill.
It kinda boils down to the individual. Some of us are just in better/worse shape than others.
Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[motohonace]

Yet another reason for mounting a center stand which will come in handy for so many other service related issues. Yes I have used a mirror in the past & used to lean the bike up against a wall balanced vertically. Center stand is much better all around.