Checking the oil / changing the oil

[jeff15116]

Ok, here's a question for y'all: looking at the glass on the side, I can see oil in there but it's very light. How is the oil supposed to look in that window? Also, when it comes to changing the oil, I'm figuring I need to take the right side panel off of the bike? Or am I missing some trick?

[ducapaso]

Just roll the bike on the right side (don't forget it's HEAVY!) until the oil reach the spyglass: when you put it on the centerstand, you'll be able to see a bit of oil still inside the spyglass.
Now you've just to refill it

[Desmo_Demon]

looking at the glass on the side, I can see oil in there but it's very light. How is the oil supposed to look in that window?

My Paso appearantly has a bit of blow-by past the rings and the oil gets fairly dirty pretty quickly, so my oil has a tendancy to look nearly black in the sight glass. When the oil has just been changed, it usually has that golden color for the first few miles until it mixes with the old, dirty oil that was in the coolers.

Also, when it comes to changing the oil, I'm figuring I need to take the right side panel off of the bike? Or am I missing some trick?

You can get away with only removing the seat and the right rear panel (two screws), if you have a long funnel. I just topped off my oil over the weekend and only removed the rear panel. With it removed, I was able to slide my hand and lower arm through the opening between the frame, tank, and side panel to unscrew the filler cap. My funnel is fairly small in diameter and is about 10"-12" long.