Modern Vespa

Has anyone tried fitting one of these yet? - A lot of money to spend just to check your oil level, but if it's more accurate than the reading on your dipstick, perhaps it's worth it

https://www.buchsenfuchs.com/shop/vespa

SIP are selling it too, but at a higher price.

it should really worth it, but i doubt anyone put this on yet. its very new.

that looks great.

Well since you can't buy from him so readily with a USA shipping address, and SIP doesn't appear to have the HPE version in stock to sell the idea is for me still a bit premature.

There is though some chatter about them, where people are getting them installed already in the EU - over in the german forums where I first noticed this item.

Piaggio had them in the original ET4, and a lot of other companies have or had them. They tend to discolor over time to the point you really can't tell how much oil's in there.

I suppose they could be engineered so the sight glass is threaded with a rubber 'O' ring. During an oil change, the sight glass could be unscrewed from the oil pan and cleaned.

Not sure why you think this is more accurate than a dipstick.
Put scoot on center stand, wait 5 mins, check the dipstick.

Burgman 400's have these , and no dipstick. Stupid hard to get an accurate oil level reading since the 489lb scooter must be off of all stands and held perfectly level then you squat down and try to see in there.

Hopefully these Germans have engineered this to be accurate when on the center stand!

Always amazed at the riders who find it too much trouble to look at a dipstick.
O.s.

Absolutely! I had a mirror on a telescoping stick so I could sit on my Burgman and see the glass! My Yamaha Vino had a sight glass that ran through the transmission case, so the oil had to be drained in order to change the belt etc.

I'll take the dipstick!

ok here ya go, measure your oil level per spec and what you like running level . reinstall dipstick. now put the scooter on or off the center stand which ever you prefer. look at the level in the site glass. Now you know what your level should look like with just the site glass. No more screwing the dip stick all the way in and back out.

I suppose it's either that, or maintain your scooter well, and don't worry about it.

Is anyone needing to check their oil often enough that a sight glass makes practical sense?

It looks well engineered and fabricated but it seems to be a solution to a problem no one has. First, as long as the oil is dipstick between the min and max marks, you're fine. Second, the site glass is a PITA to read because you need to get down on hands and knees to read it - I know because my BMW has a site glass and no dipstick. Thirdly, Here's a quick way to check the oil. Robot of Scooterwest showed an oil-check trick on one of their videos. You can insert the dipstick in the fill pipe without screwing it in and get a reading. When the oil is at its minimum level, it will just show on the bottom of the dipstick. When the oil is at its maximum level, the oil will show at the first line on the dipstick. You can verify this by trying it yourself. Its a very simple and convenient method.

I'd spend my money on a bunch of other things before I bought one of these oil sight glass. Just my opinion....

Miguel

Is it bottom or top of meniscus?

Stop being pedantic Znomit

its just another farkle for folks, some like it and some don't. I don't see it as a problem or a solution to anything, just another way for folks to check their oil. is that so wrong?

I am on the fence on this one. A bit much too rough around the some edges. Love the hour glass though.

Nope, not wrong at all. As I said in my post, its just my opinion.

Cheers. Michael

It does if you own a factory that makes sight glasses. It's like the sight glass on brake master cylinders, except that it gets really really hot.

Perhaps this would make perfect sense if the new pan leaked.

https://www.kawiforums.com/threads/oil-sight-glass-leaking.122848/

https://www.hondashadow.net/threads/leaking-sight-glass-what-will-seal-it.127597/

https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?93627-Oil-sight-glass-leaking

https://www.gsxr.com/threads/sight-glass-leaking.191705/

And it goes on for days...

I never knew my scooter leaked oil until I installed this product.

I would have liked one in my Vespa, as I'm used to these with motorcycles.

Some of these have been positioned better than others, but all I've seen have been really easy and fast to use.

I'll admit that modern bikes don't seem to drink much oil between the regular oil change intervals. Still, with a sight glass you can at least feel good of having checked the level even in your best Distinguished Gentlemen riding suit

I haven't noticed any of these getting dirty from the inside.

I'll guess initially these are not meant to be precision instruments, just indicate whether your bike has an OK oil level or not. So the best way to use these is when the bike leans to a side stand. You'll just stand next to the bike and pull it gently towards upright position. If the oil level is within adequate tolerance, you'll see it emerging into the sight glass during the pull - and that's all you'll need to know.

So no need for crouching. Also the pull is just a small motion, easy to do from a side stand even with a big bike.

I use a much easier method.

Just check your oil when you change it.

That oil sight glass doesn't appear like a bad idea.

It's common in many other applications and making it easier to keep an eye on the oil level isn't bad, no? Other motorcycle manufacturers use the sight glasses too and as it appears, for the most part without issues.

What I like about the implementation: the dipstick will be still there, so it just adds another and easier way to look at the engine oil level.

Greetings:

Hmm, I wonder if it's possible to see the oil becoming foamy or milky, as from a head gasket leak, through the sight glass?

yes it will.

example back in the 70's when I was racing enduros going thru deep creeks and such, after the event we would look at the oil levels and you could see if your oil turned milky from water. Thus telling you you did not get the case gaskets sealed properly and next time to do a better job of using sealant.

You should meet the Big Beo. A dipstick is located under passengers peg plate near exhaust. So if you have big hands, you either won't reach it at all, or get burned by pipe.

I like a sight glass for checking the condition of the oil, but I'm totally in the dipstick camp for checking levels.

I don't know why dipsticks aren't silver or white so you can actually see the oil mark...

Moving the dipstick to the exhaust side on the new models to me is a backward step. I would think that a sight glass on the drive side would be an advantage.

Only Quasar had dipsticks on the left side. Master always had them on the right, just next to exhaust.

Piaggio is an anomaly in that department. AFAIK, most other scooters have the dipstick on the right side, behind the stator.

On my MT 10 I never use the dipstick, like on KTM's btw, so useful to check oil level especially when the dipstick is a pain in the a.. to manipulate like in the HPE models. Would definitely buy one if possible. Thanks for sharing

I used to have an oil fill plug for my lawnmower that had a squeeze bulb, a clear section and a tube that extended down to the low oil level. Push on the bulb and if the oil level was high enough it would be drawn into the clear section. It worked great. I have only seen that one that I had years ago.

I always use a bit of solvent to clean the dip stick before i screw it back in. I helps with visualization.

Hi there, I just found the discussion here. I am the inventor of this thing. It was my idea to put the Indicator Glass on the original oil pan. It's all discussed in the German forum already but before rumors will come up, let me explain a few things:

1. I choosed the best quality parts I could find to make as much bulletproofed as I can. The Glas is natural tempered glass for example so you won't find it getting blind like the old ones on the ET4 or similar. The rubber seals are high quality hydraulic seals an the thread is tapered to get a maximum of security in point of sealing and self loosening. In addition the indicator is seated in with Liquid screw sealing so it's secured 3 times against leaking.

2. If your scooter stands on the masterstand, and the oil level is in the middle of the indicator glass, it's equal to MAX. If the oil drops to the lowestspot of the glass, it's equal to MIN.

3. The Indicator is secured against manipulation. You need a special tool to unscrew it. If you bought this product please don't be curious about how its made and try to loosen it with a pillar or similar - it will just lead to bad scratches or worst. I know it's hard sometimes because I would also be that guy, but please just take it as it is and don't try it.

3. Even if someone will damage the indicator glass somehow, I can offer a repair kit (on demand)

4. The glass makes it much easier to watch your Oil level. No need to get down on your knees, no need to clean the dipstick etc. You can see it from meters away. Like when you paid your gas bill and walk back to the scooter. Very good contrast between the bright alloy reflector on the inside and the dark oil.

Its a questiom of if you like it or not. If you like it, just order one at SIP and if you think you don't need it I'm not disappointed. I am an employee working in the office. This is my main job and this is what I need to pay the bills etc. I run a small company beside this main job where I like to machine stuff and through the shop it gives people the chance to buy the parts that I made officially with taxes etc. What's good about that is that the supply chain is very short so there is only me that need to be paid and not 34 wholesalers from here to china and back etc. With this short supply chain, I dont need to squeeze every cent out of the product. So the parts that I use to build this are all of high quality to ensure the finished product will last as long as possible.

If you have any questions, send me an email. Every single indicator oil pan on the market is gone through my hands

Btw.: SIP will have the powder coated version available as well in the next 4-6 weeks I guess. Matt black and shiny black.

Keep well everyone
Peter

AWESOME. thank you for getting on the forum and telling us all about this product.

the new 3V motors have them on the right... just like, fyi.

-g

Not only the iGet engines but the new HPE engines as well. Next to the exhaust and about 20cm deep behind the side panel.. in addition the HPE seem to be more thirsty for oil..

the 20/21 HPE engine uses more oil than the previous GTS engines and should be checked at least every 500 to 1000 miles,

Since i have been driving a vehicle i am not never, and i mean never, run out with engine oil ...
Reason?
On the wall of the garage I hung a paper sheet with the periodic checks of the levels, by kilometers and by period of time; I need a one-liter can of oil and a small graduated flask to level if needed.
I also have a suitable coolant container and for each liquid I have a funnel (with extension) to use to add.
A small pressure gauge to measure tire pressure and a small air compressor and little else are sufficient to perform a small mechanical maintenance; cleaning products complete the equipment.
The bottom line is that little attention is needed.