Measuring the oil level. The scooter is on the center stand.

[yak]

The previous owner of my 2013 PCX bent the stand. One of the pegs is bent back. I used a vice grip to straighten it out but the bike is not "level" when using the center stand. Can i test the oil level with the bike sitting with both wheels on the ground? If not, what should i do to get the most accurate reading of my oil level? Should i roll the rear wheel onto a 2 inch block of wood to simulate the position of the center stand?

[stryder123]

Set it up the way you will check it every time so it will be consistent. Drain the oil then refill it with the exact right amount of oil. Check how high it is on the dip stick and you will know that is the correct amount from then on.

[Mel46]

I think you could get a scrap piece of 2 x 6 and put it under the bike just in front of the centerstand. Then use pieces of 2x4 to level the bike, and you should then have a makeshift center stand. You will need some help at first. Use a level to check it, but it should be level.

[cessna151]

Step 1: put on center stand and check oil level
Step 2: prop up as if center stand weren't bent and check oil level

If it is the same for both checks you're fine, if not then prop it up from now on.

[tbln930]

Buy Harbor Freight 1500 lb motorcycle lift on sale after coupon for $75. Lift bike and change oil. Use it for all future maintenance.

[yak]

Thanks for the ideas. The dealership put it on a lift and said that i had filled it correctly (by measuring the oil before i poured it in). I probably won't pay $75 for a lift so i can check the oil. I had not thought about using a level .... i will do that. A mechanic looked at the bent peg and said that it could be straightened with a vice grip. But it did not turn out completely flat..... it buckled a bit as i pulled on it.

[Dustoff66]

I bought one of the Harbor Freight lifts 2 years ago. For the less than $75 coupon price it's a good deal and it really helps with cleaning. I can raise my PCX to a good height for getting the road crap off those little nooks & crannies, cleaning the wheels, etc. Just be really sure to secure your bike with ratchet straps BEFORE you lift. My neighbor didn't and had the sad experience of watching his bike topple off from 2 feet high. Cost him over $1200.

[tbln930]

I leave the strap on it so i dont forget. I use the lift a lot too.

[iceman]

I bought one of the Harbor Freight lifts 2 years ago. For the less than $75 coupon price it's a good deal and it really helps with cleaning. I can raise my PCX to a good height for getting the road crap off those little nooks & crannies, cleaning the wheels, etc. Just be really sure to secure your bike with ratchet straps BEFORE you lift. My neighbor didn't and had the sad experience of watching his bike topple off from 2 feet high. Cost him over $1200.

Once the road 'crap' is on the wheels and in all the nooks and crannies - what's the best way to clean it off? I know you can spray some protective stuff on before hand, but once grim is there and with no protective layer - what's a good thing to get the muck off? Plain water and drying or some spray?

[tbln930]

I have a 3000 psi power washer but you need to be careful with that. I use it to clean my concrete sidewalk and it literally takes the surface off of it or a wood deck. It can even remove corrosion but..... it can hurt finished surface too.

[Mel46]

When i wash ours with a standard garden hose i can adjust the spray with the nozzle. Most dirt comes right off, but then you can soap up the bike with standard car washing soap and a big sponge (just don't consider using Sponge Bob. Your kids or grandkids won't appreciate that.) Be careful with the spray around the bearings. Otherwise, everything should be fine. When our local shop works on our bikes they always wash them afterwards. They use the air hose to dry them off, being careful around the bearings. All in all, the pcx is not hard to wash. I had a Harley that was much harder to clean. It had chrome everywhere.

[homie]

Chief says... take the stand off and beat the crap out of it until its level touch up paint, put back on and dip your wick properly. Take you about 30 minutes.

[WhiteNoise]

yak, maybe you can find a lift cheaper on Craigslist? Sometimes folks buy them use a few times or not at all, and then put them up for sale. Just a thought. Sorry about your bent center stand. Geez, a shame

homie...Seriously? Can it be straightened by removing it and smacking it straight? What tools? Using a hammer and vise? What?

[Dustoff66]

yak, maybe you can find a lift cheaper on Craigslist? Sometimes folks buy them use a few times or not at all, and then put them up for sale. Just a thought. Sorry about your bent center stand. Geez, a shame

homie...Seriously? Can it be straightened by removing it and smacking it straight? What tools? Using a hammer and vise? What?

HEAT the stand before you pound! Put it in a vise, heat it with a nice blowtorch -- the low-end small propane one will work fine -- THEN pound it straight. Or, just spring for a new one.

[WhiteNoise]

^^ Perfect assistance, thanks for explaining Dustoff66
yak, does that help Ya?

Funny and ... I plum forgot that you have the option of buying a new one. (I am getting old(er)

2013 PCX main stand: http://www.cheapcycleparts.com/oemparts ... 20fd/stand

[tbln930]

I know - they are nearly free as are most of the PCX parts. I don't mind having some spare parts on hand at the PCX prices. I can tell you that airplanes are quite another matter on parts.

[yak]

I did think about the blowtorch approach. Then looked at the gas tank and had 2nd thoughts. I didn't think about removing the stand first. I wonder if i can just put a tiny shim under the unbent peg to even them up when measuring the oil level? Or can i go back to my original idea and measure the oil with the scooter sitting on both wheels with no center stand? If so, how would that change the "reading" on the dipstick..... put in a bit more oil or a bit less oil to top up?
I should replace the center stand but i won't. I am getting better at DIY projects but i am still not very handy. I don't want to do it (even if WhiteNoise reassures me that i can).

[tbln930]

Did you see the main part of the center stand is like $18. That is the price of a movie ticket and a small popcorn.

[Dustoff66]

I did think about the blowtorch approach. Then looked at the gas tank and had 2nd thoughts. I didn't think about removing the stand first.

..........Holy cow, PLEASE remove it before you torch! Unless of course you're looking for the melted plastic effect. Taking the stand off ( on a lift ) is pretty easy, and as has been mentioned a new one is not that expensive. I wouldn't go with a shim because if you're ever parked on uneven ground and the shim's not just right you might return to find your baby resting on its side.

[forza300]

Interesting. I usually measure oil level when the bike is standing vertical on 2 wheels (pretty easy even single-handed), not on the stand. I've done this for the last 8 or 9 bikes i owned. Maybe I need to re-read the PCX manual?