Originally Posted By: MotoTribologist
Originally Posted By: Kira
Do all bike engines have sight glasses?
All the ones I've owned have had them. I do like it, but I wouldn't mind a dipstick as well. Having to level the bike (can't use the side kickstand), and where they are located (often behind the footpeg and behind the rear brake lever) makes it kind of annoying in my opinion to check the level. But it's not so bad.
I expect most or all bikes need to be level to check the oil (else suspension changes would throw off the reading). I've only had one bike with a dipstick (on the left), but the centerstand was a dealer added option (which I got). Tall bike, so it might not easy to check while sitting on the bike. Maybe that's how people do it with dipstick-equipped cruisers? Don't remember how I checked mine before I got the centerstand installed.
I think the centerstand was an option also on the only bike I've had with the sight glass on the left. Holding the bike up by hand from the left to check oil isn't as secure as holding it up from the right, since in that case the side stand will catch it if you let it get away from you.
The bikes I've had with the sight glass on the right were pretty easy, centerstand or no.