Subject: Re: " HEY LUCKY"  Vmax checking the oil on the 97  max

Lets see if we cant get your oil sight glass problem corrected:  To see if
the glass (Located right forward lower case halve) has paint over spray on
it, try spraying some good carburetor spray on the tip of a rag and rub the
black cover to see if it takes the paint off. If not then go to your Yamaha
dealer and order a new oil level sight glass. Wont cost much and is easily
installed. I could tell you a easy way to position your bike so that you can
take the sight glass or any side cover off with out ever draining your oil
but, maybe later.
1) Drain the oil
2) Get a long common screw driver large tip.
3) Press the tip of the screw driver to the far front-center of the glass on
the rubber part.
4) Give it a hard hit and the glass should turn side ways.
5) Pull out the glass with a pair of pliers.

 NOTE!!  (DO NOT PUSH ON THE SIGHT GLASS IN THE MIDDLE FOR THE GLASS CAN BE
POPPED
 BACK INTO THE ENGINE CASE)

6) With sight glass removed clean sight glass matting surface with a good
cleaner removing all oil, dirt paint etc.
    You can install the glass 2 ways:
        a. You can coat the new sight glass rubber out side seal with a good
grease
                                                                        "OR"

        b.  You can put a little RTV black silicone to the glass out side
seal, also applying a little RTV on the
             case surface where the glass goes back into.

Now when you are ready to install the sight glass:

1) Prep the sight glass as preferred.
2) Push the sight glass into the case as far as you can with your fingers
keeping it straight and not going into the case no more than a little past
flush.

NOTE: If you cannot push the sight glass far enough into the case do the
following:
        a. Get a 6"X3/8 extension with a 3/8 socket large enough to where
the socket head when put against the
             sight glass only touches the glass rubber out side seal area
only.
        b. Lightly tap on the end of the extension with a hammer just enough
to where it goes into the case
             and just goes past the flush surface of the case. Keep it
straight and do not hit it hard enough to push
             the glass into the case.

              GLASS INSTALLED!!

Note: If you use RTV, put a thin film along the glass rubber seal out side
area  and case, this will make sure you never have a leak down the road.
Hope this helps out.
Doug Nelson.