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Can anyone give me an idea how to measure the amount of oil in my scrambler if I attach the oil filler extension tube and keep using the (supplied) dip stick screw cap? I doesn't make sense to me.

Sorry, don’t understand the question. Don’t you just use the marks on the stick? Or am I missing something?
On the narrowcase motors, the “filler” plug is below the oil level so before I had the extension I just poured 2 litres (as per manual) in through the clutch adjustment cover. With the extension and stick, 2 litres is on the top mark with the stick screwed in, and also aligns with the step inside the tube.

Aye Dave,

Like 'ranton' I'm unsure as to what you mean in your question about the oil volume/levels for your Spanish widecase 350 scrambler? I assume that the machine you are refering to is the one on the forum at this thread: http://www.motoscrubs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3108

Reference information for the Spanish and Italian 'widecase' singles oil volume is, i believe the same. If not, somebody will soon tell us!

I believe the Haynes Ducati singles manual oil volume to be incorrect.

You should read carefully Nigel Lacey's posting of "Sun Sep 19, 2010 10:30 pm" in this thread on the forum: http://www.motoscrubs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=907&hilit=Oil+Sprocket+Leak&start=10 This very clearly specifies the volume of oil required in your widecase engine and the reasons why.

I hope that this helps answer what I think you are trying to find an answer to, "What is the oil volume needed for a late Spanish 350 widecase single engine?"

Good health, Bill

I think that what Dave is saying is that the dipstick marks are correct without the filler neck, but when the neck is fitted the markings will be too high? Aren't there different dipsticks for engines with and without the filler necks?

Yes that is what I'm trying to say! The strada and forza manuals both say 2.5 kg of oil,I think.the Haynes manual gives a much higher amount.It is not possible to put that much oil in the engine.(3.13). I have removed the extension piece anyway. It does not perform any useful function.I have a funnel

Aye DaveL,

With my '74 450 MKIII widecase engine, with filler extension and dipstick as supplied with the engine, the dip stick works fine and the level mark is accurate when the sump is filled with 4.24 pints of oil as per Nigel Lacey's post, or my 'Owner's Handbook' 0.549 Imperial gallons, or 2.5 litres.

If you think that somebody has fitted an alternative length filler extension that then negates the mark on your dipstick, I can measure the length of my 450's filler extension for you and the dimensions of the dipstick. If you try using the extension type dipstick, without the extension, then the mark on the dipstick will be too low on the dipstick. Whether a narrow case dipstick has been used and is differently marked from a widecase dipstick, I do not know and hence my offer to do some measuring.

I find the extension useful, it makes filling with a funnel easier, as the gusseting for the Italian widecase frame's sidestand makes accessing the crankcase filler in this area difficult. I cannot see from your two previous images whether your frame has a sidestand and attendant gusseting?

Personally, if I had just acquired the machine, I would be dumping the oil in the engine and re-filling the sump with a known quantity, as above, of an appropriate oil. You can then check your levels to your satisfaction and mark your dipstick accordingly.

Good health, Bill

Maybe narrowcase is different, but with the standard filler, the cap is only a cap, no dipstick. So the only option is to fill with a known volume. No way to check level either!
According to Mick Walker all widecase should have 2.7 litres of oil, but I’d go with Nigel’s recommendation.

What is an extension type dip stick?

Oh and I haven't just acquired the bike. I built it.

Hmmmm, I don't know if the Mototrans bikes did come with a filler neck; the parts manual for the 250 Strada, which is a wide-case engine does not show one, and it appears that both wide-case and narrow-case Bologna engines did have the filler neck. The only way to be sure of the oil level, apart from filling with the correct amount and then making up a dipstick, would be to buy a filler neck and the Bologna dipstick to go with it.

Hopefully Jon will read this and will definitively say whether the Mototrans bikes came with the filler, possibly only the 350 because of the higher price?