got a stuart taylor locoblade...

1. any tips for how to read the oil, its in a small window under the nose cone and i cant really see it.

2. i dont thrash the car but on a "spirited" run out will the engine mind being pushed up to 10,000 rpm + ?

3. any weekly or monthly checks i should be doing?

4. why is it when i change up / down the revs hardly seem to change???? say for instance i change up - the engine doesnt pull as hard as youd expect but revs hardly drop - i end up in 6th before i know it!

Engine is fine to rev to 10k, just dont bounce it off the limiter, as you might drop a valve.

What RPM do you change gear at approx? If its anything less than 8k+ then your not getting anywhere near the full BHP of the engine, and therefore acceleration will be more sluggish than if you keep her singing.

Watch the motogp next time its on, when it cuts to onboard footage it sometimes shows the telemetry, revs etc, watch how even with 18,000rpms to play with, the bikes rarely drop below 14,000rpm.

I'm not suggesting you ALWAYS drive at high rpm, but that is where the power is.

i use a wee mirror to check the oil.
the revs only drop a tiny wee bit, about 500 rpm or something.
bear in mind that 6th gear will be on the fun side of 100

i know - you feel an amazing surge of power at about 7k, just didnt know how it reacted to being driven like that. i think its because you can hear the engine so clearly, and its so loud, i instinctivly change up and end up in 6th!