oil change questions.

So I purchased my bike and decided that I should do an oil change on it because i'm not sure when the PO did one. I have done hundreds of oil changes on cars but this is going to be the first for a motorcycle.

I ordered the manuals and they have not arrived yet (should be here beginning of next week).

Reason for this post is i was wondering if anyone on here can post some pictures and the procedure for doing an oil change, i'm pretty certain that i know the basics of it i just don't want to turn the wrong bolt and mess something up you know? I am planning on doing it tomorrow (wednesday) afternoon, so any advice before then would be VERY much appreciated.

Also, what oil and filter do you guys recommend? I live in Barrie, Ontario and it's starting to get cold, thought you should know that incase you would recommend a different oil for fall riding vs summer.

In advance i appreciate all the advise that i know i will receive. This forum is amazing!!

Thanks guys...

 

bump

 

everyone seems to agree on casteral 20w-50 no matter what bike... and then buy a fram oil filter, cuz they're good, and cheap cuz they provided the o-rings... just take ur current filter to napa or soemthing and have them cross it. AS far as the process i dont know because i haven't changed mine yet... winter project

 

Get the stuff you need to be able to change the Oil without making a mess.
An Oil Drain Pan with a pouring spout to empty the old oil from the Drain Pan into a recycling container.

A medium-sized plastic container to catch the oil that will drain from the Oil Filter Dome when loosened.

A 6-Point 19mm Socket to undo the Sump Drain Plug.
A 6-Point 12mm Socket to undo the Filter Retaining Bolt.

Identify the Parts:
The Engine Oil Drain Plug.
The Engine Oil Drain Plug is found at the lower, front, center of the Engine's Sump.
The 19mm Hex Plug can be readily identified by a Phillips Head Screw Head attached to the Center of the Plug.
Look for the Plug above the two middle Inlets to the Exhaust Collector.

Oil Filter Retaining Bolt.
The Oil Filter Retaining Bolt holds the Filter Housing to the Case.
The Bolt is in the center of the housing.
Use a 6-Point Socket or 6-Point Box Wrench to loosen this Bolt.
Be prepared to catch the Oil released from the Dome Cover when loosened.

 

Can't speak for the Seca, but my Maxim has a small round 'thing' at the front, down low, with a single bolt in the center. Turn that bolt a bit and it will let that round part turn. Thats where the filter is located. It is spring loaded. The drain plug is in line with that bolt, just lower and set further back.

Put the bike on the center stand to help the draining.

From what I understand it is best to do this after a short ride to help all the bad stuff be in suspension (and get drained out with the oil).

From what I understand there is another drain plug back a ways, but I can't find it.

Filters...not sure the 'best', I don't even remember what brand I'm using. Make sure it has the o-rings.

 

Rick's procedure is spot on. When installing the new filter, put the bolt in the housing. Put the spring on the bolt. Put the washer on the bolt, on top of the spring. Put the oil filter on the bolt, concave side "down" (flat side facing you, or the bike once it's on.) Install with NEW o-rings and use a torque wrench so you don't over-tighten. Neither the filter nor the drain plug get super tightened, they don't need to be. A LOT of people over tighten the filter bolt, my PO was no exception. I had to use an air wrench to get the filter bolt out the first time.

 

Do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle of anti-sieze from any auto parts store. Apply to the filter bolt, drain plug, spark plugs- - and everything else threaded on your bike that doesn't require Loctite.

Here's an interesting thread with colorful commentary :wink:
Also has the "middle gear drain plug" warning and a picture.

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... ilter.html

 

Rick is spot on, except if you have the original drain bolt it may not have the phillips screw in the center. It is the only 19mm bolt head on the outside of the case, so if the 19mm socket fits you've got the right one.

Also, the original filter bypass bolt had a 12mm head. If yours has been replaced it may have a 17mm head.

Do not over torque the oil filter bolt. It's spec is 11 ft-lbs, which is just good and snug. Tighten it too much and it'll be a bitch to get out and shorten the life of the o-ring.

Torque spec on oil drain bolt is 31 ft-lb.

 

Thanks guys, i'll let you know how it turns out this evening.

Maybe i'll take some pictures and do a little how to on here.