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Okay, I know oil changes are very easy to do to your bike. However, my first time around, after never having even seen an oil change before on both a car or a bike, I ran into a couple hiccups.
I just wanted to share some potentially useful tips. If I help even one fellow rider with this, I will be satisfied.
1) If you care about getting oil stains on the ground, then really layer up the cardboard/newspaper. Even if it's a few drops, if given enough time (10 - 30 minutes) the oil will permeate through the cardboard/newspaper and stain your concrete/asphalt. An alternative would be to use a garbage bag, but garbage bags have no potential for absorption, so the oil tends to run off of the plastic if your ground surface isn't completely level and stain once it runs off of the side. If you want to be very cautious, then perhaps consider a garbage bag as the bottom layer, then cardboard/newspaper on top.
2) Be careful where you step, the first time around I accidentally stepped in a few droplets of oil, and when I was walking around my garage grabbing tools I seemed to have spread little oil spots around.
The first time I did an oil change ended up being quite messy for some ignorance of my own. The second time, I managed to only get a few drops on the newspaper.
3) Make sure that the container you use to catch your old oil is capable of holding up to 3 Liters of oil. The extra .6L gives you a little bit of a cushion for when you're moving this container around to lessen your chance of spillage. It's also helpful to ensure that the oil catch container is sufficiently ridged. The first time around for me, I used a really flimsy container that was too small and that gave me a lot of issues when it came to containing the mess. Lesson learned, and I didn't make the same mistake the second time around.
4) Use a funnel for filling the oil, as it prevents the wasting of new oil from spills.
5) An oil filter wrench may be necessary to remove the oil filter during the first oil change. It helps to be cautious and try not to get oily hands all over the old filter as it will make it very slippery and the removal of it very difficult unless you have the ratcheting socket for the end of it which would void this issue.
6) Don't forget the oil drain plug's crush washer. They are cheap, come in aluminum and copper to my knowledge, and are absolutely necessary to avoid oil leaks. The size needed is M12.
7) The oil drain bolt needs to be torqued to 14.5ft lbs, or 174 in lbs. Be careful and don't get these confused or else you may have a costly repair on your hands. Torque wrenches come in either in lbs or ft lbs and just be diligent not to get them confused.
8) When removing oil filter about 200 mL of oil will pour out. Be ready with your oil catch pan. Also, if you don't want to get your headers covered in oil (which ultimately isn't a big deal), I use a slice of tin foil strategically placed over the headers and under the oil filter to redirect the oil cleanly into my oil catch pan.
9) Make sure to lubricate the o ring of the new filter with new or old engine oil.
10) Be diligent and ensure you are not over filling or under filling your bike. Check oil level on a level surface, while holding the bike vertically, and ensure it is filled between the lines on the oil sight glass.
11) In the following days keep checking for leaks, and your oil level to ensure everything is kosher. Worst case would be that you were leaking, and ended up running the engine without any oil in it, potentially totaling your new bike.
I hope someone found some use in this. Be proud of yourselves because this oil change costs $115 with tax and parts included from my local dealer. Ride safely!
Eric
I just wanted to share some potentially useful tips. If I help even one fellow rider with this, I will be satisfied.
1) If you care about getting oil stains on the ground, then really layer up the cardboard/newspaper. Even if it's a few drops, if given enough time (10 - 30 minutes) the oil will permeate through the cardboard/newspaper and stain your concrete/asphalt. An alternative would be to use a garbage bag, but garbage bags have no potential for absorption, so the oil tends to run off of the plastic if your ground surface isn't completely level and stain once it runs off of the side. If you want to be very cautious, then perhaps consider a garbage bag as the bottom layer, then cardboard/newspaper on top.
2) Be careful where you step, the first time around I accidentally stepped in a few droplets of oil, and when I was walking around my garage grabbing tools I seemed to have spread little oil spots around.
The first time I did an oil change ended up being quite messy for some ignorance of my own. The second time, I managed to only get a few drops on the newspaper.
3) Make sure that the container you use to catch your old oil is capable of holding up to 3 Liters of oil. The extra .6L gives you a little bit of a cushion for when you're moving this container around to lessen your chance of spillage. It's also helpful to ensure that the oil catch container is sufficiently ridged. The first time around for me, I used a really flimsy container that was too small and that gave me a lot of issues when it came to containing the mess. Lesson learned, and I didn't make the same mistake the second time around.
4) Use a funnel for filling the oil, as it prevents the wasting of new oil from spills.
5) An oil filter wrench may be necessary to remove the oil filter during the first oil change. It helps to be cautious and try not to get oily hands all over the old filter as it will make it very slippery and the removal of it very difficult unless you have the ratcheting socket for the end of it which would void this issue.
6) Don't forget the oil drain plug's crush washer. They are cheap, come in aluminum and copper to my knowledge, and are absolutely necessary to avoid oil leaks. The size needed is M12.
7) The oil drain bolt needs to be torqued to 14.5ft lbs, or 174 in lbs. Be careful and don't get these confused or else you may have a costly repair on your hands. Torque wrenches come in either in lbs or ft lbs and just be diligent not to get them confused.
8) When removing oil filter about 200 mL of oil will pour out. Be ready with your oil catch pan. Also, if you don't want to get your headers covered in oil (which ultimately isn't a big deal), I use a slice of tin foil strategically placed over the headers and under the oil filter to redirect the oil cleanly into my oil catch pan.
9) Make sure to lubricate the o ring of the new filter with new or old engine oil.
10) Be diligent and ensure you are not over filling or under filling your bike. Check oil level on a level surface, while holding the bike vertically, and ensure it is filled between the lines on the oil sight glass.
11) In the following days keep checking for leaks, and your oil level to ensure everything is kosher. Worst case would be that you were leaking, and ended up running the engine without any oil in it, potentially totaling your new bike.
I hope someone found some use in this. Be proud of yourselves because this oil change costs $115 with tax and parts included from my local dealer. Ride safely!
Eric
