Change the Oil and the Oil Filter on a Motorcycle in ten steps
Would like to economize some money and learn about your loved machine at the same time ? Attempt changing your own oil.
- Arrange your spot. This is one of the most crucial steps. You do not need to be searching for tools, containers and rags while oil is flowing out of your bike and your hands are too slick to turn a doorknob!
- Place your motorcycle on the lateral stand, center-stand or rear-stand if you’ve one. Place your drain pan just about below the bolt. Think in front of where the oil’s going to shoot out, and look out as it drains. You will most probable have to adapt the position of the drain pan as the old oil slows down. Utilize the suitable tool to remove the bolt. You do not need to strip it! In case it drops in the pan, just clean it up rapidly and do not burn yourself if it is hot!
- Permit the utilized/dirty oil to complete draining as you take off the filter. Cautiously unscrew the filter with a filter wrench or, in a pinch, wrap a leather (or rubber) belt around it lto get it off. Be prudent not to dent or damage the filter, as that could inadvertently permit more or less of the contaminants in the filter to return into the engine. There possibly be some oil left in there that may splash out, so make certain you have got something below there to catch it. If it’s on there actually tight, you’ll be able to punch a screwdriver through its side with a hammer and utilize that to get it loose.
- Install a fresh drain plug crush washer. It could cost as often a dollar, but is affordable insurance. Make certain to dispatch the old crush washer. The new washer will facilitate to save the threads in your oil pan as it will demand less torque to wrench down on the oil drain plug.
- Put the drain bolt back in. Make certain it is clean of dirt and grease prior to placing it back. Recall that it is typically going into cast aluminum, so do not over-tighten it! Refer to your manual or your local shop for torque specifications for your motorcycle. Recall when utilizing a torque wrench that Nm is not equal to Ft-Lbs. If you do not torque in the bolt to specification, only install it snug but do not over-tighten it!
- Prepare the filter by filling it approximately a quarter full of fresh oil. “Swish” it around easy to attempt and get all the filter material down in there wet with oil. So, and this is very crucial, prepare the rubber seal with a dab of oil on your finger. Simply get the whole seal “wet”. This will guarantee that it creates effective contact with the engine, and make it practically simpler to get it off during the next oil change.
- Clear up the filter area on the engine of grease and wipe a finger of fresh oil around the area just to get good clean contact. Cautiously screw on the new filter. Do not force it! It should go quite easily. When it takes additional than about zero effort to turn it, it only necessitates about 3/4 of a turn left. You actually do not want to over-tighten an oil filter. And you should not necessitate more than a clean hand to tighten it. Do not utilize a tool, unless it is connected to a torque wrench and you are tightening it to manufactory specifications!
- If you have not already, move the used oil distant from the area so you do not spill it! Search in your manual for oil capacity and utilize the funnel to add around half a quart under full capacity into the fill hole. Discontinue and control the level. Add or drain oil as needed to be at around the bottom third between Add and Full. You do not need to overfill the oil! It adds undue pressure on the seals in your engine and can lessen its life. Recall that on bikes you’ve to have it straight up and down, not on the side stand, to check the level.
- Clean it up, double check you have returned all the caps and bolts, and you are good to go.
- Finally, certainly control the level once more also the filter, drain bolt, and fill cap tightness after your first ride.

Fram Motorcycle Oil Filter For Kawsasaki