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Changing the oil and oil filter
Changing
the oil and oil filter is not as difficult as it sounds - here
is a quick how to guide:
Firstly
you should make sure you have purchased the right oil filter and
enough of the correct oil to do the job and not forgetting the
drain plug washer. Your bike's handbook or local dealer will be
able to tell you what oil and how much is required, although the
amount of oil needed is normally stamped on the right hand casing
of the engine just by the oil filler cap.
Also make sure you have the correct tools for the job, as some
oil filters are in very tricky places and only the correct type
of oil filter wrench will fit in to release them.
Before you start undoing anything you should start the
bike and let it run for about ten minutes to get all of the oil
warm and flowing around the engine.
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On most modern bikes nowadays you have to remove the lower fairings
to get access to the oil filter when it is due to be changed.
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If
you have a centre stand on your bike then put it up on that,
if not then the side stand will suffice.
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You will then need a bowl; big enough to hold the amount of
oil you are going to be putting back in the bike and a bit more,
as you don’t want it overflowing before all the oil is
drained out of the bike.
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Look underneath the bottom of the engine to locate the oil drain
plug but don’t open it yet.
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Get your bowl ready by the side of where you are working and
gently undo the drain plug. As soon as you have made a quarter
turn on the drain plug, place the bowl directly underneath it.
Then continue to unscrew it slowly being careful not to drop
the drain plug into the bowl because 1. the oil will be hot
and 2. you will get covered in oil.
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With the drain plug removed you can now remove the old washer
and refit the new one.
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When all the oil has stopped running out of the drain hole you
can replace the drain plug and tighten to the manufacturers
specification.
Next you have to remove the oil filter.
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Move your bowl under the oil filter, or under where the oil
will drip when you take the oil filter off.
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Get your wrench and locate it on the filter and slowly undo
it. When it is loose you can undo it by hand, if you can access
it. But be careful it may still be hot!
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With the oil filter off you can now replace it with the new
one. Make sure you smear a small amount of oil over the rubber
seal on the new oil filter to ensure a good clean seal. This
must be done up to the manufacturers specification, too loose
and it will leak and too tight and you will break the seal.
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Now to put in the new oil.
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Pour in the correct amount of new oil into your measuring jug
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Open and remove the oil filler cap and insert a funnel into
the hole.
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Slowly pour the oil into the funnel being careful not to spill
any.
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When you have put in all the oil, just wipe the filler cap seal
with a clean rag or tissue to remove any dirt, and then you
can then replace the filler cap.
Before you replace the fairings (if removed), just start the engine
and let it run for a few minutes so you can check to see if there
are any leaks.
If all is well the fairings can be replaced.
Be extra careful when replacing the fairings, not to over tighten
the screws/bolts as you might crack the plastic.
When you have finished you can transfer the old oil, using the
funnel into an old oilcan, which can then be recycled at your
local Waste Disposal Centre.
You are now ready to go back onto the road.
Safe riding.
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