| Author | Message | ||
     Gatorxb |
Ok, so I'm tired of spending a fortune just to get my my oil changed at the dealer. I've never changed the oil of any vehicle myself so I had a couple of questions. I have the owners manual and plan on following those steps, but I was wondering what do you drain the oil in and what do you do with oil once its drained? Also if there are any pointers and tips you want to through my way that would be great. Like whats the best kind of oil and filter.... Well sorry for the dumb question and thanks in advance. _Drive safe! | ||
| Nillaice |
REALLY? i guess we all gotta start sometime i dump my oil at the auto-zone i buy the oil and filter from. they can pull up the oil filter # in the computer. i run synthetic 20/50W in the crank, and HD+ syn3 in the primary to avoid any stator ring issues. get the service manual and DIY every time | ||
| Ducbsa |
Get a funnel to have good filler access past the passenger footpeg bracket. Rig a funnel to keep the draining oil from dripping on the muffler. I think I also put aluminum foil over the muffler to protect against spills. Can't remember if it was a hassle with the hot muffler, though. I use a round drain pan, then pour it into a 5 gal bucket with lid to take for disposal. Pans like this http://pitposse.stores.yahoo.net/oildrainpan6qt.html are handy. Probably your auto parts store has a similar one. (Message edited by ducbsa on February 19, 2009) | ||
| Saratoga |
DO NOT torque the drain bolt in the swingarm to the ~30 ft/lb that the owner's manual says unless you have the desire to replace the swingarm. Just snug with a wrench is all it takes. on edit: Read here. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/3842/305911.html?1234928165 (Message edited by saratoga on February 19, 2009) | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Ah.......... Takes me back to the first time I changed the oil on a Buell, some six years ago. Took all day. Grueling day it was too.  Since then, I have refined my technique a little. Here is what I learned. 1. Although there is nothing shameful about removing the oil filter by just jamming a screw driver through it red neck style, proper form is a correctly fitting oil filter cup that fits on the bottom of the filter and is turned with a normal ratchet wrench and extension. Handled adroitly, the later technique may result in less oil spilled on the muffler, and then on the ground. 2, Many bad webbers, myself included used Mobil 1 15w50 oil in the crankcase, and Harley Formula+ in the primary to prevent corrosion of the Stator. 3. I purchase the Mobil 1, and the oil filter, Super Tech #4967 at Walmart, because I am cheap. The oil filter is made by Champion, the OEM for Buell, and cost two bucks. Eight bucks at HD. 4. I drain the oil into a round pan with a pouring lip, and then pour the oil into a Tide bottle. You could then go to the dump, pour the oil in to the oil recycling tank, and recycle the plastic bottle. I don't do that. I just pour the used oil into my girlfriends old Honda Accord, which burns quite a bit of it. True oil recycling, am I right? If you don't wash your clothes too often, and change your oil at proper intervals, ( say every 3k miles or so, or when you change your tires), you should never run out of Tide bottles, savy? Any other questions? | ||
| Arcticktm |
Virtually any big chain auto parts store will take your used oil for collection. Follow the service manual (except for the torque spec on the drain bolts, as mentioned before). Don't think you need to IMMEDIATELY change the oil after hot shutdown, and you will save yourself some burns. The oil will stay warm for a while. Don't forget you have a different drain for the engine oil and the transmission oil! Make sure you know which is which. That might sound pretty silly, but you did say you had not done this before, and most conventional (Jap) bikes only have 1 drain for all the oil. WalMart and auto parts stores sell cheap oil collection tubs where they stock the oil, if you do not already have something else. Make sure you have some sort of oil filter wrench to undo the old filter, unless you decide to commit to using the old stick-it-with-a-screwdriver method. Do NOT use any tool to tighten the oil filter. Follow the directions on the filter/manual, even if you think it is not tight enough. Otherwise, you will regret it when you try to remove the filter next time. Make sure the o-rings on the drain plugs are still in good shape. Smart idea to have a couple new ones on hand just in case. They are less than $1. Many of us do not fill our oil beyond the middle mark on the dipstick, to avoid excessive oil consumption through the breather. It is all pretty simple, but take your time the first go around. | ||
| Skinstains |
I just park my bike over the storm drain and remove the drain plugs and filter. I then flip the filter upside down and let it drain out into the same catch basin. Boom ! No muss no fuss. Put the drain plugs back in and fill both holes with Amsoil 20/50. One quart in the primary, two and a half in the swingarm (some of the swingarm oil is poured into the new oil filter before I screw it on) and you're done. | ||
| Ulynut |
New Jersians. | ||
| Ducbsa |
I worked with a guy who really did that with his car, but had stopped by '76 or so. | ||
| Lighting |
Don't forget, BEFORE installing the replacement filter you should fill it fresh oil, it may take a couple refills because the inside components will need to absorb the new oil. You do this to prevent starving your engine from oil while waiting for the filter to get saturated. | ||
| Rotzaruck |
A not so technical tip: Put the plug in BEFORE you put the oil in. It's so depressing when you realize you are standing in that high priced oil. I start rushing when I get so close to "READY TO RIDE". Then: Go to the "Thumper" section and try to find Rainman's story about changing his oil for the first time. You won't learn anything, but you'll be highly entertained. | ||
| Firebolt32 |
I just park my bike over the storm drain and remove the drain plugs and filter. No wonder the fish taste like sh!t in Jersey... | ||
| Brumbear |
+1 on Stains technic but I am careful to flip the old oil filter into my neighbors garbage can as someone might want to know where the oil came from | ||
| Skinstains |
That's awesome Brumrear. | ||
| Boney95 |
What do you guys do with the old filter? | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Doesn't everyone just simply: 1. disassemble the oil filter 2. separate out the paper, rubber, steel and aluminum, ( a magnet is useful here) 3. pour off the residual petroleum lubrificant 4. then recycle the separated materials into their respective recycle bins? Everyone? It's good to be good to the planet, am I right, my brothers? | ||
| Husky |
Yes it is good! Actually, here in the great state of California, Pasadena provides a special oil recycling container for free. Just drop in the used oil filter and pour in the used oil. Place it on the curb on trash pickup day and they take it along with your other goodies, leaving you a clean one for your next drop. Husky | ||
| Brumbear |
sissies | ||
| Straitpipes |
I thought re-cycling was owning a late 70s amf harley. When you pull the drain plug leave the dipstick in place it will slow the rate of spillage.then take the dipstick out to get the oil really flowing.dont forget to put the drainplug back in its home before filling. I use ammsoil 20/50 full syn engine and primary. | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
dont forget to flush your system with water like that mustang dude!!!  DO NOT DO THIS ! ! ! (Message edited by ochoa0042 on February 21, 2009) | ||
| Skinstains |
I usually take a ride down to the beautifull Jersey Shore, wind up, and toss that puppy as far as I can into the drink. If I don't have time for the ride I just toss it in the river here in town knowing it will eventually find it's way to my beloved Atlantic. But that's just me I can't speak for anyone else. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Thanks ever so much for that, Skins. I am sure that many brothers, especially those who are unfamiliar with New Jersey solid waste management procedures, will appreciate your several enlightening and original posts.  On the other hand, a number of environmentally sensitive brothers have contacted me confidentially, seeking private instruction on the proper technique for a politically correct and effective means of oil filter disassembly. The Buell Shop manual appears to be silent on this important subject, (and kick stand installation for that matter), so I would like to take this opportunity to share my experience, strength and hope on appropriate methods in this forum. Actually, there are several effective modalities, allowing brothers, (and sisters), of different skill levels, with different life experiences and tool sets to achieve the same worthy goal. Some of the recommended tools are shown in the cell phone photo above. From left to right: 1. Brothers in the construction trades will find the 3 3/8" Mikita portable circular saw to be very effective. 2. Those in food service, and bicycle riders, may be more comfortable using the Campagnolo "Monstro" corkscrew, with the optional oil filter attachment, (not shown). 3. Artists and other plain living people will probably be more attracted to the simple wooden mallet and chisel approach. This has the advantage of zero non-renewable resource use, and keeps the old chisel oiled, right? Wear gloves. This technique can leave nasty sharp edges. 4. If I may take the liberty of speaking for perhaps the majority of my brothers, may I suggest just letting the little lady handle the chore with a conventional large size can opener? This approach has several advantages. In addition to the obvious non-use of non-renewables, it also oils the can opener. Lets face it, when was the last time your lubricated this device? Finally, it is a easy way to get your significant other involved in your motor hobby, and if properly encouraged, she may be induced to handle the entire oil change the next time, giving her a new outlet to express her concert for the planet. Savy? just my .02¢. I am sure other, more imaginative Bad Webbers will have their own approach. Anyone? | ||
| Itileman |
I live in Montana. By the time I ride to Jersey to throw the old filter into the ocean and get back home again, I need to change the oil. This makes no sense. Will the Pacific Ocean take filters? It's a thousand miles closer. Please advise. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Excellent question, Tileman. Simply put, the Pacific does NOT take oil filters, or any other kind of filters for that matter. California environmentalist wackos, old boy. Need I say more? I do hope you will take no offense if I mention that you have not taken into account the tire wear issue when considering the problem of Atlantic disposal, and tires present their own environmental problems, am I right? Frankly, oil filter disassembly and recycling was just made for brothers in your geographical situation. Savy? | ||
| Brumbear |
I love the pretty rainbow the water gets when ya heave a nice old fram PH36 hydraulic filter in the Raritan not only is it pretty but it kills those annoying geese | ||
| Itileman |
G_jon - no offense taken. I do, in the course of my business, own the saw posted. I also have two autographed posters of Ms Makita's. Under all the XXX's & 000's, there is some fine print that specifically forbids using this fine tool for that purpose. I do, however, also own a Delta chop saw (a little overkill maybe) and will employ that to start the recycling process. OBTW, tires burn very well and give off heat in the process so that's a non-issue. | ||
| Sloppy |
Oil in storm water -- not funny. That's just f'd up. Be responsible and call your local city to see what their policy is. Many places PAY YOU to dump their oil as part of a program to encourage recycling. Some garbage companies pick up your used oil when you dump your trash. Dude, it's so easy you'd have to be an idiot to not recycle oil. Dumping oil on the ground is for lazy wussies... probably the same group of idiots who voted for the federal stimulus package! | ||
| Mnrider |
Then take your old tires and throw those in the lake as they make good structure for fishing. But seriously do make sure you know which is the trans and which is the oil drain,I've seen it happen. | ||
| Brumbear |
I throw my trash in the sewer as well if it plugs the drain I just whip a flare in it and presto then I call the fire dept cause ours hasn't lost a foundation yet and tell them my neighbors kid was playing with matches near the sewer but shhhsshshshs don't say nuttin folly | ||
| Doz |
Used to see used oil sprayed on dirt roads in upstate N.Y. to keep the dust down...would love to get a waste oil furnace for the house, that's my idea of recycling. |
