POCONO BIKER NEWS / BIKER TECH
A CLEAN OIL CHANGE
To do a clean oil and filter change you will need only a few tools:
A flat-blade screwdriver
An oil filter wrench
A 4" x 9" piece of non-corrugated cardboard
A 3 or 4 quart drain pan
And a small empty brake fluid bottle with a 1 1/2 inch circle cut in the bottom.
First place the drain pan under the oil drain hose. Have the precut brake fluid bottle ready to use as a funnel. Then loosen the hose clamp on the end of the drain hose. slide the clamp back about an inch and retighten it enough that it doesn't move. The clamp will act as a holder to keep the funnel from sliding off the hose while draining. Hold the funnel (fluid bottle) in one hand pointed to the pan while you pull the hose off its plug. Immediately place the hose into the hole in the funnel. hook the funnel over the clamp on the hose and let it drain completely into the drain pan. Go take a break for awhile while it drains completely. About 20 minutes later just reinstall the drain hose and replace the clamp to its original location.
Next take that piece of cardboard and roll it into a tube then let it open to form a trough. Shove it under the oil filter far enough that any dripping oil will hit the cardboard. Angle the cardboard trough so oil will run down and away from the bike. Place the drain pan under the trough to catch any oil that runs out then screw the filter off. Let it drip off completely. Lubricate the rubber gasket of the new filter with fresh oil then half fill the new filter with fresh oil and screw it on to manufacturer recommended tightness. (I usually make it as tight as I can by hand then add a half turn with the wrench, but you are advised to follow you manual's advice.) Next FILL YOUR OIL TANK with fresh oil! THIS IS VITAL! After you have filled the oil tank start the bike up in neutral. The oil light should go out in just seconds. IF it stays on for 30 seconds SHUT THE ENGINE OFF! You screwed up somewhere; so back track and correct your error. Once the bike is running for a couple of minutes shut if off and fill the oil tank to the "full mark". Check for leak; it may be necessary to tighten the hose clamp or the filter. If it isn't leaking, the tank is full and the oil light is out you should be good to go. Dispose of drain oil a n oily cardboard and used filter properly, and get out there and ride.
