Hi guys...I am looking for guidance on the subject of chaning my oil...

I called one service shop that quoted me at $23.00 for labor and $2 - $5 per quart.

How does that pricing sound? I live in Florida, so what kind of oil should I get?

Do you think it's easy to do it myself? Should I try it? Any instructions / picture tutorials avalible? I am a complete newbie when it comes to motorcycles. This is my first one, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Changing the oil is a very simple procedure.
But, 23.00 is a very good price when all things are considered; such as most dealers want to charge you a couple of hundred dollars for the 1st service when all they do is change your oil (and maybe the filter!).
I change the oil in ALL my bikes, cars and trucks and have been doing so since I was 16, and that my friend is a long, long time ago.

Al_ironman wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:08:



May one ask, how long?

Greetz
Kropatchek 8)

I've done it twice.  The first time I chewed up the O Ring.  The second time I put the filter in backwards.  I'm thinking I'll get it right the next time.

You might want to get an extra O Ring just in case.  I think they are around 2 or 3 dollars.

It felt like a good accomplishment to do it myself.  I'm not really mechanical.

let someone else, other than max touch thumper, no way.  some people get the drain plugs mixed up, it's the one on the left hand side.  after draining oil run a magnet through it to see if any metal shavings appear.  then replace plug with magnetic plug to capture any.

i use delco 400 in all my machines, and farm equipment.

nothing like the feeling of "i did it myself".

do the oil change, it will lead you to other maintance that you do yourself..

enjoy
sluggo

Just a few things...

1) The drain plug may be a 15mm or a 17mm; it varies.  Don't worry if it's not what the manual says.  Just make sure it's in the right place.  If the oil flows freely when you pull it, it's the right one.  If you just get a tiny bit of oil, it's the wrong one.  As Sluggo said, it's the one on the left side.

2) After you drain the majority of your oil, rock the bike gently side-to-side to help clear as much of the oil as possible from the filter compartment before you remove the cover plate.  Also, put a couple of rags over your exhaust before you remove the plate and be ready to contain a small amount of spillage.

3) Go ahead and get the o-ring for the filter change but don't replace it unless it looks like it needs it.  Otherwise, reuse the existing o-ring and keep the spare for whenever it's needed.

Take your time, start to learn your machine.  As mentioned above, it'll likely lead to more maintenance... but that's part of the fun of the machine in my opinion.

911radioman wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:08:

Well, there ya go!

Oh, and don't forget to look at the Oil Change Time post in the Tech Ref forum.  Greg did a great job documenting it.  That's his wife actually doing the job.

If you do end up paying for someone to change the oil in your bike Check The Oil Level Before You Ride Off Into The Sunset. Heard way too many horror stories about bikes having the oil drained out but not refilled at the dealership during service.