How to change BMW motorcycle oil

BMW motorcycles come in 3 styles, boxers, bricks and one-lungers. Most BMW motorcycles use a crankcase sump motor, so the oil is drained using a plug in the bottom of the motorcycle engine. The motorcycle engine oil is just for the motorcycle engine. Depending on the motorcycle model either a spin on oil filter or a cartridge filter.

If you are servicing an airhead type of BMW motorcycle make sure to ask your dealer for the complete motorcycle oil change kit and not just a motorcycle filter. The motorcycle kit comes with everything that you will conceivably need. The motorcycle kit includes new gaskets, seals and new crush washer. Some airheads have been fitted with an aftermarket spin on filters so check before purchasing the motorcycle kit.

If you are changing the motorcycle oil on an oil head, you are going to need a cap type oil filter wrench.

Before we discuss the process it's worth mentioning that you can pick up any parts you need at any of the following websites: JCWhitney.com , J&P Cycles , Amazon.com, or eBay.com

Here is the process for changing the motorcycle oil in a BMW motorcycle:

1. Remove any motorcycle bodywork for easy access

2. Warm the motorcycle engine to normal temperature, then park the motorcycle.

3. Position a drain pan under the drain plug

4. Loosen or completely remove the dipstick and / or oil filler cap, as this will allow the oil to drain faster

5. Loosen the drain plug using a wrench or a ratchet and socket. Once the plug is loosened, turn it out by hand, keeping inward pressure on the plug to keep oil from escaping past the threads until you are ready to fully withdraw it. When the plug is free, quickly pull the plug, and your hand, out of the way of the hot motorcycle oil.

6. Allow the motorcycle engine oil to drain completely. In the mean time clean the drain plug and get a new crush washer

7. Install and tighten the drain plug. Be sure to snug the drain plug, but do not over tighten or strip it

8. On airheads type BMW motorcycle proceed as follows:

• If equipped with factory crash bars check to see if there is sufficient access to the triangular cover on the lower right side of the right side crash bar for better access.

• Move the drain pan under the triangular filter housing cover on the lower, right, front side of the motorcycle engine

• Loosen and remove the 3 bolts retaining the filter housing cover.

• Carefully pull the cover from the motorcycle engine, noting the position of the gasket, seal and O-ring as the cover is removed.

• Remove the motorcycle filter cartridge from the housing making sure that the round seal on the motorcycle engine side of the filter is removed with the filter element. If not get a small flashlight and look into the housing, you should see the thick, round seal still stuck on the nipple at the back of the housing. Use a pair of long needle nose pliers or a strong pair of mechanical fingers to fish the seal out

• Carefully install the new motorcycle filter cartridge, making sure the inner seal is in place on the filter and that it properly seats on the nipple at the back of the housing

• Install the filter cover using the new O-ring seal and gasket from the motorcycle filter kit

• If you have a factory installed motorcycle oil cooler you may need to take special steps to drain it. Check you owner’s manual. BMW supplied a special bolt in the tool motorcycle kits, which came with these motorcycles. The bolt must be exactly .906 in. long and it is installed during the motorcycle oil change to open the thermostatic valve.

9. On motorcycle models except for airheads use a filter wrench to loosen and remove the motorcycle oil filter. On K-models where the motorcycle filter is installed above a motorcycle exhaust pipe or motorcycle fairing you should use a few paper towels or rags to catch the excess motorcycle oil, which will drain from the motorcycle filter as it is removed. Lubricate the seal on the lip of the new spin on the motorcycle filter and install it by hand. Once the motorcycle filter is lightly seated tighten it an additional ½ turn to assure it is fully seated.

10. Properly refill the motorcycle engine using the proper amount of motorcycle oil. If you do not have the motorcycle engine oil capacity specification add the first bottle of motorcycle oil then add the rest slowly checking the level often to prevent overfilling.

11. Start the motorcycle watching the motorcycle oil pressure light. It should go out within a second or so of starting the motorcycle. If it does not, stop the motorcycle immediately and double check the motorcycle oil level then restart the motorcycle watching the light again.

12. Once the motorcycle has been warmed double check the motorcycle oil level and make sure there is no seepage from the motorcycle filter or drain plug

13. Secure any motorcycle bodywork back onto the motorcycle.

Thats' it all done!!!

You can pick up any parts you need to do this job at any of the following websites: JCWhitney.com , J&P Cycles , Amazon.com, or eBay.com