How to change four stroke motorcycle engine oil.

Many four-stroke motorcycle engines use the motorcycle engine oil to lubricate the motorcycle transmission as well. Most of these motorcycles have one drain plug located centrally under the motorcycle engine / transmission case. This makes for convenient fluid changes.

Motorcycle oil filters on almost all modern motorcycles are either of the automotive looking spin on type or are of the disposable filter cartridge type.

The more motorcycle bodywork you have on your motorcycle the more of chance that you may have to remove some of it to change the motorcycle oil. But don’t’ let appearances fool you. If you get an opportunity look at the VFR 750 or a CBR 600 while it is parked next to a Katana or a Ninja. The bodywork on all of these motorcycles hides the spin on motorcycle filter yet the service manuals for the Hondas usually suggest that the change can be done without removing the bodywork.

While the motorcycle motor is cold check to see if you will have to remove part of the motorcycle fairing in order to drain your motorcycle engine oil. To do this crouch next to the motorcycle then locate your drain plug and motorcycle oil filter. The drain plug is usually located on the bottom of the motorcycle engine case but the motorcycle oil filter location varies. Most spin on style motorcycle filters are mounted to the front of the engine blocks on modern motorcycle. we say most because some are mounted on the side of the motorcycle engine case and a few are on the lower rear of the motorcycle engine. Cartridge type motorcycle filters are usually installed under a removable cover on the side of the motorcycle engine case of the bottom of the oil pan.

Here is the good news most motorcycle are setup so that you can pull the drain plug without touching the motorcycle fairing even if you should remove the bodywork to get to the motorcycle filter. This means that you can go for a motorcycle ride to warm the oil come back pull the drain plug and let the oil drain while you remove the bodywork. There is an added advantage that the exhaust pipes should cool down by the time your hands need to be close to them.

If you really don’t want to take the motorcycle bodywork off check to see if access is possible with it installed. If there is room in the bodywork for the oil to drain from the filter then the motorcycle manufacturer intended for you to do it without removing the motorcycle fairing. But even if there is no drain area for the filter you can usually put a few rags or a small oil bottle in the position under the filter to catch the oil which will escape as it is loosened.

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

Process to change your four-stroke motorcycle oil:

1. Warm the motorcycle engine to normal temperature then park the motorcycle

2. Position the drain pan under the drain plug

3. Loosen or completely remove the dipstick and / or oil filler cap as this will allow the oil to drain more quickly

4. On some dual-sport and dirt motorcycle models you may have to remove the engine skid plate for access to the drain plug

5. Loosen the drain plug using a wrench or a ratchet and socket.

6. Once the plug is loosened turn it out by hand keeping inward pressure on the plug to keep motorcycle 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 oil.

7. Allow the motorcycle engine oil to drain completely. In the meantime clean the drain plug and get a new crush washer.

8. While the motorcycle engine oil is draining remove any bodywork that is necessary to access the motorcycle filter

9. Install and tighten the drain plug. Be sure to snug the drain plug but don not over tighten it

10. Move the drain plan below the filter or filter housing.

11. If equipped with spin on type motorcycle oil filter use a filter wrench to loosen and remove the oil filter. On motorcycle models where the filter is installed above the exhaust pipe or fairing you should use a few paper towels or rags to catch the excel lil which will drain from the filter as it is removed.

12. Lubricate the seal on the lip of the new spin on filter and install it by hand. Once the motorcycle filter is lightly seated tighten it an additional ½ turn

13. On motorcycle models that use cartridte type filters located the cover housing and loosen the retaining clip before attempting to withdraw the motorcycle filter element.

14. Install the new element then install the housing cover making sure to properly position any seal gaskets or O rings. Secure cover-housing bolts.

15. Properly refill the motorcycle engine using the proper amount of motorcycle oil.

16. If you do not have the motorcycle engine oil capacity specification add the first bottle of oil then add the rest slowly checking the level often to prevent overfilling

17. Start the motorcycle watching the 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 oil level then restart the motorcycle watching the light again.

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

19. Secure any motorcycle bodywork that was removed or loosened for access.

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