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Oil and Filter Change on an Older Motorcycle
As with any internal combustion engine, the most effective way to ensure long life for your motorcycle engine is to change its oil frequently. Keeping the oil in good condition is critical because it reduces the amount of friction on the engine's moving metal parts, preventing them from overheating. Over time oil breaks down and accumulates particles that will damage engine parts.
Materials:
- Replacement engine oil and oil filter
- Socket wrench
- Needle-nose pliers
- Catch basin
- Rags or paper towels
Procedure :
- Locate the drain plug and the filler cap on the oil tank. On a warm (but not hot) engine, remove the filler cap to allow the pressure to equalize and the oil to settle toward the bottom.
- Position a catch basin directly beneath the drain plug to catch the spent oil as it drains out.
Note : Cut a piece of cardboard, then fold and position it to channel the oil into the catch basin as it drains out. This will help reduce mess.
- With the cardboard channel in place, use a socket wrench or offset box-end wrench to remove the drain plug from the bottom of the oil tank, and allow the old oil to drain out into the pan.
- Once all of the old oil has drained from the tank, replace the drain plug.
- The oil filter on many older motorcycles is accessible from beneath the seat. Remove any bolts or other fasteners holding the seat in place and carefully lift it off.
- The oil filter is housed in a removable filter-canister. Remove the lid from the filter housing, being careful not to lose the rubber gasket that's located beneath the lid. Once the lid is off, carefully remove the oil-filter canister.
- Remove the retaining clip and cap that holds the filter securely inside the canister, and carefully lift out the old filter. Removing the clip may require the use of needle-nose pliers. Use caution as you remove the retaining clip since some filters are spring-loaded; the cap may pop off abruptly.
- Replace the old oil filter with a new one, and reverse the steps to reinstall the filter and canister.
- With the drain-plug in place, fill the oil tank with the amount of oil specified in your motorcycle's service manual. (The model used in our demonstration required four quarts of oil.) Once you've added the fresh oil, replace the filler cap.
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