No matter what you drive, be it a motorcycle, a scooter, a car or anything else, you need to know the importance of oil for your vehicle. The engine oil resembles blood for the body: it undergoes all the components of the engine to lubricate it and also ensure its functioning the way it should be.
With all that It is being said, we decided it was important to do a write up on the basics of changing your own motorcycle oil. Is extremely difficult? What should we think about? This post is going to cover just about everything you need to know about changing your own oil on your bike.
This post is going to tell you the following:
On a 4T motorcycle (currently, most motorcycles are), engine oil is far more essential. The reason for this is that you have to regulate your oil more. Being aware of your motorcycles oil usage is the first step in proper motorcycle maintenance.
How To Check Motorcycle Oil Levels
If you have a reasonably new bike, there is a peephole in the engine to see how much oil is in the engine. I remind you that in order to properly see the level of the oil you will need to stand up your bike. If it's tilted on its stand, you won't be able to get a proper reading. Some older motorcycles allow you to use dipsticks to check oil levels. In general, it's a good idea to read the manual for your specific bike so you know what you're looking at.
How Do You Know When To Change Your Oil?
This is another great reason to keep your motorcycle manual handy. Generally speaking, every 10,000 KM is a good time to start thinking about an oil change. There are many factors that go into this, such as how you ride and how often you ride so be sure to check in with your user manual for specifics on your bike.
Which Type of Motorcycle Oil Is Best For Your Bike?
When you do a quick search online, you're going to find that there are a ton of options for the types and brands of oil you can put in your bike. When it comes to oil, the number on the left indicates the thickness of the oil while cold, and the one on the right while hot. Depending on where you live, the type of oil you need may differ so be sure to check to specifics of your bike and your region before selecting an oil.
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5 Steps For A Motorcycle Oil Change
Before you start the process of changing your oil, let your bike run for a few minutes. You don't want the engine to be too hot, but changing your oil on a cold engine can be more difficult and less effective. After you get your bike warmed up, you're ready to start.
1. Remove the screw from the crankcase.
Depending on the bike, it will have a rubber O-ring or a copper washer. If you have a washer it is far better to change it each time you change the oil. This will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but we do this because we don't want to lose any oil after replacing it.
2. Put down an oil pan.
Don't get lazy with this, you don't want to dispose of your oil improperly. Check with your local regulations to see where and when to properly get rid of your used oil.
Once the oil starts to come out, we can focus on the filter next.
3. Change your filter.
For this, it is important to take a look at the motorcycle maintenance book if you're unclear about where your motorcycle filter is located. Once you find the filter, l use the key compatible with your motorcycle model, which you will find more information in the user manual to loosen it. Each model has its own. To find the one for your model, you should turn to the manufacturer. Once loosened, the filter should pop right off. Replace your old filter with the new one and make sure it is securely in place.
Follow the instructions to place it correctly. It is advisable to install it with oil to save the engine turning without oil pressure.
How often do we change the oil filter?
It is advisable to do it every two oil changes.
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4. Add new oil.
The amount of oil your motorcycle takes changes depending on the type of bike, and the specific make/model. The amount of oil in a motocross motorcycle is not the same as in a touring, for example. For this reason, you're going to want to check with the specifications of your specific motorcycle.
5. Recheck your oil level.
Once you've added your oil, let it idle for around 5 minutes. Once the new oil has circulated and the low oil light has turned off, turn off the engine and get the motorcycle on a level surface to check the oil level, adding more if needed.
Conclusion
You already see that changing your motorcycle oil is not an extremely complicated task but you have to keep several things in mind. As always, we hope we have been of help. If you have any questions, write us in the comments section.
