Warning: Be careful when draining the oil, as the exhaust pipes, the engine, and the oil itself can cause severe burns.
1. Consistent routine oil and filter changes are the single most important maintenance procedure you can perform on a motorcycle. The oil not only lubricates the internal parts of the engine, transmission and clutch, but it also acts as a coolant, a cleaner, a sealant, and a protectant. Because of these demands, the oil takes a terrific amount of abuse and should be replaced often with new oil of the recommended grade and type. Saving a little money on the difference in cost between a good oil and a cheap oil won't pay off if the engine is damaged. The oil filter should be changed with every oil change.
2. Before changing the oil. warm up the engine so the oil will drain easily. Make sure the bike is on level ground. On models equipped with a centrestand, put the motorcycle on its sidestand instead. The oil drain plug Is on the left-hand side of the engine so the angle created by using the sidestand will help the oil to dram. Remove the belly pan (see Chapter 8).
3. Position a clean drain tray below the engine. Unscrew the oil filler cap from the clutch cover to vent the crankcase and to act as a reminder that there is no oil in the engine (see illustration).
13.3. Unscrew the oil filler cap to act as a vent...
4. Unscrew the oil drain plug from the lefthand side of the engine and allow the oil to flow into the drain tray (see illustrations). Check the condition of the sealing washer on the drain plug and replace it with a new one if it is damaged or worn - it is advisable to use a new one whatever the condition of the old one.
13.4a ...then unscrew the oil drain plug (arrowed)...
13.4b ...and allow the oil to completely drain
5. When the oil has completely drained, fit the plug to the sump, using a new sealing washer if necessary, and tighten it to the torque setting specified at the beginning of the Chapter (see illustration). Avoid over-tightening, as it is quite easy to damage the threads In the sump.
13.5. Install the drain plug, using a new sealing washer if necessary, and tighten it to the specified torque setting
6. Now place the drain tray below the oil filter, located on the back of the engine. Unscrew the oil filter using a filter socket (one can be obtained as a kit with the new filter from Honda dealers), a filter removing strap or a chain-wrench, and tip any residual oil into the drain tray (see illustrations).
13.6a. Unscrew the filter using a fitter removing tool - the special socket shown...
13.6b ...with a socket extension is the easiest...
13.6c ...and allow the oil to drain
7. Smear clean engine oil onto the rubber seal on the new filter and thread it onto the engine (see illustrations). Tighten It to the specified torque setting using the filter socket if available (see illustrations 13.6a and b), or tighten the filter as tight as possible by hand, or by the number of turns specified on the filter itself or its packaging.
13.7a. Smear clean oil onto the seal...
13.7b ...then install the filter and tighten it as described
Note: Do not use a strap or chain filter removing tool to tighten the filter as you will damage it.
8. Refill the engine to the proper level using the recommended type and amount of oil (see Daily (pre-ride) checks). Install the filler cap (see illustration 13.3). Start the engine and let it run for two or three minutes (make sure that the oil pressure light extinguishes after a few seconds). Shut it off, wait a few minutes, then check the oil level (see Daily (pre-ride) checks). If necessary, add more oil to bring the level to the upper mark on the dipstick. Check around the drain plug and the oil filter for leaks. A leak around the drain plug probably means a new washer is needed. A leak around the filter probably means it is not tight enough. Install the belly pan (see Chapter 8).
Saving a little money on the difference between good and cheap oils won't pay off if the engine is damaged as a result.
9. The old oil drained from the engine cannot be re-used and should be disposed of properly. Check with your local refuse disposal company, disposal facility or environmental agency to see whether they will accept the used oil for recycling. Don't pour used oil into drains or onto the ground.
Check the old oil carefully - if it is very metallic coloured, then the engine is experiencing wear from break-in (new engine) or from insufficient lubrication. If there are flakes or chips of metal in the oil, then something is drastically wrong internally and the engine will have to be disassembled for inspection and repair. If there are pieces of fibre-like material in the oil, the clutch is experiencing excessive wear and should be checked.