| Author | Message | ||
     Pxl2562 |
So i just did my first oil change at 650 miles. got the oil EVERYWHERE! i've never made such a mess changing the oil on anything before. call me a n00b, but i have a lot of mechanical experience and i've changed the oil on anything from Mclaren F1's to Ford farm tractors and most anything in between. It would have been marginally easier with a mc jack, but the filter cover is very poorly placed, the engine drain inevitably drips on the muffler (with bike on side stand) and the crankcase drain.... i assume because of the vertical height of oil in the sump and the fact the oil was hot, the oil SHOT STRAIGHT out of the drain! and then when it was almost empty, began leaking all down the side of the engine because the drain is directly over the side stand, so you can't get a pan under it. knowing what i know now i wont repeat this mistake, but if you haven't changed the oil on yours yet, be careful and prepare for exxon valdez... also be careful with the o-ring for the filter cover, if you twist it at all, the cover won't seal right. i suggest taping a piece of cardboard/paper/plastic directly below the crankcase drain to guide the wayward trickle into the oil pan, unless anybody has a better suggestion? Also, did anyone else do their first oil change? break in left a disturbing amount of metal dust on the drain plug magnet. no chunks, just more dust than i expected... | ||
| Zac4mac |
Yeah I made a mess all over the garage floor. The oil is a moving target. I just 409d my muffler after. The second change went better. I had a good bit of very fine dust on the magnet. Black, not shiny, when I wiped it across my fingers. Sign of a good break-in, I should have changed oil sooner than 500 miles tho. Z | ||
| Cutty72 |
I did my first at 200 miles. The magnet was completely covered in fine silver dust, I actually thought the plug was solid, not hollow like it is, at first. Best way I found was putting the kickstand IN the drain pan, and pulling the case plug and filter. Put some cardboard over the pipe before pulling the other plug. I also learned (i think) that my stalling problem was caused by too much oil. With the hot check, it was just over the max mark. I drained about 2 oz out, and now no problems. When I refilled, i put in 3 quarts (with filter change) and about 2 oz more, cause I could never get it to show on the dipstick. Now after draining those 2 oz back out, it is just at the "min" mark. SO looks like 3 quarts is proper with a filter change. | ||
| Exnorton |
Just checked mine for the first time and it was way over the over full mark It was 3/4 the way up the stick. I drained what look like a good pint or more and am still at the over full mark. I know it's and American Sport Bike but it doesn't have a small block chevy engine in it. Boy some people's kids. Oh well mine was the first one ordered in Atlanta guess that the price you pay for being first. Good thing come to those who wait... my ass The waiting game is over spring is here Time to see what she can do | ||
| Odinbueller |
Yes, care and Simple Green are recommended with 1125R oil changes  Keep in mind, the first oil change in an 1125R is going to show break-in from engine, clutch and transmission, so the drain plug is going to have more metal on it than an XB. Large chunks should raise caution flags, fine or small particles are normal wear. Chris | ||
| Turnagain |
Did mine Sunday @ 605 miles down range. Knew about the kickstand in the pan bit. Foil around the stand and down both sides of the muffler. Was really surprised by the amount of oil coming out of the right side, plus it pumpin' like someone just cut a jugular vein.  oh yeah, good bit of 'silver dust' on the magnet. Would rather dump oil into a tank rather than into the dipstick hole, but that's the price of progress... | ||
| Two_buells |
I used a swingarm stand and the bike was level, (2x4 under the front wheel) I got all the oil from the two drain plugs into the pan. the oil filter put a little oil on the muffler, very easy clean up. | ||
| Turnagain |
Mike, Stands are in my future. Know of any that would work with both of mine? tx, Steve | ||
| Chadhargis |
Stands were going to be my suggestion. I do oil changes on my Gixxer using stands, but my Ulysses works fine on the sidestand. I've got both Pit Bull front and rear stands as well as Handy front and rear stands. I also have two Baxley Sport Chocks which work great for oil changes. Right tool for the job makes everything better. | ||
| C4bird |
+1 on the tin foil trick. Did this on mine with a little painters tape to keep it in place, nearly no mess to clean up. Agreed, you would think they would have made it a little more user friendly, but it was built from the rider down, must have been the last thing on the list. | ||
| Edmbueller |
So what oils have you all switched to at the first change? | ||
| C4bird |
Screaming Eagle, it's actually cheaper than mobil 1 now. That and Walmart here quit carrying it (Message edited by c4bird on April 17, 2008) | ||
| Slypiranna |
No drama, just an auto size plastic oil pan with the kickstand in the middle... ...then spray clean and wipe the kickstand down with carb cleaner. Other side must hold and tilt manual fashion but still in the same drain pan... ...then wipe down the few drips off the muff...just like in marital life!!!!! LOL...sorry, couldn't help myself with that simularity...I know, TMI. Had to clean up only a few drips on the floor once done...and I won't go any farther with this exercise! Four changes/services down now...er, put to bed. | ||
| Two_buells |
Steve, I bought a Micron Motorcycle Stand from the Sportbike shop (Clinton Cycles) next to FT. Wash H-D/Buell about 12 years ago. I had to pull it (bend it) to fit the wider swingarm of the Uly and 1125R, but it still works fine on my S3. I want to get the front stand someday..... http://www.exoticsportbike.com/micron_motorcycle_s tand.htm | ||
| Dako |
I use a plastic pop bottle. Cut the bottom off, and maybe a strip down the middle. Directs the oil where I want it. | ||
| Socoken |
Are we sure the capacity is just three quarts? Because there appears to be four or five gallons on my garage floor. I thought, "Ooo, Ill outsmart everyone. Ill cut the top off a milk jug, and use that as a funnel to direct the oil into the jug." Wrong. Not only did I not anticipate the fire hose velocity of the outcoming oil, but I also cut the milk jug too far down, causing it to spill over. Other than that, I thought it went great. | ||
| Exnorton |
"Measure twice cut once" I made the same mess but with a plastic "coffee can" I was removing the almost 3/4 of a quart they over serviced it when I picked it up new. Oil sure does go on the floor a whole lot easier that it comes up. I wish you could just rewind the tape on that one I was also surprised by the steam of oil, it knocked the drain plug out of my fingers. into the bottom of the container then most of the oil overshot it and splashed down on the floor. Gee what's a guy to do | ||
| P_squared |
I thought I was going to be smarter than everyone… I used an old brake bleeder vacuum pump to suck out as much oil as I could via the fill before pulling plugs. After that, I removed the right drain plug. Only 2 drops at this point that didn’t go where I wanted them too. I’m taking pictures of this whole process to post here after I’m done. I’m happy. I’ve built a better mousetrap. Move to the left side. Cut down a plastic water bottle. Holding it in place as I unthread the plug with fingers. Plug comes shooting out, goes to the bottom of the water bottle, effectively blocking my improvised funnel. Oil on the floor. I guess I was a little over optimistic on the amount of oil I had already vacuumed out to prevent this mess.  Time for the filter. Yup, you guessed it, oil on the kickstand, and subsequently more oil on the floor. So much for that better mousetrap, and God bless my wife for making me epoxy my garage floor last year. Makes oil clean up a ‘lil bit easier. But the GOOD NEWS is that breakin is over, and she’s SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun above 7,500 rpm’s. Plus, I don’t have to worry about oil cleanup again until time for next service!  | ||
| Captnemo |
Two words: Aluminum Foil. I use AF for my Firebolt, dodge truck, my old Kawi Z1000 ( oil filter located directly above the header tubes ) oil changes. I keep a roll in the race car trailer for just such an occasion. | ||
| Darkice19 |
I changed mine when i got it. Took 4 quarts out and put 3 quarts back in. Changed it 3 more times during the break in and finally changed the filter today when i could get one. I tried everything to not get oil all over the kickstand this time and the plastic bag idea is the best i can do. Im thinking of fabricating some kind of plastic funnel that attaches under the oil filter cover to guide the oil down into the pan. |
