Small service

[mic-hull]

Just been looking in the "how to" section and cant small service stuff.

Ive got new oil, oil filter, air filter, two spark plugs, sure once i get into it il be able to work it out and do it, done a few cars in my time but is there anything i should watch out for while changing these parts?

cheers in advance.

mic :)

2003 sv650s

[RhythmJunkie]

Have you heard of "Haynes" manuals dude? I think they are about £20 and well detailed up to stripping an engine down to the crank. Full of photo's so dead easy to follow!

If you are a bit skint try youtube.
You could start here and search your way to the rest! :)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=N63UsX-99ig

[yorkie_chris]

If you've played with cars you won't have a problem, just remember they are aluminium heads so don't go mad.
Oil + filter is easy, 2.3liters IIRC
The back plug, just raise the tank and you can get a plug wrench to it, for the front one you can unbolt the radiator and push it forward, this will give you enough room to get the wrench onto the plug.
The air filter is just screwed into the top of the airbox.

Chris

[yorkie_chris]

As for the video, how ####in annoying is that fellas accent?

[ejohnh]

When you put the spark plugs in make sure that you get the thread started OK. screw in as far as you can with finger pressure. Otherwise everything is dead easy. Loosed the rad bolts and wedge it out with a piece of wood to give the room to get at the front spark plug.

[kwak zzr]

i never changed the plugs on my pointy, unless it had 10k + miles on i wouldn't bother.

[RhythmJunkie]

That makes sense Kwak cos after 10k they can still be looking pretty good. I've seen plugs changed at 3k that almost look like new...

....yeah I never thought to mention dismantling half the bike to get the plugs out. Still...not much different to a GSX, loosen fairing take 'OFF' tank?! Remove skin from 6 out of 8 knuckles! etc, etc.. :)

[M.C.]

started to do a service on my k5 today but could'nt get the filter off (was a lot tighter than i thought it would be) so i have got to get a oil filter wrench now, and the bike shop gave me the wrong size drain plug washer as well :eek:
not going to bother with plugs as the bike has done under 2k miles in 2 years ( and when i change the plugs in my curvy that had done 8k they still looked like new) and just give the air filter a blow with the air gun

mic have a look in you service book it tells you about doing maintenance eg oil change, plug change etc

[yorkie_chris]

Nah, batter a screwdriver through it and use that for more leverage. (or do it right and get a strap/chain wrench, drapers 3 legged gripper thing doesnt go small enough)

Edit: Make sure its sharp, and expect a mess.

[M.C.]

i used a chain wrench and it started to bend the filter, as you say a screwdriver will get it off it's putting it back on as the manual says hand tighten until resistance is felt between the mating faces then tighten 2 turns, i thought this would be a bit tight but it might be because of the vibration?

[kwak zzr]

Edit: Make sure its sharp, and expect a mess.

:p just a bit:p

[kwak zzr]

i used a chain wrench and it started to bend the filter, as you say a screwdriver will get it off it's putting it back on as the manual says hand tighten until resistance is felt between the mating faces then tighten 2 turns, i thought this would be a bit tight but it might be because of the vibration?

the heat from the engine bonds the rubber seal to the engine, even if it does bend when using the wrench it will go eventually.

[kwak zzr]

theres no need for it to be more than hand tight when putting your new one on.

[M.C.]

all i have ever done on cars is hand tight and max half a turn, so was surprised when i read 2 turns.

[mic-hull]

thanks for info guys,

im surprised with the two turns too, hand tight then half turn-ish is what i used to do on my car so il prob stick with that,

im not gonna bother with spark plugs now anyway, the bike is running really nice at the moment.

just oil and filter, gonna blow out the air filter, unless its really bad.

[yorkie_chris]

Don't worry when you see your airbox, it will have oil in it, this is normal.