Changing oil - do I *really* need specialist tools?
 

Right, after re-soldering my right indicator & fitting my rear-hugger & exhaust I've got the bug to get into the hands on approach to bike maintenance.

As my gears are really hard to change after 20 mins or so of London riding I figure it can't harm if I change the oil myself - the oil level is fine but it doesn't hurt & it may be the cure other than getting a garage to do it. If my gear issue isn't the oil then no really loss & the garage fixes it anyways.

So, that's enough history: DO I really need any grown-up tools like a torque wrench?

Been thinking that the oil filter itself - remove the existing one then tighten the new one by hand that way the next tiem it won't be too tight to come off (logic here!!!).

My set of spanners & other assorted tools should be fine, right?

How much will my local, friendly garage charge me for an oil filter? Assuming I find a friendly garage.


Ta muchly,


Dirk

Nah, no special tools needed at all... Though a filter wrench is a nice luxury. At worst, if the filter's really stuck on you can whack a chisel or screwdriver through it and use that as a lever.

I wouldn't bother with a torque wrench for an oil change, but it doesn't hurt to have one for other jobs.

Definitely right about the oil filter, don't put it on too tight. But I'd buy the oil filter remover tool thingy (name escapes me) to make things easier.

EDIT: Beaten to it. Never use msn while posting on forums. :p

A socket set is nice to have, especially for removing the sump plug. Don't over tighten the plug when you put it back!

I don't go anywhere near a torque wrench when a steel nut is going into alloy.

K&N Oil filters any good:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/K-N-performanc...QQcmdZViewItem

Ta

D.

I use OEM filters.. Had a K&N but it rusted something rotten, after 4000 miles it'd lost a lot of strength. Plus, it looked rubbish. It might have been a brilliant filter internally, mind, but OEM works and doesn't fall apart. Champion seem good too.

Yup, but you know what you're doing. Most folks don't know how tight to make a sump bolt, without a torque wrench and a manual...

I've got a chrome K&N 3000 miles and still fine ;)

I bought one of these, sems ok so far

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Filtrex-Heavy-...QQcmdZViewItem

sweet. Filter bought.

Know what I'll be doing on Saturday morning....hm, hangover, okay Saturday afternoon.

Now it's still legal to put old engine oil down teh drain as long as it's between 2330 - 0600, right? ;o)