Changing oil - do I *really* need specialist tools? - SV650.org

26-09-06, 06:37 PM

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

northwind · 26-09-06, 06:44 PM

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.

26-09-06, 06:45 PM

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.

26-09-06, 07:13 PM

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

26-09-06, 07:15 PM

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

26-09-06, 07:30 PM

K&N Oil filters any good:

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

Ta

D.

northwind · 26-09-06, 08:38 PM

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigApe

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

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...

26-09-06, 10:22 PM

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

26-09-06, 11:16 PM

I bought one of these, sems ok so far

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

27-09-06, 08:01 AM

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)

26-09-06, 06:37 PM	#1
Kinvig Guest Posts: n/a	*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

26-09-06, 06:44 PM	#2
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,083	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. __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

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26-09-06, 06:45 PM	#3
Davido Guest Posts: n/a	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.

26-09-06, 07:13 PM	#4
Razor Guest Posts: n/a	A socket set is nice to have, especially for removing the sump plug. Don't over tighten the plug when you put it back!

26-09-06, 07:15 PM	#5
Stig Guest Posts: n/a	I don't go anywhere near a torque wrench when a steel nut is going into alloy.

26-09-06, 07:30 PM	#6
Kinvig Guest Posts: n/a	K&N Oil filters any good: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/K-N-performanc...QQcmdZViewItem Ta D.

26-09-06, 10:22 PM	#8
Razor Guest Posts: n/a	I've got a chrome K&N 3000 miles and still fine

26-09-06, 11:16 PM	#9
bobit69 Guest Posts: n/a	I bought one of these, sems ok so far http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Filtrex-Heavy-...QQcmdZViewItem

27-09-06, 08:01 AM	#10
Kinvig Guest Posts: n/a	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)