which oil and filter?

[M.C.]

i've decided that i am going to service my bike myself,
but which oil does everybody use?
halford have some Castrol Power 1 GPS 10w-40 for £25.99
and what filter? OEM or K&N the K&N is more expensive but it has the bit on the end so you can tighten it up with a spanner, if i get the OEM filter i will need to buy the filter key as well (where is the best place to get one from?)

Now the main question the bike has done approx 1500 miles (yeah i know) and 2 years old so would you change

the brake fluid?

the coolant?

and sparkplugs?

thanks

i use what ever HG sell, i know the oil is motul but i have no idea about the filter, i wouldnt change the fluids or spark plugs with 1500 miles on.

[Sid Squid]

I'd change the brake fluid and the coolant, but then I do them every year anyway regardless of mileage.

[embee]

FWIW

I like Castrol GPS or Power 1 as it now calls itself. I find clutches free off very easily with it, and it stays clean.

I'd always say use OE filters, but that's me. Not all filters are the same, believe me, and what's a quid or 2 over an oil change period?

Brake fluid definitely yes, use any of the DOT 4 variants and you'll be fine.

Sid is very enthusiastic in changing coolant every year, even I don't do that! Nothing wrong there Sid, just very enthusiastic! I use Toyota Red coolant in everything, it's a ready-to-use mix and is good for 5yrs normal use, I tend to change it at typically 3yrs.

Again, not all coolants are the same! I changed the original coolant in my Hond@ after a couple of years and it smelt pretty manky, don't know what the dealer had put in it, something from an animal judging by the smell though.

[northwind]

I use Castrol GPS as it's a pretty colour. Filters, I've used CHampion for a few changes and saw no probs, but then I got a load of Suzuki filters cheap, so I use those. Don't use K&N, they're needlessly expensive and the build quality's rotten. They might be great filters, but mine rusted so badly in just 4000 miles that it was actually losing strength, it twisted a little when I removed it but more worryingly I could poke a hole in it very easily where it was most rusted.

Cheers guys- this is handy for me too as I'll be doing an oil/coolant/plugs/oil+air filters too.
I guess I'll need new seals too for the coolant valve and sump valve.

On the subject of seals (not the Canadian Club variety, either), I occasionally get a bit of coolant coming out of, I assume, the valve on the side of the engine case. It isn't regular, looks big but has barely made a dent in the coolant level. Is this likely to be just the seal?

I bumped into a V-Max rider who had the same problem, due to a bearing behind the valve needed replacing. Is there such a thing in the SV? Mr Haynes doesn't seem to mention it in his book...

Got a 5L can of Motul and a filter from Busters for about £25. Will do 2 oil changes with that.

Going to use the same antifreeze I got for my car (ally engine) with distilled water for the coolant change.

What about the air filter (OEM) what is the thinking about that? Blow it with compressed air or get a new one? It doesn't look clogged at all.

I've had some big doubts over motorcycle oil lately, like there are only two manufacturers of true motorcycle oil, the other so called motorcycle oils are modified car oils!
http://www.putoline.com/en/technology.asp
I use Putoline cos its cheaper than the rest of the top brands and also manufactured as a pure motorcycle oil!

Originally Posted by RhythmJunkie

I've had some big doubts over motorcycle oil lately, like there are only two manufacturers of true motorcycle oil, the other so called motorcycle oils are modified car oils!
http://www.putoline.com/en/technology.asp
I use Putoline cos its cheaper than the rest of the top brands and also manufactured as a pure motorcycle oil!

I use Putoline because that's what Flitwick Motorcycles sells, and they're 150 yards from my house so i don't have to lug it far. They also stock genuine filters for all Jap bikes, which I prefer to cheaper and inferior types, so I buy them too.

Vesrah filters are also OEM, all the Japanese manufacturers have their filters made by Vesrah and badged up as their own. Trouble is, no-one stocks Vesrah stuff any more...get your finger out Bickers.

I use cheap halfwords 10w40 and the filters they sell off the shelf. Oil is oil if you ask me...