Oil Change

Hey VFR World,

Up until now I have let the local motorcycle mechanic do my oil changes, but it seemed like a waste of money to have someone else do it. So... I am thinking of trying to change the oil myself, and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions about the best way to go about doing it. It seems pretty straight forward, but nothing is that easy once you start. Could people give me some helpful suggestions if they have changed their own oil?

Thanks, Mel

2001 VFR

 

On my 93 it is pretty straight forward. remove the lower left side cowl, no need to remover the lower right side, which makes access to the filter relatively easy, drain the oil and replace the filter. I let the dealer change mine the first time since I wanted to be sure it was done right (not that I would not have) and that if something got broken (say, threads on the drain bolt stripped) it would be somewhere it could be fixed properly. My next oil change I am going to switch to synthetic oil. Amsoil has been recommended to me and I feeel it is a good product, but more expensive than other brands. According to thier website it's nearly $9 for a quart bottle. I don't know about others, but the Honda brand oil filter should do the job well. Other than that it is a pretty straight forward job an dshould be jsut as easy or easier than changing the oil on a car. And you don't have to have ramps to do it either. ;-)

 

Just as said, pretty easy job.

You'll need to remove L/H side cowl. Warm the bike up to normal opperating temp, clean any dirt from around filter and drain plug area, remove drain plug, drain the oil (remove fill cap to help drain), and remove the filter. You will need a filter wrench, or just ram a screwdriver through the filter body to give some leverage. Check the drain plug and oil for any metal debris.

To refil, refit the drain plug, do NOT overtighten, and screw on the filter hand tight only (put some clean oil on seal first). Fill up the oil until correct level, refit fill cap. Start up bike to check for leaks, and recheck oil level. Refit fairing.

Maybe too much detail for what you already know, but better too much than too little. Enjoy yourself!

 

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I am going to try it out this weekend. There is nothing more empowering than doing your own maintenance!

Mel

 

Might I also add you should place some rags or cover the headers below the oil filter, as oil will run out and soak the headers.

 

No spare rags? Try some kitchen aluminum around the headers (before engine warm thru!).

 

Ok, I have a stupid question. How many quarts go in the 90-93 VFR? How do you use the little oil dipstick? I assume level ground, bike vertical.. not on center stand. But do you screw the stick all the way in to take a reading? Or is it supposed to be pushed in and unscrewed? Damn, it's too complicated. My owner's manual should be coming in a week or so... too long to wait.

 

Don't forget to ensure the black rubber o-ring is not stuck on the block. Had a neighbor who forgot to do this and when he started up he had a nice stream of oil running up his driveway and then 4 quarts of oil in his garage.

 

Re-hashing and old thread here, sorry guys, but do you check the oil level (I ride a 98) with the bike on the center stand or side stand. The manual doesnt seem to state this very clear. Any thoughts?

 

Center stand, level ground

 

Hi wu oil change advice: carefully remove plastics use a proper filter wrench drain oil when hot.Try to use a torque wrench to replace new filter and drain bolt. Best of luck

 

hello¡
I suggest do it yourself every 3500 mi use 10w40 and replace the filter an the same time, I use mineral Valvoline and FRAM oil filter (PH 6018), tight filter using hand force only and check level to be 1/2 to 3/4 in the little window with the bike on its center stand. I have a 2000 model an no problems ay all.

 

As long as this thread is resurrected, is there any reason to NOT use Rotella 5W-40 TRUCK oil? It's the cheapest synthetic around, and 5W-40 should be just as good as 10W-40 when hot, and better when cold, right?

Also, I use the Fram PH7317 oil filter on my third gen. It's a car oil filter that's the same thread size and filter diameter as the specified one, but it's much longer - nearly twice the length. But it still fits. The more the better, right?

And to E Cabrera: ewww! Every 3500 miles?? Mine gets changed every 1000-1500 miles. And FYI, at least one of the VFR gens doesn't have an oil level window, at all. My '92 has a dipstick!

 

Put a touch of oil in the filter before install.Another thing don`t forget to put some oil with your finger on the rubber O ring.

 

Notes on this thread:
1. klee27x you really change your oil that often? (1000 - 1500 mi) I would be changing my oil
every month. I change mine every 3000-4000 mi. My oil is still fairly clean. I have ~25000 mi on a
2. No one, NO ONE, has mentioned changing the aluminum compression washer on the oil drain
plug. I Know you do not have to, it will reseal albeit at a higher torque. But HONDA states that
it should be replaced every time the oil is changed. I buy em by the dozen from Service Honda
they are cheap (<$2.00each).
3. Pfbmgd. Excellent tip. keeps oring from sticking to case. making it difficult to remove filter.
4. Skidviscious: I use Aluminum foil on the headers, too. Although any oil spilled on headers burns off
in just a few minutes. although it will leave stains.
5. On oil filter type: there have been studies on oil filters and I believe Fram was dicovered to be one of
the worst oil filters you can buy.

All of this is just my opinion.

So take it for what its worth.

 

Good point .You may even get them cheaper at a auto store.

 

Thanks for the advice, do you have the reference about FRAM filters, it´s made in Canada and states it doesn´t affect honda´s guarantee, I always use it in all my bikes, actually I have a CBR600RR 2007 and the VFR and it seems to work fine with both, although will consider buy the Honda original filters.

 

I´ve read that car oils can affect motorcycles wet clutch, and are affected by high revolutions like we can reach in our bikes, I would use only motorcycle oil no matter the brand but, check the viscosity specs. 10w40 or 20w50

 

Very good tip about the o-ring, by the way thanks for the image of your avatar, nice girl, who is she??????????????