CHANGIN oil

[r_ramos]

Ok, so I'm tired of spending a fortune just to get my my oil changed at the dealer. I've never changed the oil of any vehicle myself so I had a couple of questions. I have the owners manual and plan on following those steps, but I was wondering what do you drain the oil in and what do you do with oil once its drained? Also if there are any pointers and tips you want to through my way that would be great. Like whats the best kind of oil and filter.... Well sorry for the dumb question and thanks in advance.
_Drive safe!

 

[Trill]

my first oil change was quite an experience.. I didn't have a manual or an oil filter wrench or a strap wrench so I ended up stabbing the filter with a screwdriver to loosen it up.. Not recommended if you can avoid it!

Take off the chin fairing and put some tin foil under the filter so the drips don't hit your exhaust.
Then also put some tin foil over the exhaust tip under the drain plug.
I didn't do this my first time and ended up getting oil on my exhaust from both holes.
Also when draining the oil tip bike up off kickstand and lean it to the right to get any left over oil in the cooler.. I don't know if this is needed but have read threads where people mention it.

For the waste Oil I just drain into an ordinary oil pan and empty it into the empty oil bottles you just put in the bike, then I take the oil to the local waste recycling plant that takes them for free.

I put the harley Syn3 in both holes with no regrets with a stock filter from harley.

 

[HOVERJOCKI]

im in the same boat as you mate i would like to know as well so i dont mess it up

 

[shilohsk8]

Just buy a oil drain pan from Autozone, Pep-Boys, Kragen, etc. for a few bucks (I recommend one with a cover for transporting without a mess). Get a replacement filter from the dealer or online. (you won't have to wait for it to get shipped at the dealer most of the time). And when you are finished bring your old oil right back to where you bought the drain pan from. All those places recycle oil for free. What oil you use is really your own preference and synthetics are proven to be better. I use the Harley synthetic stuff in both holes but there is a lot of good stuff on the market. Try searching on the forum and you will read about pretty much everything that exists.

 

[Bordsnbikes]

Christ almighty, like playin cards with my brothers kids. Don't put motor oil in your transmission!

R Ramos, good on you for asking for help when you need it, make sure you do your due diligence in researching because you can be led astray anywhere. There is a lot of good advice on here and every now and then some bad advice. Don't use motor oil whether it's natural or synthetic in your transmission. Here's the link to the thread where this is discussed a lot. You'll see why you shouldn't. As for your engine, synthetic is the way to go. Harley's Syn is pretty spendy but definitely good quality, I prefer Royal Purple, Mobil One is good too, same with Ams Oil.

It sounds like your only changing your engine oil for now, but when they are saying both holes they mean the engine oil and the trans oil.

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Do-It-Yourself-Buell-Mods/Primary-Oil-Discussion

 

[teh Nub]

Christ almighty, like playin cards with my brothers kids. Don't put motor oil in your transmission!

Harley SYN3 which I assume he is using as many people on here do, is designed to be used in the Engine, primary chain case, and transmission just like the Amsoil that I and many others use.

 

[shilohsk8]

Yeah!!! What he said!! No but really the dealer even tells you to use the Syn3 on the engine and tranny.

 

[NOMORE4s4ME]

I use, and have used the same Ams Oil for both as long as I've had my bike. No problems w slipping or anything like that. I've never heard of any problems from anyone using it that way. It says engine/tran right on the bottle.

 

[typeone]

+1. lots of old-skool Buellers have been using Mobil 1 15W50 or 20W50 in both holes for years and TONS of miles without issue.

my fav? M1 15W50 in the engine (swingarm) and M1 20W50 VTwin in the primary with a Purolator PureOne filter (PL14476). all available from AutoZone or similar.

 

[Odin]

I just think of Billy bob thorton in Tombstone saying that line in the Oriental

sounds like the discussion shall be reopened.

I might have to try the tin foil idea on my next change-coming up in about 2 weeks. that was my only gripe, that the drain is right over top the muffler so it gets dirty -but I just wiped it off with shop towels when I was done, and no big deal.

 

[Bordsnbikes]

Ha ha that's where it came from Odin.

Ya'll do what you want, it's not my bike your screwing with.

 

[Trill]

I wasn't giving him advice on what oil to use, I just stated the oil that I have been using along with many others. No need to call the bad advice police on me.

To each their own.. syn3 in both holes for me.

 

[Bordsnbikes]

There's things in engine oil that shouldn't be used with your clutch plates. Engine oil isn't gonna blow the tranny up or anything, it's just not good for your clutch plates. Why would you knowingly use something that is inferior in there when it's easy to get the better/right thing?

 

[Stevenc150]

Bords, what is your personal recommendation for putting in the primary?

 

[teh Nub]

There's things in engine oil that shouldn't be used with your clutch plates. Engine oil isn't gonna blow the tranny up or anything, it's just not good for your clutch plates. Why would you knowingly use something that is inferior in there when it's easy to get the better/right thing?

We aren't using engine oil, we are using multi-use oil that is designed to work with the clutch etc. All the honda, yamaha, suzuki, etc sport bikes are the same way, the engine, transmission, and clutch oil is one and the same. This is why you use a motorcycle specific oil rather than standard automotive oil......

AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil (MCV) is a premium oil designed for those who demand the absolute best lubrication for their motorcycles. AMSOIL MCV is the result of extensive research, and it is specially formulated to excel in all areas unique to motorcycles, including high temperatures of air-cooled engines such as Harley Davidson® V-Twin, wet clutch lubrication, extreme pressure regions of gears and chains and rust common to short trips and storage.

 

[Bordsnbikes]

I say go with Royal Purple's Max Cycle 20w50 or XPR. Harley's Formula Plus stuff is great too.

teh Nub, people are saying "I use synthetic in both holes" which leads me to believe they are putting synthetic engine oil in both holes. I would imagine that would lead a fella trying to learn how to do an oil change to the same conclusion.

 

[Stevenc150]

I say go with Royal Purple's Max Cycle 20w50...

That's what I'm using in both holes. I thought you were saying to use something special just for the primary.

 

[teh Nub]

teh Nub, people are saying "I use synthetic in both holes" which leads me to believe they are putting synthetic engine oil in both holes. I would imagine that would lead a fella trying to learn how to do an oil change to the same conclusion.

As long as people are using synthetic "motorcycle" oil for their motorcycle, they will be fine.

 

[Bordsnbikes]

I'm saying use Max Cycle 20w50 or XPR for your primary. I put Synthetic engine oil in my engine though.

 

[fahren]

Looking on the Royal Purple web site, under the "which oil is right for you?" tab, It specifically notes that for a Sportster or Buell Evo engine, go with Max-Cycle 20w50, and with Sportster or Buell transmission, use Max-Cycle 10w30. Hey, if they go the extra mile to MENTION BUELLS (!!!), then I'm all for it. The only problem, is no availability locally - will have to order from Amazon.