How to Change Motorcycle Oil in Under 20 Minutes | The Shop Manual, by RevZilla on YouTube. 6 min 56 s.
- Video length
- 6 min 56 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Warm the engine for a few minutes so the oil flows better, then turn it off and let it sit briefly. Hot oil can burn you, so wear gloves.
Park the bike on level ground on its side stand or a paddock stand, and put a drain pan under the sump.
Loosen the oil filler cap on the engine case so air can get in and the oil drains faster.
Put on gloves and remove the drain bolt with a socket, keeping the pan underneath. Let all the oil drain out.
Check the old crush washer, fit a new one on the drain bolt and wipe the bolt and drain hole clean.
Slide the drain pan under the filter, use an oil filter wrench to remove it and tip it into the pan.
Smear fresh oil on the new filter's rubber gasket, screw it on by hand until it touches, then tighten as the filter box says.
Refit the drain bolt and tighten it to the torque in your owner's manual. Do not overtighten it or you can strip the threads.
Pour in the amount of oil your manual lists, using a funnel, then refit the filler cap.
Run the engine for a minute, switch off and wait, then check the drain bolt and filter for leaks and check the oil level. Top up if needed.
Tips and common mistakes
Warm oil drains faster and carries more dirt out, but never drain a scalding engine.
Fit a new crush washer every change to stop slow drips from the drain bolt.
Over-tightening the drain bolt or filter is the most common DIY mistake.
Take old oil to a recycling centre or auto parts store, never down the drain.
Questions
How often should I change motorcycle oil?
Follow the interval in your owner's manual. Short trips, dusty roads and track use mean shorter gaps between changes.
How much oil does my bike need?
Check the manual for the capacity, then fill to the level mark on the sight glass or dipstick rather than guessing.
Can I reuse the old oil filter?
No, fit a new filter at every oil change. A clogged filter stops cleaning the oil properly.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
