| Have you ever read the book Zen and the Art of | | | | rock the motorcycle side to side to speed up the |
| Motorcycle Maintenance? In all honesty I have yet to | | | | process. |
| finish it but the one thing I gathered from the book | | | | Step 2 - After all the oil has been drained you need |
| on motorcycle maintenance is this, if you only do one | | | | to replace the oil filter. Once replaced put everything |
| thing yourself and have a motorcycle mechanic do | | | | back together and make sure all bolts are tight. |
| everything else, changing your oil regularly is the | | | | Step 3 - Replace the oil. For exact amounts consult |
| number one thing to do. | | | | your user manual or repair manual. When deciding on |
| Oil acts as the lifeblood of any engine; from your | | | | the types of motorcycle oil to use always consult |
| motorcycle's to your lawnmower's and without it the | | | | your user manual first. My personal preference is to |
| engine will seize and die. However, in a motorcycle | | | | use 20W50 synthetic motorcycle oil in the summer |
| heavier grade oil is required because the same oil is | | | | and then I change it up to 10W40 synthetic |
| not only being used to lubricate the engine but the | | | | motorcycle oil in the winter. As you may have |
| transmission and the clutch as well. As well as acting | | | | noticed motorcycles require heavy grade oil such as |
| as a lubricant ensuring metal parts do not touch, as in | | | | 20W50, 10W40, SAE 60, 75W110 and 75W140, the |
| the case of the majority of motorcycles, oil is also | | | | last two being used in Harley Davidson motorcycles. |
| used to cool down the engine. Furthermore | | | | After you have replaced the oil plug turn the |
| motorcycle oil helps to quickly move minor debris, | | | | motorcycle on and let it run for a few minutes to |
| such as metal filings, carbon and dirt away from the | | | | distribute the oil around the engine. |
| engines parts and into the oil filter. Now you can see | | | | There are many motorcycle-specific oils now being |
| why I refer to oil as lifeblood and why it should be | | | | produced however an ongoing debate by many |
| changed regularly. | | | | motorcyclists objecting to the higher prices of |
| So how do you change your oil anyway? Every | | | | motorcycle oil state that automotive oil is just as |
| motorcycle is different, so the following steps are a | | | | good as motorcycle oil. Although motorcycle oil has |
| guideline on how to change your oil and oil filter. | | | | the same properties as regular automotive oil, |
| Consult your user manual or purchase a Haynes repair | | | | shear-stable polymers are added to improve the way |
| manual for the exact steps. | | | | it works in motorcycle engines. Because of these |
| Step 1 - Drain the old oil. Some tips to make this | | | | polymers, motorcycle oil will retain its viscosity much |
| easier include warming up the engine up to thin down | | | | longer than automotive oil will. Which is important for |
| the oil, putting the motorcycle on its center stand, | | | | the life of your motorcycle. |
| unscrewing the oil plug to relieve pressure and slowly | | | | |