[canyon1]

Yeah, I know the cost of owning a motorcycle is high. We all pay a premium for the very same reason...we love to ride.
I, for one, want to maintain the bike because I tend to hold on to my vehicles. There is one very small item I find particularily annoying. The dealer charges $2 for the crush-washer used with oil pan bolt. Yeah, that's a small item but when you add it to the $10 oil filter and the $6 + quarts of oil, you're looking at a $40 oil change. The last one I did on my truck cost me $9 with filter (This included a $7 rebate on the oil). Call me Cheapskate if you want (my wife does) but this is outrageous. Have any of you guys found a cheaper oil change ?

 

[alaskanmonte]

I re-use my crush washer and change them out every third oil change. You can use the Wix oil filter from NAPA to save a couple bucks also (model #51358) as it is designed for Motorsport applications. Also look for sales or close-outs on oil or you can order on-line in a higher quantity (12 quarts), I order my oil from Motorcycle Superstore on-line.

High price oil changes are the price we pay for having the fun we do on motorcycles.

 

[bozzly]

Hmm, I changed my oil yesterday and there was no washer on the drain plug. I did find that odd and check the local hardware store for a new copper washer that would fit but couldnt find one so put a very light coat of silicone where the washer would be and torqued the bolt to 31 pounds as it states in the book, checked after a ride and no leaks. I guess, I am gonna have to go to the dealer and stock up on a few of those washers.

 

[middleagecrisis]

Yeah, I know the cost of owning a motorcycle is high. We all pay a premium for the very same reason...we love to ride.
I, for one, want to maintain the bike because I tend to hold on to my vehicles. There is one very small item I find particularily annoying. The dealer charges $2 for the crush-washer used with oil pan bolt. Yeah, that's a small item but when you add it to the $10 oil filter and the $6 + quarts of oil, you're looking at a $40 oil change. The last one I did on my truck cost me $9 with filter (This included a $7 rebate on the oil). Call me Cheapskate if you want (my wife does) but this is outrageous. Have any of you guys found a cheaper oil change ?

Look at it this way. Its still a helluva lot cheaper than letting the dealership do it. Think of it as saving money.

 

[toby]

No washer on mine or the 950. Is there supposed to be one? I'll be checking the shop manual.

 

[immortal13]

No washer on mine or the 950. Is there supposed to be one? I'll be checking the shop manual.

There is no washer on mine either. I've changed the oil once...no leaking. I read in the manual about the crush washer, so I called the local yami dealer when I was changing my oil a month or so ago. All I got was errrr derrp derrp.

 

[toby]

No washer on mine or the 950. Is there supposed to be one? I'll be checking the shop manual.

Yep there is supposed to be one and it says to put a new one on with oil change. Maybe I just don't remember one being there. I will be looking next time I change the oil.

 

[immortal13]

Well, like I said mine didn't leak from the start and doesn't leak after 1 oil change, so I guess maybe it's not even necessary???

 

[toby]

Well, like I said mine didn't leak from the start and doesn't leak after 1 oil change, so I guess maybe it's not even necessary???

Yep that's what I was thinking. No leak on mine either. 3 oil changes. One at 600 miles then at 1,200 miles and one at 3,000 miles. I now have over 3,500 miles on it and no oil leak. Can't help but think if I would have had any one but myself do the oil change it would probably leak

 

[immortal13]

Well, like I said mine didn't leak from the start and doesn't leak after 1 oil change, so I guess maybe it's not even necessary???

Yep that's what I was thinking. No leak on mine either. 3 oil changes. One at 600 miles then at 1,200 miles and one at 3,000 miles. I now have over 3,500 miles on it and no oil leak. Can't help but think if I would have had any one but myself do the oil change it would probably leak

The manual says first oil change at 600 and then not again till 4000....am I wrong?

 

[toby]

Well, like I said mine didn't leak from the start and doesn't leak after 1 oil change, so I guess maybe it's not even necessary???

Yep that's what I was thinking. No leak on mine either. 3 oil changes. One at 600 miles then at 1,200 miles and one at 3,000 miles. I now have over 3,500 miles on it and no oil leak. Can't help but think if I would have had any one but myself do the oil change it would probably leak

The manual says first oil change at 600 and then not again till 4000....am I wrong?

Yes, you should change it at 600 then at 1,000.

 

[SmokenJoe]

Yes, you should change it at 600 then at 1,000.

Why? Not necessary. A waste of good oil and money.

 

[toby]

Yes, you should change it at 600 then at 1,000.

Why? Not necessary. A waste of good oil and money.

Yes the book does say second at 4,000 but 3 different mechanics told me 600 then between 1,200 and 1,5000. I did find signs of engine break in wear in my oil on the second change but non in the 3rd. The book does say don't run your bike hard until after 1,000 miles so I assume it is still breaking in. that's why I went with the recommendations of the other mechanics.

 

[SmokenJoe]

Yes, you should change it at 600 then at 1,000.

Why? Not necessary. A waste of good oil and money.

Yes the book does say second at 4,000 but tree different mechanics told me 600 then between 1,200 and 1,5000. I did find signs of engine break in wear in my oil on the second change but non in the 3rd.

That's cool.....your money.

 

[dreadly]

Look at it this way. Its still a helluva lot cheaper than letting the dealership do it. Think of it as saving money.

agreed!

Yes, you should change it at 600 then at 1,000.

Why? Not necessary. A waste of good oil and money.

agreed again ... but everyone has differenting opinions.

 

[strykeralan]

Changing your oil more will never hurt especially while your engine is still breaking in. i'm a mechanic. I did my first oil at 800 a I'll probably do another at 2000 engine oil itself doesn't ever go bad the additives in the oils do. But during break in its better to change oil sooner then later.

 

[drizztbob]

Changing your oil more will never hurt especially while your engine is still breaking in. i'm a mechanic. I did my first oil at 800 a I'll probably do another at 2000 engine oil itself doesn't ever go bad the additives in the oils do. But during break in its better to change oil sooner then later.

Exactly. It's not going to hurt the more you do, well maybe your wallet...

 

[christopher]

I did my oil change at 500, 1000, and 2000. I'm at 4300 now but i'm going to let the dealer do it since I want them to do the 4000 mile inspection. Mine does'nt have a washer either. I was just going to pick up an assorted pack at the parts store. I wouldn't change it though unless it starts leaking.

 

[toby]

here is a good article on engine break in and oil changes.
I wish I would have changed my oil at 2 or 300 miles instead of the recommended 600 miles after seeing the amount of metallic shiny in burnt black oil.
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/NewBike.html#BreakIn

 

[ktmmarco]

I'm finding it hard to believe that all these drain plugs are missing washers. Look closer, many times the crush washer deforms to look like part of the inside face of the drain plug. On some of my older bikes, I've had to put the drain plug in a vise and drive the old washer out with a small chisel or screwdriver.