First Oil Change

**HBerry** · 07-07-04, 09:10 AM

Hey all:

Found this on a ZX-6R website, does this sound like the correct procedure to follow for my first ever bike oil change:

Changing the Oil
This is a simple procedure which everyone can do themselves. You need:

- Wrench for the oil plug (17mm)
- Genuine Kawasaki oil filter (FRAM PH6017a)
- Four quarts of oil
- Funnel
- Pan for the old oil
- Oil filter tang

With exception of the very first 1000 miles, always use fully synthetic oil, I recommend Mobil 1 MX4T.

1. Before you drain the oil, first ride with the bike for about 10-15 minutes so the oil is HOT and thin.

2. Its not necessary, but its easier if you put the bike on a rear stand (if you have one).

3. Put the pan under the bike, and remove the oil plug (17mm). Let it drain for about 20 minutes for all the oil to run out.

4. You don't have to remove the fairing in order to remove the oil filter, but its easier and cleaner if you do (left side fairing only). First try to unscrew the oil filter by hand. If that doesn't work, just use an oil tang

5. Wipe down the rim of the mounting hole where the oil filter was fitted.

6. On the open side of the new oil filter is a rubber ring. Dip your finger in the new oil, and rub a little oil on this rubber ring. Then screw on the new oil filter. (FRAM PH6017a)

7. Put the oil plug back in (if you want you can replace the washer with a new one, but it's not totally necessary), and fill her up with new oil.

TIP: You can go to your local auto parts store and have them order the FRAM PH6017a filters for you, I would order three at a time, a years worth. If you don't know, I do not like giving money to dealers, the bike dealer sold the same filter for $11 that I got ACROSS the street from an auto parts store for $4.
Do not forget to dispose of the old oil in an environmental friendly manner

Thanks

**bigred875** · 07-07-04, 09:13 AM

Sounds about right..

As it appears you are going to be doing maintenence yourself I would buy the factory manual for you bike...it is well worth the money. If you get ti from the dealer it'll prolly run you around $65..mayeb cheaper online...

**HBerry** · 07-07-04, 09:14 AM

Someone found a downloadable version from the 03 version, I would assume that is very similar if not the same to my bike, and I will likely use that!

Anything else I need to do for the 500 mile tune up other than an oil change?

**bigred875** · 07-07-04, 09:24 AM

Originally posted by HBerry
Someone found a downloadable version from the 03 version, I would assume that is very similar if not the same to my bike, and I will likely use that!

Anything else I need to do for the 500 mile tune up other than an oil change?

I don't think so..but I'm not mechanic....I think they also do a once over to make sure everything is right... that manual prolly will say what needs to be done and how to do it..

Just wait the the real mechanics to chime in...they'll let ya know..i'll stop whoring

**HBerry** · 07-07-04, 09:30 AM

Haha sounds good. I want to go for a nice ride to maine on saturday but that will put me well over my 500 miles so I would like to do the oil change either early saturday morning or friday night.

**scootertrash** · 07-07-04, 11:10 AM

That sounds right.
You probably know this, but make sure you put in the correct amount of oil. The owners manual that came with the bike will give an amount for an oil change with and without a filter change. Putting in too much or too little oil is bad. The manuals typically give the oil amount in liters instead of quarts, so be aware of that.

While your oil is draining, take a few minutes to check the fasteners on your bike, such as bodywork fasteners, exhaust hanging bolts, foot pegs, etc. They are probably all fine with only 500 miles, but it's worth a quick check.

Check the brake fluid levels, coolant levels, and top off the windshield washer fluid.

**OreoGaborio** · 07-07-04, 11:51 AM

Originally posted by HBerry
Someone found a downloadable version from the 03 version, I would assume that is very similar if not the same to my bike, and I will likely use that!

that would be me

YOU'RE WELCOME

**HBerry** · 07-07-04, 12:22 PM

THANK YOU!!

**OreoGaborio** · 07-07-04, 12:31 PM

**elaineo** · 07-08-04, 02:30 AM

Originally posted by scootertrash
Putting in too much or too little oil is bad.

Wait -- crap -- rewind -- why is too much oil bad? Cuz when I did the oil change on my bike, the manual said to put in 3.5 quarts of oil. but walmart only sells oil in full quarts, so after i put in 3.5 quarts, i was left with half a quart of oil. Plus, i was putting the old oil in the empty containers, so i had half a quart of old oil that had nowhere to go, so i was like crap i don't know what to do, so i just dumped all 4 quarts of oil into the bike. i figured anything extra would eventually drip out somwhere?

**PinHead** · 07-08-04, 05:01 AM

4 quarts in a bike

That is what my truck uses. Might wannna double check that. Too much oil can be real bad BTW

**Stoneman** · 07-08-04, 06:38 AM

Originally posted by PinHead
4 quarts in a bike That is what my truck uses. Might wannna double check that. Too much oil can be real bad BTW

I've had a coupla bikes that used damn near 4 quarts when changing oil & filter. Which, btw, is the only way to do it (oil AND filter, that is)...

**scootertrash** · 07-08-04, 06:56 AM

Originally posted by elaineo
Wait -- crap -- rewind -- why is too much oil bad? Cuz when I did the oil change on my bike, the manual said to put in 3.5 quarts of oil. but walmart only sells oil in full quarts, so after i put in 3.5 quarts, i was left with half a quart of oil. Plus, i was putting the old oil in the empty containers, so i had half a quart of old oil that had nowhere to go, so i was like crap i don't know what to do, so i just dumped all 4 quarts of oil into the bike. i figured anything extra would eventually drip out somwhere?

It's bad because modern engines are sealed and the oil has no where to leak out. Too much oil will increase the pressure in the engine, especially when you have it cranked up around 10K RPMs. This increased pressure may end up blowing out a gasket somewhere if it gets too high. If there is way too much oil, the excess drag of the engine components slogging through the oil will decrease performance and will lead to long-term engine damage. In my (non-expert) opinion, I wouldn't panic over an extra half quart, but I would get it out of there pretty soon. You need to either carefully let the half quart of of the drain plug (which can get messy and tricky to get only half quart out) or a better idea is to get a $2 plastic turkey baster at your local K-Mart and add on some plastic tubing if necessary. You can then suck the extra oil out of your filler area. You could also rig up something with a left-over hand pump from an empty bottle of hand creme and some plastic tubing to pump it out of the filler area. Next time, save the extra oil for your next oil change...you will only need to buy 3 quarts ! Put the extra old oil in a milk jug or something.

**HBerry** · 07-08-04, 07:35 AM

What type of oil would you all recommend for my first oil change also?

**Stoneman** · 07-08-04, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by HBerry
What type of oil would you all recommend for my first oil change also?

I'd run whatever the manual tells you to put in it...

As a general rule of thumb, it's been my experience that you use 'dino' oil for the first coupla oil changes (unless otherwise specified by your manual), then switch to dino/synth blend...

That's the way I've done it on any brandie new bike I've owned...

**HBerry** · 07-08-04, 07:48 AM

Yeah it says non synth oil for the first 3 oil changes, just wondering if anyone recommended anything specific

**HBerry** · 07-08-04, 08:08 AM

Also, if I were to go, say 600 miles because I drive to maine and back on saturday, instead of the stated 500, would that cause any issues?

**Stoneman** · 07-08-04, 08:25 AM

Originally posted by HBerry
Also, if I were to go, say 600 miles because I drive to maine and back on saturday, instead of the stated 500, would that cause any issues?

No. No worries...

**stoinkythepig** · 07-08-04, 08:45 AM

Spectro oil works OK and will not void your warranty since it is JASO-MA certified. Kawsaki oil sucks.

Don't over tighten the drain plug. It's a big bolt going into soft metal. A torque wrench would be a great investment if you have any doubts in this area.

There should be a sticker near the oil window on the engine with three oil cpacaity values on it: Oil only change, oil and filter change, and "brand new dry engine".

Service manual is only $40 or so and worth every cent. There will likely be many loose fasteners on your bike. Check all that you can see, including the header mouting nuts on the head.

Good luck!

**HBerry** · 07-08-04, 09:25 AM

I have the service manual. I also have every tool known to man kind available to me. I will be checking everything.

**stoinkythepig** · 07-08-04, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by HBerry
I have the service manual. I also have every tool known to man kind available to me. I will be checking everything.

You been visiting my garage at night??

**HBerry** · 07-08-04, 09:27 AM

Originally posted by stoinkythepig
You been visiting my garage at night??

No but its nice to have a girlfriends dad that has been working on cars sense he was 14.

**stoinkythepig** · 07-08-04, 09:30 AM

Originally posted by HBerry
No but its nice to have a girlfriends dad that has been working on cars sense he was 14.

or a wife. I had a pretty good selection of tools and then inherited a ton more when my father-in-law passed away. He was a gearhead out in CA for years during the hotrod craze. The tools he left me are amazing. He was also a cool guy to know. Miss him...

**elaineo** · 07-08-04, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by HBerry
What type of oil would you all recommend for my first oil change also?

Don't use cheap walmart oil like I did.

i used to think that all oils were the same, but after i put in fully synthetic oil that i got from walmart, it started running and shifting like crap. it made my cam chain start rattling too.

the previous owner had never ever changed the oil, and the bike was running great when i got it. ugh.

mobil 1 is good stuff.

**HBerry** · 07-09-04, 06:15 PM

Ok so i am right now changing my oil, do I need to change the filter for the 500 mile tune up or not?

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