I did my first oil change on my new motorcycle today!
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I’ve done dozens of oil changes on cars as part of an auto shop class I took decades ago in high school so I was familiar with the process, but I hadn’t ever done it on a motorcycle, much less my own.
The oil filter wrench attachment got stuck on the oil filter and I started to freak out but my wife (who has no emotional investment into this motorcycle) quickly googled it and suggested I tap around it with a hammer.
Came off immediately much to my relief! The rest of the oil change went by without incident. Drained all the oil, saw all the tiny metal bits that accumulate in a new engine, made a small oil stain in my garage, tightened everything up (I couldn’t get a torque wrench to fit on the new oil filter so I did my best to estimate tightness).
I was planning on going for a celebratory ride afterwards but it was a big emotional ordeal over whether or not I’d break something so to be safe, I’ll keep the bike cozy in the garage for now. I’ll take it out for a nice long ride tomorrow.
Thankful for my wife who was calm and level headed and didn’t freak out at the first sign of trouble like me. One day I’ll get the confidence to not expect things to blow up if I touch them. I’m just happy I’m good for another few thousand km.
Good on ya!
Picked up my first brand-new bike this spring, and just had the first oil change done. Sadly, there's already some damage to the bike.
Few new parts, and we'll be good as new.
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changing your motorcycle's oil is the gateway drug to replacing sprockets and doing valve adjustments
On my old bike, the first maintenance I did was an oil change. The second was removing the gas tank and fixing a leak. Then came the coolant flush, and...
Yeah. Maintenance is surprisingly fun. Well, satisfying at least.
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Good on ya!
Picked up my first brand-new bike this spring, and just had the first oil change done. Sadly, there's already some damage to the bike.
Few new parts, and we'll be good as new.
Congrats on your new bike too! What kind of bike? And what kind of damage?
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Congrats on your new bike too! What kind of bike? And what kind of damage?
It's a Triumph Tiger 900 GT. Was on my way home through a steep technical alley in our neighbourhood when I ran into about six inches of mud. Went down in slow motion, bending the shifter and breaking the hand guard.
It's pretty trivial stuff to repair, but dammit that sucks to see my baby with an injury.
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This community is past due renaming itself imo
Eh, I figure being a dull man isn't about being a man - or even about being dull. It's about taking satisfaction in the potentially dull things you do in your day.
Motorcycles are awesome and fun and absolutely NOT dull. Changing oil on a vehicle absolutely belongs here.
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Good point! I've been using the T6!
Used to as well.
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I’ve done dozens of oil changes on cars as part of an auto shop class I took decades ago in high school so I was familiar with the process, but I hadn’t ever done it on a motorcycle, much less my own.
The oil filter wrench attachment got stuck on the oil filter and I started to freak out but my wife (who has no emotional investment into this motorcycle) quickly googled it and suggested I tap around it with a hammer.
Came off immediately much to my relief! The rest of the oil change went by without incident. Drained all the oil, saw all the tiny metal bits that accumulate in a new engine, made a small oil stain in my garage, tightened everything up (I couldn’t get a torque wrench to fit on the new oil filter so I did my best to estimate tightness).
I was planning on going for a celebratory ride afterwards but it was a big emotional ordeal over whether or not I’d break something so to be safe, I’ll keep the bike cozy in the garage for now. I’ll take it out for a nice long ride tomorrow.
Thankful for my wife who was calm and level headed and didn’t freak out at the first sign of trouble like me. One day I’ll get the confidence to not expect things to blow up if I touch them. I’m just happy I’m good for another few thousand km.
The first oil change is always the hardest and most emotional. Great work! You'll be a lot faster and more prepared for the next one 5000 miles from now.
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Congrats. You have to start somewhere.
Since it’s your first motorcycle change…I’m gonna ask the stupid question. You used a motorcycle oil right? They have friction modifiers added to them because of the wet clutch. You can’t use the same oil as cars.
News to me, I've been using just regular motor oil from Autozone for my changes. Wasn't sure it mattered.
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News to me, I've been using just regular motor oil from Autozone for my changes. Wasn't sure it mattered.
wrote on last edited by [email protected]You might have the odd ball bike that uses a dry clutch system or has separate engine/transmission oil. Chances are you know if you have that kind of bike. Bathe a wet clutch in regular car oil and it’s usually gonna slip like crazy.
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Eh, I figure being a dull man isn't about being a man - or even about being dull. It's about taking satisfaction in the potentially dull things you do in your day.
Motorcycles are awesome and fun and absolutely NOT dull. Changing oil on a vehicle absolutely belongs here.
I'm more concerned with the 'men`s' part of the title. The person I replied to was hesitant about commenting just because they ain't a man, and I'd like people to not feel that way
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You might have the odd ball bike that uses a dry clutch system or has separate engine/transmission oil. Chances are you know if you have that kind of bike. Bathe a wet clutch in regular car oil and it’s usually gonna slip like crazy.
Got a 2012 vstrom. Haven't noticed any issues with it. May have been an issue for older bikes, idk.
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2025 Honda CB500f! I just got my license and took the MSF course (mandatory here in order to even get a learners permit) and I’ve been riding it almost every day since I’ve gotten it less than a month ago.
Love the enthusiasm for maintenance. It always stresses me out. My first bike I opened the wrong screw and got air into my brake lines which messed all sorts of things up for me so now I’m always nervous about working on my stuff
Nice! I’m hoping to get a very similar Cfmoto 450ss.
Hopefully now you know how to bleed the brakes! Haha all part of learning don’t stress on it. Worst case you just have to take it to someone to fix it and do the thing you were trying to do.
Planning to do the msf course soon. Happy riding to you!
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Nice! I’m hoping to get a very similar Cfmoto 450ss.
Hopefully now you know how to bleed the brakes! Haha all part of learning don’t stress on it. Worst case you just have to take it to someone to fix it and do the thing you were trying to do.
Planning to do the msf course soon. Happy riding to you!
That’s a sharp looking sport bike! I’m excited for ya!
Haha I can bleed mineral oil brakes on a fatbike. Not so sure if the skills fully transfer over on a motorbike!
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It's a Triumph Tiger 900 GT. Was on my way home through a steep technical alley in our neighbourhood when I ran into about six inches of mud. Went down in slow motion, bending the shifter and breaking the hand guard.
It's pretty trivial stuff to repair, but dammit that sucks to see my baby with an injury.
Aw ya even with an adventure bike, mud ends all 2 wheel adventures. I have a surron and even though it handles off road like a charm, mud just ends it all.
Think of the scratches as patina! Shows you used the bike for its purpose. Maybe buy a fancy lever! A colourful one
