Before starting, make sure the bike is warmed up so the oil drains easier.
Get the tools ready
Place pan under the drain plug (located near the pivot of the kick stand)
Using the wrench with the 12mm socket, break the nut loose. Afterward, put the wrench down and twist off the bolt by hand.
Be careful, the oil may be very hot. You can use the rag to finish taking the bolt off.
Use the clean-ish rag to clean the bolt. Also, check the bolt for any damage, especially on the threads, and check the washer
that it is flat and true. You can also replace the washer if you want, they are cheap and can be purchased at the same time
as the oil filter.
Once the oil has stopped draining from the bike, put the bolt back on. Make sure you thread it in at first by hand or you run the risk
of cross threading the housing which is not good. Use the wrench to torque it back to specs, or give it about a 1/8 turn after you feel
resistance. Be careful not to overtighten or you can strip the threads!
Next, move the oil pan underneath the exhaust headers. I am lucky because I never have the front plastic piece on, so it makes
oil changes very easy. You will have to remove the dirt guard in order to get to the oil filter I believe.
Once the dirt guard plastic piece is removed, place the wrench combo as seen onto the oil filter.
Once you start to loosen the oil filter it will immediately start to drain. The oil will go all over your exhaust pipes, do not
worry.
After you have removed the oil filter, place it into the oil drain pan.
Next, you'll want to use your clean-ish rag to wipe down where the oil filter sits. The picture shows a cleaned base.
Before installing the new oil filter, you will want to get some fresh oil on your finger and run a
bead on the dry rubber seal of the new filter. Also, notice that it is a Honda brand oil filter. Don't mess around with that
Fram junk. Spend the extra $$$ and get the better filter.
Next, install the filter by hand. Install with the same instructions as the oil drain bolt. Once
you feel resistance, turn about 1/8 more, except here, use your hand the whole time.
We're done! Just kidding... now we gotta actually add the oil. Locate the oil fill plug.
Use your funnel and add about 3.25 quarts into the hole. It is possible to fill it without using a funnel, but the risk of
spilling all over your fairing is very high. Go buy a funnel.
Once you've added the 3.25 quarts, put the oil fill plug back on and crank the bike up for about 10 seconds. Some rattling
of the engine is normal for the first few seconds although I don't usually hear it with this bike. Shut off the bike, wait a
few minutes for the oil to drain back down, take off
the oil fill plug and add in enough oil to equal 3.75 quarts. Being very careful, lean the bike straight up so it is not tilting
to either side. and check the oil level in the clear glass. It should be between or at either of the lines. It is vastly
preferrable to be at or just under the "high" fill line. You may want to have someone help you hold the bike, because it is
very heavy and unwieldy. I've done it tons of times by myself and I still get nervous every time.
OK, now we're actually done! Take the oil to a proper disposal point, such as a car parts store like AutoZone. Do not pour it out
on the ground or in the sewer, you'll end up drinking it eventually!
You will probably freak out once you go for a ride on the bike and it starts smoking and smelling once the exhaust pipes get warm.
Guess what? That is the oil that spilled on the exhaust... don't sweat it. It will burn off pretty quickly.
I have no idea what a dealer charges for an oil change, but I'm sure it is a ridiculous amount. Don't pay it.
This tutorial has helped
people change their oil since May 4th 2004.
