How often do you change your oil?

[asta1]

Evening all,

I have been toying with the idea of changing the oil in my MT-07 for the last few weeks as it is now roughly half way between service intervals.

I suspect this is more for my own peace of mind than any mechanical need, but how often do you all change out the oil in your bikes?

Cheers,
A.
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CBT Acquired: 09/07/2015
A2 Licence Passed: 12/02/16
Current Bike: Yamaha MT-07 bought 02/07/16

[Copycat73]

in the spring time ..
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Whatever I post I have no citation and no intention of providing one..
caveat emptor

[Bloggsy]

When I was keen and did my own maintenance my oil was changed every 6 months, now my oil is changed once a year when my dealer services it, as I'm to lazy to do it. If you want to change your oil for your peace of mind, then do it and the filter as well
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If It Aint broke Don't Fix It

[thx1138]

On my Beta, every 4 to 8 hours

err, generally twice as often as the service intervals on my road bikes

[asta1]

Interesting. I might swap it out then. I haven't done it before so it's a useful thing to know how to do and it won't harm the bike either way.

The manual seems pretty compehensive, but any tips, beyond the obvious get the stuff warm before trying to drain it?

Cheers!
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CBT Acquired: 09/07/2015
A2 Licence Passed: 12/02/16
Current Bike: Yamaha MT-07 bought 02/07/16

[yen_powell]

[Howling Terror]

Buy crush washers..chances are you can re-use the old one but sods law can come into effect.

Rubber gloves. (or borrow some from a petrol station).
Bike on level ground.

Wrap a dry rag around the old filter and use brute strength (Have an old large Philips screwdriver and a hammer should you be lacking in brute).

Look for metal filings in the old washing bowl you're using.
Magnetic sump plug for next time. Surprising how they do collect metallic sludge and the odd stray bit of swarf.

2 funnels. 1 for aiding in refilling the other for draining old oil from washing up bowl into old container.
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[bamt]

If the sump plug is on the bottom of the bike, use a ratchet to undo it as it is really easy to get it wrong and tighten rather than loosen as you are looking at it backwards to normal. If you've set the ratchet to undo bolts before you put it on the sump plug you won't get that wrong.

And don't overtighten the plug when you put it back in - especially if it is a magnetic one.

[thx1138]

what they said ^^

I wrecked a KMX 125 by overtightening

my friend re-threaded it for me, for some cider, it was a close call, could have wrecked my bike

[stinkwheel]

Regarding sealing washers, buy an M12 dowty (bonded seal) washer to replace the crush washer on the sump bolt.

I have no idea why we still fuck about with crushable copper and aluminium sealing washers. Bonded seal ones have been about for at least 70 years, are reusable, do not leak and reliably seal when nipped up tight. The don't need ramsheeing down to make a seal.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Beehive Bedlam]

I change mine every 4K and I ride it hard.

[asta1]

Good stuff! A few things I wouldn't have thought of there. I'm lucky in that I invested in a torque wrench and the recommended setting is provided in t'instructions. Any pointers for sourcing magnetic sump plugs? Who makes decent ones?

Cheers guys, will let you know how it goes!

Need to source a new filter first.
____________________
CBT Acquired: 09/07/2015
A2 Licence Passed: 12/02/16
Current Bike: Yamaha MT-07 bought 02/07/16

[stinkwheel]

[Beehive Bedlam]

[G]

Remember the torque settings is for with a fresh copper washer.

If you buy cheap crappy sump bolts, they may snap. That's the common factor, not being magnetic or not, I'd suggest.

Or, of course, possibly not using a torque wrench - though typically the sump will go way before the fastener unless you've gone for some ultra-light tarty cheese-based one.

[Baggyman]

always used to anneal copper washers to re-use them - heat it cherry red with a blow torch then quench it in water. The copper goes nice and soft.

Used to do the same thing with copper head gaskets. Is that not the done thing any more?
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Old fart
Baghira, modded GS1000 and the T150 I bought in 1978 when I was 21

[Poundshop Dave]

[RhynoCZ]

[RhynoCZ]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[NJD]

[G]

[NJD]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

When I was a newbie my concern was not whether I was about to snap a bolt but rather, is that tight enough or will it come loose. Without someone to demonstrate I'd say a torque wrench is a good education. Yes, I probably have gained the mystical "common sense" after using one and could perhaps do without now, but I still use torque wrenches.

Edit/PS/back on topic: "service interval" by definition equals an oil change (or "swap-it-out" if you're a Yank). No need for greater frequency in my opinion, but no harm either I suppose.

[iansoady]