SuzukiSavage.com - Changed the oil today

Steve530

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Knoxville, TN
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Re: Changed the oil today
Reply #15 - 12/13/05 at 08:00:53

kikuchiyo wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:

First oil change! I guess I held the bike not exactly at the 90 degrees angle because after 2.3 quarts the oil still would not show through the oil window. I played with the angle and shortly realized that I had to drain half a quart. I decided to drain excess oil slowly but it was windy that day and during one powerful gust my face got splashed with draining oil. In addition at that very moment the plug escaped my oily fingers and fell into the bucket. By the time I recovered the plug almost all the oil was gone. I had to clean up and drive to the store for another quarts. This time I did everything right and even considered the direction and speed of the wind. The whole debacle took me almost two hours. At the end it got dark and I ended my first oil change with the balancing act of holding the bike in one hand and flashlight in the other while looking for the oil level.
Good memories!

Glas I'm not the only one.

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'97 Black / 1/2 white spacer
155 main jet / 55 pilot jet / Dyna muffler
snorkel removed / K&N drop in / seat raised
Slipstreamer SS30 windshield

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Steve530

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Knoxville, TN
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Re: Changed the oil today
Reply #16 - 12/13/05 at 08:06:44

bentwheel wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:

Atta boy Steve. Now you enjoy that warm fuzzy feeling you get knowing you did the job yourself, with the added benefit of saving money by not taking it to the stealership and knowing the job is done right.

Yea, this bike is a '97, so it's way out of warranty. That's the only reason I'd ever take one to a dealer. So it won't be seeing the inside of the dealer shop if I can help it.

Steve

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'97 Black / 1/2 white spacer
155 main jet / 55 pilot jet / Dyna muffler
snorkel removed / K&N drop in / seat raised
Slipstreamer SS30 windshield

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Steve530 Senior Member 2005 No Login Offline Posts: 452 Knoxville, TN Gender:	Re: Changed the oil today Reply #17 - 12/13/05 at 08:07:39 Panther wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12: I lightly burned my neck, with the exhaust, looking under the bike for the plug. Everyone thought it was a hicki Note to self: Wear a shirt with a collar when changing oil.
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Steve530 Senior Member 2005 No Login Offline Posts: 452 Knoxville, TN Gender:	Re: Changed the oil today Reply #18 - 12/13/05 at 08:09:42 Digger wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12: That may be true, but rest assured, you'll find some others! When you're trying to learn, you just have to hope you don't damage more than you fix.
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Steve530

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Knoxville, TN
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Re: Changed the oil today
Reply #19 - 12/13/05 at 08:12:32

Ed L. wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:

Here's a tip that works on my '02, place the kickstand on a piece of 2x4 (1 1/2 inch high) and fill the crankcase till you just see the oil at the bottom of the sight window. When you rock the bike up to level the oil should be close to the middle of the glass.

I thought about using a 2/4, but I was afraid that it would make the bike too vertical and unstable. Thanks for the tip about the level.

Steve

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'97 Black / 1/2 white spacer
155 main jet / 55 pilot jet / Dyna muffler
snorkel removed / K&N drop in / seat raised
Slipstreamer SS30 windshield

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Steve530

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2005 No Login

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Knoxville, TN
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Re: Changed the oil today
Reply #20 - 12/13/05 at 08:14:10

BS37066 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:

I put two 2x4's under my side stand (stacked flat, height about 3.5") and check the level with a level laid across the starter. Just a slight tweak of the handlebar generally puts the bike perfectly level.

I would use one 2x4 tall, but I like the stability of using two flat. Besides, it's easy to find scrap 2x4's.

YMMV

Thanks for the tip. I guess you just needed to straighten the handlebars to level it up then.

Steve

Steve

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'97 Black / 1/2 white spacer
155 main jet / 55 pilot jet / Dyna muffler
snorkel removed / K&N drop in / seat raised
Slipstreamer SS30 windshield

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Steve530 Senior Member 2005 No Login Offline Posts: 452 Knoxville, TN Gender:	Re: Changed the oil today Reply #21 - 12/13/05 at 08:18:05 LANCER wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12: Ya'll doin good...real good. Give yourself a hand......... Thanks. I guess my experience with car engines helps, but I've always been a little confused by smaller engines. Steve
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Steve530 Senior Member 2005 No Login Offline Posts: 452 Knoxville, TN Gender:	Re: Changed the oil today Reply #22 - 12/13/05 at 08:19:42 SavageDude wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12: Humm! Whenever I open the drain plug, at least 2 qts of it come out. This shady mechanic must be lucky then Yea I opened the wrong drain plug at first. It's the one on the right front of the crankcase about 3 or four inches from the top. Maybe it's the overfill drain? Steve
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Reelthing Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Fish or ride that is the question Posts: 5397 Houston,Tx Gender:	Re: Changed the oil today Reply #23 - 12/13/05 at 08:35:59 I can read on the wireing diagram for '86 the nutrl light is labeled a low oil light incorrectly - so that may have been it's original planned use by the way if you folks have only burned yourselves once - your not trying very hard!
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Digger

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Ya gotta be tough to
ride singles!

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Colorado Springs, CO
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Re: Changed the oil today
Reply #24 - 12/13/05 at 09:59:40

BS37066 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:

I put two 2x4's under my side stand (stacked flat, height about 3.5") and check the level with a level laid across the starter. Just a slight tweak of the handlebar generally puts the bike perfectly level.

I would use one 2x4 tall, but I like the stability of using two flat. Besides, it's easy to find scrap 2x4's.

YMMV

I prop the bike up the same way. To make myself feel better, I wrap a tie-down strap around the frame on the left side, just aft of the fuel tank. I then secure the other end of the tie-down to something stable and snug it up a bit. Now, the bike can't tip over if I bump against it.

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Digger
2001, Metallic Glacial Blue, Raptor Petcock, Verslavy (first hole) (otherwise, mechanically, the bike is stock), 13,xxx miles
I don't own a cage.
www.astronautbiker.com

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Steve530 Senior Member 2005 No Login Offline Posts: 452 Knoxville, TN Gender:	Re: Changed the oil today Reply #25 - 12/13/05 at 14:23:37 Reelthing wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12: by the way if you folks have only burned yourselves once - your not trying very hard! Hey, give me a break, I'm a newbie. I'm sure I'll figure out some creative ways to burn myself given time. Steve
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jimbrough Ex Member	Re: Changed the oil today Reply #26 - 12/13/05 at 14:28:23 Just make sure it's not with the female of the species!
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Steve530 Senior Member 2005 No Login Offline Posts: 452 Knoxville, TN Gender:	Re: Changed the oil today Reply #27 - 12/13/05 at 14:31:18 Thanks, Digger. That's a good idea. It wouldnt' rally take much to kee the bike from tipping over. Steve
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