Getting ready to do my first oil change, just wanted to confirm i bought a proper oil before I go pouring it in. I picked up a gallon jug of Rotella T 15W-40 from Wal-Mart for 12 bucks. Is this the correct stuff? I saw no motorcycle endorsement on the back of the jug... but it's my understanding this stuff may not have that even though it's still ok to use. Just wanted to confirm.

Also.. what should I look for to know when to replace my oil filter? I won't be replacing it this change as I simply don't have a new one. Best place to buy/order these? Is it something I can pick up at a local auto parts?

Thanks in advanced and happy riding/tinkering this Saturday!  

JASO MA is japanese spec motorcycle oil.

If it is the first oil change on a new bike, I would want to replace the filter. You can get the filter at your local dealership, but it might cost a couple of bucks more. Or you can order from any of the various online motorcycle places such as Dennis Kirk. Problem with on-line orders ends up being the shipping costs, unless you are already ordering something else. You can also change the oil, and whenever you get a filter change that without changing the oil, although you will have to top up the oil a bit to make up for what you lost with the filter.

You will likely have someone jump in here with comments about Rotella being "diesel oil." It is also motorcycle oil, and is considered one of the best.

Maybe soot control is important on my daughter's Savage, Bill.   It's using about a quart of oil every 1500 miles. No visible leaks, although there's are two just noticeable seeps. There's a seep at the head and one where the speedo cable goes into the engine case (got to do the washer fix described on this forum). Never see a drop of oil underneath it. Do not see any smoke out the exhaust or smell oil. The airbox drain only has a couple of drops in it.  That oil's going somewhere, just don't know where. If the rings are going bad, there could be soot getting into the oil.

Serowbot wrote on 08/28/10 at 18:11:32:


small correction, not cases, but oil filter cover.
and I agree with filter change every other oil change.

Well, let's see. My 1970 Renault R4 didn't have an oil filter. My 1981 Twinstar didn't have an oil filter. My 1964 Plymouths recommended oil changes at 4000 miles, and filters every other oil change (and that with leaded gasoline). My present lawn tractors recommend oil changes every 50 hours, and filters every other change. So yes, I have changed oil many times without changing filters.

bill67 wrote on 08/28/10 at 19:54:45:

especially if you only change them once a year.

Generally, the oil filter doesn't hold a lot of oil. On the LS650, about a tenth of a quart or about three ounces. There is undoubtedly more than that trapped in the engine in the various nooks and crannies, as well as the "bathtub" in the cylinder head. Unless you spend a lot of time and effort flushing the engine you are NEVER going to get out all the old oil.

The reason for changing the filter is less about getting the last drops of old "dirty oil" than about replacing the filter media itself. In use the filter traps particles of dirt or metal, and in so doing plugs up some of its pores. That process makes the filter more efficient, but also restricts oil flow and eventually can result in the filter bypass opening. After "break-in" the wear process is pretty slow, which is why the initial oil change comes soon and the next ones at longer intervals. Use the recommended grade of oil, don't bother with oil additives of any sort, change the oil at the manufacturer recommended intervals, and your engine will last a long time.