Changing Motorcycle Oil Filters

Series Summary

The first petroleum-powered motorcycle was designed and built by German inventors in 1885. There was a steam-powered, two-wheeled vehicle that was demonstrated at fairs and circuses in 1867 in the eastern United States. Modern day motorcycles consist of a chassis, an engine, a transmission, wheels and tires, a brake system, suspension coils and instruments to gauge speed, distance and other important variables. There are many types of motorcycles now, including pocket bikes, choppers, sport bikes, motocross bikes, mopeds, scooters, cruisers and touring motorcycles. In this free video series on motorcycles, an experienced motorcycle technician explains motorcycle maintenance and basic repairs. Find out how to change motorcycle oil filters, how to replace motorcycle fenders and how to balance motorcycle tires. Get information on replacing hand grips, cleaning gas tanks and salvaging motorcycle parts, as well. Learn everything about caring for and maintaining motorcycles in this free video series.

Video Transcript

"How to change your motorcycle's oil filter. The first thing that you're going to want to do is locate the oil filter on your motorcycle. On this particular bike, we have a spin on filter which is similar to most modern car oil filters. And in order to change this oil filter, the first thing you're going to want to do is drain your oil from your motorcycle. So you're going to need to locate where your drain bolt is and remove all the oil from the motorcycle. On this particular bike, the drain plug is right here. Having a convenient oil filter wrench like this certainly makes the job a lot easier to remove your oil filter and it also will not damage the oil filter. I have an oil filter wrench here that I just installed on my oil filter, going to spin it free. Make sure you have a catch pan because you will lose some oil. Once I have my oil filter removed, I'm going to make sure that I have this o-ring present on the old oil filter and make that it's not stuck to the mating surface therefore when you install your new one, you won't have what you call a double gasket and have an oil leak. When I install the new filter, I'm going to make sure that I have the correct oil filter, an OEM one. I'm going to make sure to have clean oil on the gasket surface or this o-ring. Going to install it with this oil filter wrench that I have here and a common mistake that the home mechanic often does is over torques his oil filter. Refer to your owner's manual for the torque spec with this oil filter wrench it will allow to get a torque wrench on there. So you never want to over torque your oil filter. After you've installed your oil filter on your motorcycle, you're going to reinstall your drain bolt with a new gasket. Torque that to the proper spec, check your owner's manual to add the correct amount of oil and the correct oil and then you're going to follow procedures to check it and that will conclude how to change your oil filter."