Although you hardly know anything about mechanics or are an expert in motorcycle maintenance, it never hurts to know some basic recommendations to carry out some simple tasks that will leave the motorcycle in perfect condition. And one of them is to change the oil when appropriate.



WHEN TO CHANGE IT?

This may be the question that one more asks before getting down to work and the answer is to do it, as the experts recommend, the first oil change, which is one of the most important, must be done after the 1,000 or 2,000 km. Once this initial check has been passed, which usually coincides with the break-in period recommended by the manufacturers, the oil change should be carried out according to the manufacturer's recommendations. In general, changes are usually established every 6,000 kilometers, although in recent times new technologies and new compounds have led some brands to establish changes every 15,000 kilometers for their more advanced models.


This important task should not be neglected, since failure to do so may cause the frame parts to stop working properly and eventually lead to a more serious failure. 


HOW TO DO IT?

Once you know the obligation to change the oil every so often when this two-wheeled vehicle demands it, now the next thing is to learn the (simple) steps to do it. First of all, we must make sure we have the new oil that we want to add, as well as the rest of the spare parts, such as the cap washer, the oil filter (if we have to change it) and all the tools and supplies that we will need. 


In the case of such a viscous liquid, the first thing to do is prepare the area where this mechanical task will be carried out so as not to put all the lost oil. Thus, it is necessary to have a container to collect the old oil and prevent it from spilling on the ground, without forgetting the important detail that this oil must be taken to a recycling point (the well-known Clean Points that exist in cities usually allow individuals bring old motor oil but in small quantities, as it must be taken into account that official workshops PAY for this recycling service). Another detail to take into account is that it is totally forbidden to change the oil of a vehicle in the middle of the street or in public or community garages.


Regarding the preparation of the motorcycle, it is essential to start the engine so that the oil flows better , but be careful that it is not too hot and can be a danger. With this recommendation, the following is to place the motorcycle straight in the vertical plane, so that the old oil does not remain in some nook of the engine and remains without coming out (here it is also advisable to follow the manufacturer's recommendations as some models are designed to remove the oil when resting on the side leg).


The drain nut is then removed and the oil is allowed to drain into a chosen bottle or container. If we want to complete the oil change with the replacement of the oil filter, this will be the moment to disassemble it and install the new one. This detail is important when pouring in the new oil, because if the filter has been changed, the amount to be added will be higher than if we had not changed this element. When changing the filter, pay attention to the O-ring on the filter cover. This should be changed (a new one is usually included in the new filter), and the cover must also be mounted with care not to pinch the gasket (some gaskets come with a viscous substance to avoid this, otherwise it is advisable to apply a little oil). 


It is also important to pay attention to the dirt filter that some motorcycles have in the lower area of ​​the crankcase, designed to collect small metal debris from the clutch or gearbox. In this case, after removing the cap and removing the filter grid, we will have to clean it. Once the emptying process is completed, we will mount the emptying screw, being always recommended to replace its corresponding washer. It must also be taken into account that the drain nuts are made of steel and normally tighten on aluminum casings, so it would not be the first time that if we tighten roughly we end up passing the crankcase thread. As always, tightening according to the recommended torque with the help of a dynamometer allows us to avoid these evils.


The last thing is to fill with the new oil in the quantity and type recommended by the manufacturer. This is done through the pouring hole, having obviously removed the cap ... Once it is poured, we will have to start the engine and run it until it reaches the normal working temperature. Then we will turn it off and wait a few minutes, to verify that the oil level is adequate through the peephole or the corresponding cleat.

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