Simple oil change / oil filter questions

[datter]

Hi all,

I'm about to change the oil in my XS for the first time (well, my first time with this particular bike). I just looked at the bottom of the bike to locate the drain plug and was rather annoyed to find it wedged up behind my exhaust piping. There appears to be no way to get that stupid plug out of there without either removing the exhaust, or removing the oil filter. My questions, if anyone would be interested in offering some advice...

1. I figure I should replace the oil filter at the same time as the oil, so I'll be pulling the oil filter cover off anyway. Is it actually possible to remove the oil drain plug without pulling the entire exhaust system off? It looks like I might have room to jam a long socket wrench in there past where the oil filter cover is (after I remove it), but I'm not 100% sure.
   
2. I can't find my manual(s) for the bike anywhere for some reason, can anyone recommend a good basic oil filter I might be able to pick up at the local hardware store? Size/brand/part number or whatever. I was planning on doing this later this evening, and would rather just run down to the corner for a filter instead of having to wait for the bike shop to open in the morning. Just not sure which filter I'd need.
   
3. I have several quarts of 10w40 here, but I have been reading that 20w40 is what I want for this particular bike. It had 10w40 in it for the past several years, but I can pick up some other stuff if needed when I go hunting for a filter.

Any advice on the above is greatly appreciated.

[dpotter58]

Hi all,

I'm about to change the oil in my XS for the first time (well, my first time with this particular bike). I just looked at the bottom of the bike to locate the drain plug and was rather annoyed to find it wedged up behind my exhaust piping. There appears to be no way to get that stupid plug out of there without either removing the exhaust, or removing the oil filter. My questions, if anyone would be interested in offering some advice...

1. I figure I should replace the oil filter at the same time as the oil, so I'll be pulling the oil filter cover off anyway. Is it actually possible to remove the oil drain plug without pulling the entire exhaust system off? It looks like I might have room to jam a long socket wrench in there past where the oil filter cover is (after I remove it), but I'm not 100% sure.
   
2. I can't find my manual(s) for the bike anywhere for some reason, can anyone recommend a good basic oil filter I might be able to pick up at the local hardware store? Size/brand/part number or whatever. I was planning on doing this later this evening, and would rather just run down to the corner for a filter instead of having to wait for the bike shop to open in the morning. Just not sure which filter I'd need.
   
3. I have several quarts of 10w40 here, but I have been reading that 20w40 is what I want for this particular bike. It had 10w40 in it for the past several years, but I can pick up some other stuff if needed when I go hunting for a filter.

Any advice on the above is greatly appreciated.

I have stock pipes and it's not a problem to reach the plug on mine. Fram makes or made a filter, PN CH 6002 but I don't know how easy they are to find. None of the auto parts stores by me stock them so i use that as an excuse to ride by the dealership to look around... I use 20 w 40 castrol in mine and like it.

[CatatonicBug]

Are you running with the stock headers? With the stock setup, there is no need to remove anything to get to the oil drain plug or the oil filter cover. As for the part number, there are lots of places that you can get them, but here is a list, copied from another thread:

autozone SP2

Napa 4933

STP: SMO-2

Wix 24933

Fram CH6002

**Make sure it has BOTH rubber O-rings in the kit, one for the chamber, the small one for the filter bolt!**

The oil should be fine, if that's what you have on hand. If nothing else, run it for a while, test it out and report back with your findings after the summer riding season! There is sure to be another oil thread by then!

If you need a manual, you can download a PDF version of both of them from my website (link in my signature). HTH

[DGXSER]

You got a great list here for filters. As to the oil type or viscosity, I am not sure how warm it gets up there, but 20W40 (or 50 whatever they are making these days) is recommended for temps above about 15 C.

[datter]

hmm, I'm reasonably sure this isn't stock exhaust being a 4 into 1 that pretty much completely blocks the drain plug. I guess I'm in my own situation with this, and will just hope I can get at the plug once the filter cover is off... looks like it might work. If not I'll have to yank the exhaust, which is not something I look forward to in the slightest. New oil early last year and not a hell of a lot of riding, maybe it would just somehow be "ok". I'll have to think on that if it appears the exhaust needs to be removed.

Great info on the oil filter, oil and manual too. All of this is very much appreciated.

[cywelchjr]

hmm, I'm reasonably sure this isn't stock exhaust being a 4 into 1 that pretty much completely blocks the drain plug. I guess I'm in my own situation with this, and will just hope I can get at the plug once the filter cover is off... looks like it might work. If not I'll have to yank the exhaust, which is not something I look forward to in the slightest. New oil early last year and not a hell of a lot of riding, maybe it would just somehow be "ok". I'll have to think on that if it appears the exhaust needs to be removed.

Great info on the oil filter, oil and manual too. All of this is very much appreciated.

4 into 1 would not be stock, and yes, that is one of the problems with many of those. I'm lucky as my Jardine 4 into 2 leaves the drain plug and filter area nice and clear.

[MaximPhil]

Canadian Tire carry the Fram though often on a different shelf than the car filters. Tech tips will tell you mare about Oil than you could possibly want to know.
Maxim Phil