Changing oil - learn something new every day

[Ken Talbot]

I spent most of today getting Tsunami and Purple Reign ready for next week's trip. This involved (everything times two): clean air filter element, check battery, check middle and final drives, new sparkplugs, carb sync and pilot adjustment, engine oil and filter, flush brake systems, adjust fork air pressure, check air in tires, and adjust rear shocks for carring load. Not that I was trying to set a speed record, but it was obvious that it made sense to let oil drain from one bike while I worked on the other. I also discovered that when it comes time to put in the fresh oil, you can jam a can of Castrol 20w50 into the filler hole and it will stay there draining completely while you work on another job like flushing new brake fluid through. Looks like this:

[skids]

You can find good ways of saving time when you are goofing-off! (kidding).

[dntemp_ca]

Was Yamaha thinking or what when they made these bikes??!! Good pickup, Ken. They forgot to put that feature in the owner's manual. Enjoy your trip. Stay safe and ride smilin'

[jacksf]

Ken, what is that round shiny part of the engine, below the oil container? Looks nothing like mine.

[Ken Talbot]

Ah yes, the magic of lighting and the way it makes dull parts look shiny. Trust me, that part is not really all that shiny up close. For shiny, it would have to look more like this one:

This was shot after sandblasting and glass beading, just before going to the powdercoating shop. This piece came out pretty nice too:

[jacksf]

OMG!!!!

Hmmmm do I clean/polish or ride? Decisions, decisions. That really is fantastic but i'm more of a salvation army type of guy, my garage and yard show it

[red bandit]

yeh, i came across the same thing this spring.

but remember...the plastic oil "can" had not been invented when these bikes were made.

sometimes you just get lucky. lol