I do my own oil changes. They arent really any more complicated than doing them on a car. On our bikes, the filter is a bit of a pain to get to because of where it is, but you'll be fine. It's best to have a helper, because you want someone holding the bike PERFECTLY straight up to get all the oil out. Our bikes also have two drain plugs. Be sure to take both out. I had a friend help me, and he rocked the bike back and forth a little bit to "shake" the rest of the oil out. Be sure you replace the crush washers on the drain plugs too, otherwise you might have leaks. Good luck!
Bike sits real low so you need a special pan, one of the turkey throw away pans works good.
some filter "O" rings do not come off with the filter so make sure you have the old one off befor install of the new filter.
If you have some 2x6 wood blocks you can pull the bike up on them then another under the stand or you can use anything that you have handy, this gets the bike up in the air and makes it easier to get filter off.
Here is a list of filters just stay away from the fram they are junk.
Motorcycle-Specific Filters.
* AC Delco PF2135 about $10.
* AMSOil SMF103, about $9.
* FRAM PH6017A about $7.
* Honda 15410-MCJ-000, about $12.
* K&N KN-204. Unknown price. Has a metric nut on the end for easy removal.
* NAPA Gold 1358, Carquest 85358, WIX 51358 about $7 to $8.
* Purolator Motorcycle ML16817 about $6. Imported, not made by Purolator.
* STP 07, about $7.
Automobile Filters, about 2.5 inches long.
* Mobil M1-108, about $12.
* Purolator Pure One PL14622 about $6.
* Bosch 3300 about $6. About 64mm, doesn't quite fit oil filter wrenches. A real pain.
* WalMart SuperTech ST6607 about $2. This filter is made by Champion with the same materials inside as the Bosch.
* AC Delco PF1237 about $6.
* NAPA Gold 1365 about $6.
* Purolator L14622 about $4.
* STP S-02876 about $3.
any oil without friction modifiers will work just make sure it is 10-40 Dino or Syn
Job is just so simple and I think is easier than doing my truck.
Don't know where the above information came from, but I use a few of those filters based on other tests. Changing the oil is not difficult, just a little messy. Do not use automotive oil!!!!! Use a regular oil made for motorcycles, 10-40w. There are 2 bolts to remove below and the filter. The bolts I believe are METRIC and are 17mm. Let the bike warm up so the oil thins and comes out easily. Do not wait for 600 miles. Do it now! You'll be amazed at how dark and dirty the oil is with metal shavings. I normally change mine before I have 100 miles.
Here are results of another oil filter test: http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/FilterStudy.html
After you have 2000 miles, you can change to synthetic oils. many of us use Mobil 1 MX4T (don't use the oil in a similar looking bottlemarked V-Twins. It's 20-50 and made for cycles that are air cooled, not water cooled like a VTX).
Just a quick answer, I change my own oil, I use mobil 1 oil for V-twins with wet clutch, called MX-4T, I get it at autozone, and a mobil 1 filter, I think it's the M-110, It's the same filter as the M-108, just a little longer, so it holds more oil. The Oil is a bit pricey, but my bike is worth it. the first change I did with this combination, I noticed a great difference in the sound of my engie, it's alot more quiet. I also noticed that the bike shifts easier and alot quieter, specially into first.
A good point, blackbird. i've found that my bike shifts a LOT smoother with the synthetic oil than it did with dino oil. less "clunk" when goin into first gear. I also forgot about the pan clearance issue. I guess that's because I used the same oil pan I use on my acura. It's no longer an everyday driver. It's an SCCA car that's been set down about 3 1/4" and is about as low as a snake's a**....=) I have a regular oil pan that I use on it, it's just been cut down about 3"
There are some good filters in that list -- without going back to another "forum" were "the boys" did extensive filter testing/disecting and all kinds of things.. I can tell you one filter that was a unanimous NO... Fram... NEVER EVER use a Fram filter... they are certain death... very poor internal design and prone to internal failures which has very detrimental effects on your lubrication system...
The whole filter research program was conducted by MANY very knowledgeable "oil experts" and engine builders/racers over a fairly long period.. almost mind boggling -- and then there were changes in individual filters during the test... and before the test... it's a damned science the way these guys attacked the situation... bottom line for me was I just bit the bullet and buy OEM... OEM was always a quality product in their "list".. just cost a little more, but not as much as an engine... in the middle of the desert... out of cell phone range... with no "refreshment stands" around, etc. :cheers:
I'm with Scars on this re: filters, and it was scary back when I read the article he's noting about the poor quality of Fram filters (since I'd used them off and on since I was 16 in my cars--yikes!--guess I was lucky). On my bikes I have always stuck with Honda OEM filters; cars, stick with OEM whenever I can or another "quality" brand outside of Fram. I guess Fram spends so much on advertising that they don't have enough left in the budget to fund engineering/design.
Something like that, anyway. They probably have to do so much advertising because they sell a crappy product. I also made 2 copiesthe list of "acceptable" filters and put one in my owners manual, and another in the stock tool box location. That way it never vanishes on me. =)
Seems I heard that alot about the Frams. Other than the Frams, what do you guys think about some of the other filters listed, for example the Mobil filters?
I try to use OEM when possible but sometimes for time consideration will buy filter at the local Autozone with the oil.
I use the super tech filter from walmart st6607 and castrol gtx 10w40 oil i change my oil every 2500 to 3000 miles synthetic oil is a waste of money in my opinion theres a guy on the other forum just turned 100.000 miles on dino oil. he said his change interval is 2.000mi ive been using castrol for over thirty years have had all kind of bikes and atvs air cooled and water cooled never had a problem with it.http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=249305&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
Seems I heard that alot about the Frams. Other than the Frams, what do you guys think about some of the other filters listed, for example the Mobil filters?
I try to use OEM when possible but sometimes for time consideration will buy filter at the local Autozone with the oil.
Mobil 1 M1-110 ($10 - 11) is a good filter as is the Bosch 3323 ($5 - 6) I use the Bosch.
Both are well constructed, and have good flow rates from the testing I've seen.
The pure one is a good filter, well constructed and excellent filtering ability, but the flow rate suffered - so I'm a bit leery of it. Rather a larger volume of oil flowin than a smaller volume of slightly cleaner oil.
Of course, can't go wrong with stock either.
Just MHO.
Dillon,
Thanks for the info, I now have a better idea what to use. My last change used a K/N filter that cost me $12.00, wan't aware that you can use car filters which are easier to get and generally cheaper.
I stock up on the Honda filters during any of the HDL sales. Stock up on at least 2 cases of oil during my dealers open house. $15 a case for the Honda oil. I've got 2.5 cases left still.
I'll use the Mobil 1 filter if I happen to run out of OEM filters and need it.
+1 on the OEM filters for my cars....none of my trucks have ever had anythign but the AC Delco oil filter and Havoline 5w30. 175k, 130k(traded too early) and this one's got 44K and never a problem.
I use the Rotella-T synthetic and a wall mart filter, oil change for $20. I use an anti-freeze jug with a square cut out of one side for a drain pan. Slides right under the bike. It is real full when done, need to be careful sliding it out.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Honda VTX 1300 / VTX 1800 Motorcycles Forum
1.4M posts
62.3K members
Since 2005
VTX Cafe Forum is for owners of Honda VTX 1300 or VTX 1800. Join this community to discuss mods, specs, parts & more!