Remove the plugs and inspect them but do not change them out for new ones unless they exhibit some problem that makes this necessary. The stock plugs can last a LONG time.

As for oil and filter, you have asked a very controversial question on which there are only slightly fewer differing opinions than there are readers of this forum

I recommend a full synthetic oil of about the right weight and the second number in the weight (i.e. the 40 in 20w40) is much more important. The most important thing about oil is to make sure you do NOT use any oil which says "energy conserving" on the label. These types of oil contain additives which can cause the clutch to slip.

As for the filter, look at the sticky post for the 1300 that discusses part numbers and other aftermarket and repair parts. One of these sticky threads includes a list of oil filters that will work.

 

My doubt with the oil was because i see a lot of people recommending Rotella T6....which is 5w-
And that is not the viscosity for this bike.
I live in Miami, so it is very hot all year. Only 1 month is pretty cold.....and cold is 45-55F
75% of the year we are 75-100 F

So i heard that if you live in hot climate you better stick to a 20-40 oil.

I want to get this clear in order to do the best oil change i can, in order to not think about it for a long time.


Thanks

Leandro

 

It looks like a "C"model. Can tell by the fenders. My "S" has longer fenders that cover more of the wheel

 

People in Arizona run Rotella T6. Don't overthink it too much.

 

5 is the cold flow number on start up.

 

I live in Phoenix. I have been using Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 for the the last 9 years. No problems. Usually change oil 4500 to 6000 miles.

 

After some research on here (the folks here are great, btw), I went with Mobil 1 oil and never looked back. I'm in Australia and an average summer day can be 105F. I checked the oil the other day after changing it a year ago and it was still yellow (rather than black)! Oil choice is personal and probably doesn't matter as much as we think, but I'm happy with Mobil 1.

 

Had my 2006 C now for 7 years. Used Rotella T6, Mobil 1. After 3K miles, Mobil 1 seems to remove more of the "clunk" as I have noticed so far.

This year, got a killer deal on Amsoil. Will have to see how I like that one.

Changed the Air Filter to K&N a few years ago.

Just my 2 cents.

 

K&N makes a motorcycle oil change kit. It comes with a filter and 1 gallon of oil. I did this on my 1800 and it cost me a whole $70. It is full synthetic. I live in Texas and have had no issues.

 

I use Redline and it definately helped with making shifting smooter. K&N air and oil filter.

 

Thank You all for your responses.

For this Oil change...which is my first one on my 2007 -vtx 1300 C-//////
I will go for the Rotella T6 with the oil filter i find on auto store....most probably the purolator.

Also i already changed the Air filter for the Honda OEM.

I will try with rotella this time....and next oil change i will try the mobil 1 to be able to compare.
And next the Redline wich i did not even heard about it till now.


Thank You!

 

You don't have to try different oils. I have already done that.

 

For those of us who do not know what all the numbers mean, what is your conclusion from these analyses?

 

These links are good places to start:

Oil Analysis Explained

Oil analysis is a routine activity for analyzing oil health, oil contamination and machine wear. Read about oil analysis tests, interpreting oil analysis data and more.

www.machinerylubrication.com

Used Oil Analysis - Bob is the Oil Guy

How your Blackstone sample is processed by David Newton Used Oil Analysis – we all talk about it, and many can understand the results, but few people have had the opportunity to actually see how the process works. One of the more popular analysis labs is Blackstone Laboratories of Fort Wayne...

bobistheoilguy.com

Motor Oil 101 - Chapter One - Operating Temperatures and Viscosity - Bob is the Oil Guy

Chapter One Understanding what viscosity grades mean can be confusing. The average driver just tries to follow what is in the owner’s manual – this is a good practice. Some owner’s manuals allow for different grades based on the predicted operating temperature. For example, they may specify a...

bobistheoilguy.com

All of the tests are good. The only oil that was lower in the testing categories was the Mobil 1, 15W-50 where it was low in the viscosity test. See Attached. I would still the 15W-50 oil except for convivence in that it comes in a 5qt jug. I am continuing to use the Rotella 5W-40 in the handy 4qt jug. If you look at the latest test of the Rotella and compare to the previous two tests of Rotella there is a difference in several elements, i.e. Molybdenum, calcium magnesium and phosphorus. I have those outlined in RED. Shell did change 5W-40 from the previous test. Molybdenum is considerably lower than previous tests which is good for motorcycle clutches. The new Rotella bottle no longer has the SN rating on the bottle but still advertises that the oil meets JASO MA/MA2 ratings.

 

Hello Guys!
I wanted to thank you for your advice.

After All I made the Oil change my self.....and it was a GREAT CHANGE.
My first Oil change on a motorcycle!
It took me about an hour because i forgot the funnel at another location.
So i had to use a cut plastic bottle with a smaller end.....kind of like the ones that runners use in order to sip water and close and open.

Anyway.

I went with Rotella. T6- 15-40 that i found in Walmart. $20 bucks
(They did not have the 5-40 i wish it is fine anyway)
I got the oil filter at NAPA parts-

NAPA GOLD 1358- $13.99

I ended up squeezing all the old oil from the bike....making sure to shake it....stand....move to sides....let it drain as it was hot.

I also got the turkey aluminum thingy.....and it was great.

The Whole 4quarts went in.....and it ended up leveling perfect....so i believe this bike fits the 4 quarts without an issue.....i do not believe in the 3.9 that the manual states.

I took the Vtx for a 30 minutes ride.

WHAT A CHANGE!!!!

MY GOD!!!!

Automatically the bike was idling a whole lot better....the cobra muffler sounding a lot better.
The transmission working a lot better.
Almost no clunk.
Shifting incredibly better!

And this was after 30 minutes of doing the oil change.
I cant imagine how great it will be after more hours of use.

SUPER HAPPY with the result.

Thanks To you guys, and your advice.

My Miami friends still believe I made a mistake...and they say "You should only use motorcycle oil....."
They all pay $120 for oil change.

I paid $35


THANK YOU AGAIN

Now lets go riding.

 

Hello Guys!
I wanted to thank you for your advice.

After All I made the Oil change my self.....and it was a GREAT CHANGE.
My first Oil change on a motorcycle!
It took me about an hour because i forgot the funnel at another location.
So i had to use a cut plastic bottle with a smaller end.....kind of like the ones that runners use in order to sip water and close and open.

Anyway.

I went with Rotella. T6- 15-40 that i found in Walmart. $20 bucks
(They did not have the 5-40 i wish it is fine anyway)
I got the oil filter at NAPA parts-

NAPA GOLD 1358- $13.99

I ended up squeezing all the old oil from the bike....making sure to shake it....stand....move to sides....let it drain as it was hot.

I also got the turkey aluminum thingy.....and it was great.

The Whole 4quarts went in.....and it ended up leveling perfect....so i believe this bike fits the 4 quarts without an issue.....i do not believe in the 3.9 that the manual states.

I took the Vtx for a 30 minutes ride.

WHAT A CHANGE!!!!

MY GOD!!!!

Automatically the bike was idling a whole lot better....the cobra muffler sounding a lot better.
The transmission working a lot better.
Almost no clunk.
Shifting incredibly better!

And this was after 30 minutes of doing the oil change.
I cant imagine how great it will be after more hours of use.

SUPER HAPPY with the result.

Thanks To you guys, and your advice.

My Miami friends still believe I made a mistake...and they say "You should only use motorcycle oil....."
They all pay $120 for oil change.

I paid $35


THANK YOU AGAIN

Now lets go riding.

Tell your friends to 'pound sand'. Your warmer weather, the 15-40 will make no difference to it. Spend the $$ you saved on other things for the bike.

 

Your Miami friends have more money than brains You made a good decision and had the satisfaction of doing it yourself.

 

I have another oil analysis. This analysis was performed on Mobil Delvac synthetic 15W-40 with 7,300 miles on the oil.