Hi there,
Last w/e I changed the oil in pammy (2008 zx14 se). Now while this is no biggy to the uber mechanically minded out there who do god knows what to the internals of the motor (shim clearance comes to mind), to a guy who dont know one end of a screwdriver from the other, this is a major technical achievement (my missus is still amazed I didnt manage to phuck it up somehow).

This brings me to a total of 2 maintenance operations I can do on my bike (last year I learned how to change my front brake pads).

But thats beside the point. Following the success of the operation, I have a question.

Do you need to remove the lower fairings to do this operation or is it possible to change the oil without doing this.

Regards

OZ

For me, I just bought the exact size oil filter socket for my ratchet and it couldn't have been easier. As a word to the wise, I'd suggest running the bike for a few minutes to heat the oil up so that it doesn't take you forever waiting on it to drain out. Unscrew the bolt, let it drip for a bit, then when it gets slower drip, unscrew the oil filter and let it drain the rest of the way. For the new oil filter, dip your finger in the new oil and spread that around the oil filter gasket before re-attaching it. Then screw your bolt back into place, fill it up, crank the bike, re-measure the oil and pour the rest of the 4.7 liters in as the oil filter will use a tad of course. From here, you should be good to go. Just make sure you keep an eye on that oil fill indicator and try to get it as exact as you can. Easiest oil change I've ever done to anything requiring oil was my baby and that's a fact. Never had to touch a fairing.

You won't need to check your sightglass every time IF you at the first few oil changes add the recommended amount.Remember what that is...and just add that same every time.I use ONE GALLON EVEN....and that includes a filter change.Without filter change,3 qts,and 3/4 of one more.That fills er perfectly for mine.I ONLY use the sightglass to assure between oil changes that I'm not burning any oil.Mine doesn't....it always sits at the same level.

So would you say 5 quarts with the filter? The shop manual says 4.7 I think, could be wrong though.

manual in hand and reads:

3.7 L (3.9 qt) when filter not changed

4.1 L (4.3 qt)when filter is removed

4.5 L(4.8 qt) when engine is completely dry

fyi if riding wheelies keep the oil level to the high side in the site glass

No...no no no no no no!!!!!!NOT 5 qts!One gallon.One new filter.Finito!(5 qts? )What about stoppies?

* Last updated by: blue07 on 5/21/2010 @ 8:38 AM *

Get your self oil in the 4.1L liter bottle (4.2 Qts) and your set, no need to use sight glass, right on spec, almost.

* Last updated by: extrapilot on 5/21/2010 @ 11:50 AM *

Whats a Gallon?
Whats a quart ?

No...no no no no no no!!!!!!NOT 5 qts!One gallon.One new filter.Finito!(5 qts? )What about stoppies?

Just asking. One gallon is 4 quarts, which is .7 quarts less than the 08 shop manual calls for a complete oil change with new oil filter.

5 quarts is .3 quarts more than the 08 shop manual calls for.

Hence my question.

I'll just fill it to the top mark and be done with it, that way I'll know exactly how much it takes.

4 qts will get yer sightglass level to just above the halfway point(after running for a few minutes)...that's with the filter change.(I wasn't clownin ya Privateer!....hell...you probably are way ahead of me in the motorcycle knowledge thing).My deal works for me....I HATE complicating things!(believe it or not!)

* Last updated by: blue07 on 5/22/2010 @ 9:22 AM *

You gonna fill it to the top mark.....BEFORE or AFTER you start her up?She's gonna change as soon as it starts circulatin.Warm/hot oil expands as well.Can't go wrong with the manual...that's for sure.

mmmmm, well I put 4 litres in mine and it comes 1/2 way up the sight glass when cold..... I figured this would be suffient... Am I wrong ?

OZ

Halfway...halfway is good.Thats what it says"between the upper and lower level marks"(I think).Ya...you should be fine OZ!Check er tonight when she's cooled off and sat for a time.(oh yeah...."tonight" will be your "tomorrow"....sorry )

Buy my oil in a 5 liter bottle and put about 4.5 liters in with a filter change give it a run and put about another .1 to .15 liters ( 150 mils ) to the top of the sight glass while on the center stand, after hot and it has drains back.
I leave the fairing on and do filter in position.

I broke down and purchased the oil filter "wrench" since none of mine are small enough. That sure makes it easy!

Found the part number in the shop manual, looked it up on an OEM Parts site, and there it was.