How to change oil.

[samkjr]

Hey everybody. I did a search and there are just way too many post on changing oil. I plan on changing mine for the first time this weekend or the next.It all depends on when Idah's frame adapters come in the mail. At 6600 miles this will be the first change other than the 800 mile checkup. I also plan on going synthetic. Most likely amsoil.
Can someone post a link to or type their own directions on how to fully change out all the oil. From all the post I am seeing, there are several different methods. From the sounds of it I think I want to use the secondary plug where some little spring is instead of the traditional drain plug.
As I am mechanically still shaking hands with my bike getting to know its nuts and bolts(literally) clear directions and good pictures is what makes a GOOD set of directions.

thanks for the help. Once i get familiar with the process, I know I will save good money and keep it out of the dealers hands.



Clearly a side note here. with all the advanced lubricating properties of amsoil, money aside, would it be a good oil to use in my truck? Forget the fact that I would need 6 quarts of it.

[tkd]

Samkjr,

Changing the oil in a Nomad is very straightforward. You do not need a jack. There is a link on Gadget's fixit page that walks you through the procedure step by step. I think you are headed in the right direction by changing the oil via the oil screen plug.

Hopefully this link will work.

http://www.gadgetjq.com/vulcan_1500_oil-sys.htm

The hardest part about changing the oil is literally putting the socket on the socket wrench. I changed mine after having the bike about 3 weeks just because I wanted piece of mind. I didn't buy in new, so even though I had records, it made me feel better.

Do not be intimidated by it--it's easy. Took me about 20 minutes the first time because I was super careful. I would guess I could do it in 10 now.

Only thing I found that was good to have was a long funnel. Made filling easier.

Cars are much more difficult & messy in my opinion

[djh]

THANKS, FOR THE INFORMATION. MOST HELPFULL DJH

[bigdave]

i have used amsoil im my jeep and it does real well. im also thinking about changing to amsoil im my nomad next oil change instead of mobil one

[mrfuni]

samkjr

From another thread...

Mobil 1 V Twin 20/50
Can't prove it but I swear it runs cooler and quieter. No clutch slip.

Always used Amsoil in the past, but I'm liking this Mobil 1

Joe

[caddman11]

Sometimes the oil filter can be a bitch, that was my biggest snag---too tight from the dealer.

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by caddman11

Sometimes the oil filter can be a bitch, that was my biggest snag---too tight from the dealer.

Ive had mine so tight that Ive broken the oil filter wrench, I put them on just hand tight, if I reef it on hand tight it gets difficult to remove with tools. Just a bit tighter than snug seems to work for me.

[csguru]

I use Amsoil on all of my vehicles except an old Saturn I have. Synthetic oils don't show colored smoke when the burn and the Saturn is an oil burner so I use fossil to keep an eye on it.

[tkd]

+1 on the Mobil 1 V-twin 20w-50. In the summer in Minnesota I'm all for it. This fall I'm going to switch to the 10w-40 due to cooler temps.

[VulcanE]

samkjr,
If you drain the oil through the "pre filter screen", you will get more of the old oil out if you leave it on the side stand, and raise the right side up a little by putting a little block of wood or something under the right crashbar where it mounts to the lower frame.

[dogdoc]

if you dont have an oil filter wrench, just use a pipe wrench about 12 incher, and it will work it right off nicely.

[samkjr]

Thanks aggain for all the tips. I went to go do the job today. Went up to the Advanced to get the filter... not in stock. Went ahead and ordered the K&N with chrome cover. it was $21. It'll be here friday so I will try again next weekend. and I have decided to give the mobil 1 20w50 a try.


Oh and purely out of laziness here. I know I could look it up If i need to but I know someone knows off the top of their head..

How much oil do i put in after emptying?

[burkazoid]

Originally Posted by samkjr

Thanks aggain for all the tips. I went to go do the job today. Went up to the Advanced to get the filter... not in stock. Went ahead and ordered the K&N with chrome cover. it was $21. It'll be here friday so I will try again next weekend. and I have decided to give the mobil 1 20w50 a try.


Oh and purely out of laziness here. I know I could look it up If i need to but I know someone knows off the top of their head..

How much oil do i put in after emptying?

I think the manual says straight up three quarts. I put on the long bosch filter 3323, and it took just over three quarts. I couldn't really say exactly how much. Measure carefully at that point or you'll be taking some out.

I'd be interested in your opinion of the Mobil 1 20w-50. That's what I've used since about 4500 miles on my bike, and I love it. It seems to run quieter and cooler to me.

[formikec]

Originally Posted by csguru

Synthetic oils don't show colored smoke when the burn...

Interesting...I didn't know that. So, if you look at a used vehicle, and it has synthetic, there is basically no way to know it burns oil just by running it?