Oil Change

ChicagoKid · 02-05-2013, 12:45 PM

Hello everyone.

Going to change the oil on my 2006 Nomad I bought a few weeks ago which is my first motorcycle. It has 23,000 miles on it and I'm looking for advice on what kind of oil and weight I should use?

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks for any advice.

**cnc** · 02-05-2013, 01:04 PM

I use 10-40 Kawasaki synthetic, but lots of guys use Rotella. Just don't use anything that says energy conserving on the label as they tend to have friction modifiers that can make the clutch slip.
Also there are 2 drains under the engine. Use the lower one as you will get a bit more old oil out and there is a screen in there that will catch any crap before it goes to the filter. If you look somewhere near the top of this garage section you can see a link to download the shop manual. I believe it has a exploded view of that drain and screen assembly.

carsixten · 02-05-2013, 01:35 PM

There are MANY opinions about oil going around out there. I have read many, and asked around for informed opinions. Some is good advice, and much full of hot air.
#1 Do not use regular automotive oil marked "energy conserving". It is not compatible with the wet clutch on your bike.
#2 Synthetics do outperform petroleum, but not by that much.. They provide better lube at start up, and are better when sitting for a long time between use. Try Mobil 1, Citgo, AmsOil, or other name brand. I can buy Mobil 1 for M.C. off the shelf at my local Fleet store for $5 qt., although it's nice to support the local independent bike shop too.
#3 Use a 5W-30, or a 10W-40 Multi Viscosity. Stay away from the 20W-50 because it's too "heavy" at start up, when most engine wear happens. A 5/30, 10/40, or 20/50W all give adequate protection at hot temps, but not when cold. Most riders are well served by 10W-40, either petro or synthetic.
#4 Change the filter. There are several aftermarket filters that are OK. See the Gadget web page:
http://www.gadgetjq.com/oilfilters.htm

#5 Check out the article "The Beginner's Guide to Oil" on page 62 of the March 2013 issue of Motorcycle Cruiser magazine. I recommend a subscription, if you don't already have one.
www.motorcyclecruiser.com

#6 The Nomad is a great bike. You'll love it.

**Jared** · 02-05-2013, 01:41 PM

Canola Oil

cactusjack · 02-05-2013, 02:15 PM

Oh boy, here we go....

caribou · 02-05-2013, 02:42 PM

Just be carefull not to over torque the oil plug, it dosn't take much. I learned that the hard way on my 03 Nomad.

**cnc** · 02-05-2013, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

Canola Oil

Still hoping to be a guest on Iron Chef America are we Jard?

degreaser · 02-05-2013, 03:18 PM

10w40, and have you considered a Wix 51358 oil filter

elvis · 02-05-2013, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChicagoKid

Hello everyone.

Going to change the oil on my 2006 Nomad I bought a few weeks ago which is my first motorcycle. It has 23,000 miles on it and I'm looking for advice on what kind of oil and weight I should use?

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks for any advice.

If you prefer to use Kawi OEM filter, the part number is: 16097-0004
Or you might want to take a look at http://www.hiflofiltro.com/ If you like what you read the part number is HF303 (I've used it several times and liked it).
If you want to buy the Kawi filter wrench, the part number is: 57001-1249
Shell Rotella T6 is an inexpensive and good oil that I switched to about 20K km used used it till I traded in my Nomad at about 60K km
I've used Kawi's own synthetic oil also and liked it, too.
Drain the oil from the kick stand side through the oil screen plug
Inspect the oil screen and be sure to assemble the oil screen correctly.

Torque – Oil Screen Plug: 20 N·m (2.0 kgf·m, 14 ft·lb)
Torque – Oil Filter: 18 N·m (1.8 kgf·m, 13 ft·lb)
Torque – Engine Oil Drain Plug: 20 N·m (2.0 kgf·m, 14 ft·lb)

Enjoy your Nomad!

**ringadingh** · 02-05-2013, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

Canola Oil

Thats only for Honda Cub Cadets.

watchman · 02-05-2013, 04:56 PM

Don't forget to clean the oil screen or pre-filter as some call it. If you don't have the service records on the bike I would suggest changing the rearend fluid and the brake and clutch fluids also.

smokey · 02-05-2013, 08:13 PM

A little tip, don't use the drain plug in the bottom, I always did mine by using the oil screen plug on the side, it is lower than the drain plug and at the same time you get to clean the screen. Elvis said the same, so two us can't be wrong.

Sin City Stan · 02-05-2013, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokey

A little tip, don't use the drain plug in the bottom, I always did mine by using the oil screen plug on the side, it is lower than the drain plug and at the same time you get to clean the screen. Elvis said the same, so two us can't be wrong.

Plus if you use the oil screen plug you can do the oil change from the kickstand.

**ringadingh** · 02-05-2013, 10:30 PM

Check out our Tech section here, theres lots of good info there for you to see.

smokey · 02-05-2013, 11:00 PM

Did I also mention that I use car oil, always have and always will, usually the Castrol GTX 10w40. Never had a problem with any of the 40+ bikes I have had.

02-05-2013, 03:18 PM	#8
degreaser Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 614	10w40, and have you considered a Wix 51358 oil filter __________________ 04 1500 sold, got an 800 now Atlantic Canada
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02-05-2013, 08:13 PM	#12
smokey Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Orleans, ON, Canada Posts: 1,162	A little tip, don't use the drain plug in the bottom, I always did mine by using the oil screen plug on the side, it is lower than the drain plug and at the same time you get to clean the screen. Elvis said the same, so two us can't be wrong. __________________ Smokey Capt(retd) Canadian Forces National President CVFR (Canadian Veteran Freedom Riders) 2010 VN1700 Voyager, ABS www.cvfr.ca VBA #02220
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02-05-2013, 10:30 PM	#14
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Check out our Tech section here, theres lots of good info there for you to see. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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02-05-2013, 11:00 PM	#15
smokey Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Orleans, ON, Canada Posts: 1,162	Did I also mention that I use car oil, always have and always will, usually the Castrol GTX 10w40. Never had a problem with any of the 40+ bikes I have had. __________________ Smokey Capt(retd) Canadian Forces National President CVFR (Canadian Veteran Freedom Riders) 2010 VN1700 Voyager, ABS www.cvfr.ca VBA #02220
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02-05-2013, 12:45 PM	#1
ChicagoKid Jr. Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Chicago Posts: 48	Oil Change Hello everyone. Going to change the oil on my 2006 Nomad I bought a few weeks ago which is my first motorcycle. It has 23,000 miles on it and I'm looking for advice on what kind of oil and weight I should use? Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for any advice. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-05-2013, 01:04 PM	#2
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	I use 10-40 Kawasaki synthetic, but lots of guys use Rotella. Just don't use anything that says energy conserving on the label as they tend to have friction modifiers that can make the clutch slip. Also there are 2 drains under the engine. Use the lower one as you will get a bit more old oil out and there is a screen in there that will catch any crap before it goes to the filter. If you look somewhere near the top of this garage section you can see a link to download the shop manual. I believe it has a exploded view of that drain and screen assembly. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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02-05-2013, 01:35 PM	#3
carsixten Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Central Minnesota Posts: 26	There are MANY opinions about oil going around out there. I have read many, and asked around for informed opinions. Some is good advice, and much full of hot air. #1 Do not use regular automotive oil marked "energy conserving". It is not compatible with the wet clutch on your bike. #2 Synthetics do outperform petroleum, but not by that much.. They provide better lube at start up, and are better when sitting for a long time between use. Try Mobil 1, Citgo, AmsOil, or other name brand. I can buy Mobil 1 for M.C. off the shelf at my local Fleet store for $5 qt., although it's nice to support the local independent bike shop too. #3 Use a 5W-30, or a 10W-40 Multi Viscosity. Stay away from the 20W-50 because it's too "heavy" at start up, when most engine wear happens. A 5/30, 10/40, or 20/50W all give adequate protection at hot temps, but not when cold. Most riders are well served by 10W-40, either petro or synthetic. #4 Change the filter. There are several aftermarket filters that are OK. See the Gadget web page: http://www.gadgetjq.com/oilfilters.htm #5 Check out the article "The Beginner's Guide to Oil" on page 62 of the March 2013 issue of Motorcycle Cruiser magazine. I recommend a subscription, if you don't already have one. www.motorcyclecruiser.com #6 The Nomad is a great bike. You'll love it. __________________ CARSIXTEN '04 Nomad 1500Fi 58500 miles
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02-05-2013, 01:41 PM	#4
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,773	Canola Oil __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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02-05-2013, 02:15 PM	#5
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Oh boy, here we go.... __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-05-2013, 02:42 PM	#6
caribou Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bancroft,Id. Posts: 335	Just be carefull not to over torque the oil plug, it dosn't take much. I learned that the hard way on my 03 Nomad. __________________ Tad "Caribou" Jensen VBA #1976 Bancroft,Idaho 2012 Electa Glide Classic 2003 Nomad FI(Past) _______________________________ I ain't never been lost, powerfull confused for a month or two, but never lost.
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02-05-2013, 04:56 PM	#11
watchman Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Macon, Missouri Posts: 1,175	Don't forget to clean the oil screen or pre-filter as some call it. If you don't have the service records on the bike I would suggest changing the rearend fluid and the brake and clutch fluids also.
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