Hello,
This is my first post here but I have read the FAQs and the oil change link. The link was very helpful but mentioned nothing about fairing removal because it was apparently not a bike with a fairing. My question - Does the fairing need to come off to change the oil on a 2004 GS500F? If not, will I trap a lot of oil in the bottom of the fairing or will it be difficult to reach the filter housing bolts?
I have the oil, filter and filter O-ring but just need a little advice from the group to get started. Many thanks.
Rick
04 GS500F
04 BMW R1150RT
I would recommend it even if you don't need to... I prefer not to get oil all over my fairings if I get a little clumsy. It's pretty simple tho.
Oh, and WELCOME! :thumb:
Welcome! And no, you don't need to take the fairing off if you're careful. You're more likely to spill it over the pipes than the fairing. Oh and make sure you tighten the drain bolt to spec -- it likes to leak if it's lose. And remember, always turn bolts smooth and slow to avoid snapping them. Good luck and enjoy the bike.
I just did the first oil change on my '05 F and I didn't have to remove it. No problem. If you want to remove it just to see how easy it is, go for it. I removed mine once to get a bigger horn not too long ago and it was super easy. Have fun~
welcome.
I'm going to do my first oil filter change tomorrow without taking of the fairing.
I will write up my experiances tomorrow.
lol . no you dont have to take off the fairing . its not even remotly worth it . i'm on my 4th oil change on my 05F ( yes i bught this bike in nov. of 2005 and i already have 6,800 miles on it :P lets you know how much i like to ride ) you will get oil on the motor when you take the oil filter off theres nothing you can do about it . it will drain and run down the bottom side of the filter. soooo . if it gets on the fair. then guess what ? when you get done changing it . have it allll put back in one pice and ready to ride it .... better brake out the water hose and wash it down . orr you can take it to the car was and wash it when your done . but no matter what you gonna get oil on it :) hope this saves you the trouble of taking stuff off that dont need to be take off .
Thanks for the advice.
I know the stealership didn't take the fairing of when they did my bikes first service as they spilt oil all over it :mad:
Quick question about removing the fairing, is that bottom clip that joins the two sides of the faring together easy to get off?
I believe you are talking about the black circular piece. There are actually TWO of them. The other one is on the bottom of the fairings. all you need to do is take a flat-head screwdriver and pry the middle circular piece up. Once you can get a handgrip, pull slightly until you can't pull out anymore (maybe about 1/2 inch???) then you can remove the whole piece.
Yep thats the ones.
Thanks! :thumb:
Ok changed my oil today with the fairing on.
With the right combination of sockets and exension bars it was pretty easy (but time consuming) and I spilt no oil on the fairing at all (unlike the stealership!)
When removing the oil filter housing, loosen the bottom nut half way, the start loosening the top bolts.
You find the oil will then start to trickle out from the bottom of the filter cover, nicely into your drip pan without going everywhere.
When tightening the oil filter cover botls I was paranoid about shearing the studs, so I finger tightened them, then gave them half a turn with the socket. Started the bike up, checked for imediate leaks, then rode down the street and back, checked again, and had to tighten them a half a turn more. Then presto!
Done!
I usually pull mine off for the oil change. It gives me a chance to clean the engine. The problem is I haven't put them back on since the last oil change. I kind if like it. :icon_rolleyes:
The upper fairing looks really out of place without the lower on IMHO.
-Turd.
Hello Again,
Ok, I changed it yesterday with the fairing on just like most of you advised. It was very easy and I got very little on the fairing and a lot on the pipes which was unavoidable.
I did anguish a little over how long it dripped from the pipes after refilling the crankcase. I wiped and wiped and it finally stopped but I worried that I had screwed up the filter gasket. It has not dripped for 24 hours now so it is probably OK.
And finally, it was a LOOONG 12-15 seconds until the oil pressure light went out on the first engine start. It never gave me that horrible "con rod/rod knock" sound but I was very close to stopping the motor with the kill switch when the light finally went out.
I'm about an eighth of an inch high on the diptstick so I should be good for maybe 800 miles or so but I check it more often than that. Many thanks to all of you who gave me advice. I really appreciate it. This was a lot easier than my other bike.
Rick
04 GS500F
04 BMW R1150RT
02 Honda XR70R . . . for the kids . . .