Hey guys,
Well I tried to change my oil yesterday but ran into a problem. I couldnt access the oil filter. Now I was doing it at a friends house so I didnt have access to the internet, but I think I read the wiki at least 7 times so its pretty much memorized. When I went back to look at it today, I think my bike was maybe dropped and more damage than I thought. Anyway, I cant reach the filter from the pipes. I think they are bent. I looked at where the connect to the engine, and they have different bolts on them! I am worried if i take them off to replace the oil filter, I might not be able to get them back on. Here are pictures attached, any advice is greatly appreciated. Also, does your bikes have the same bolts on the frame as mine in the last picture?
01 GS500.
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj224/shulukeshuluke/n11604201_31357318_1099.jpg)
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj224/shulukeshuluke/n11604201_31357317_593.jpg)
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj224/shulukeshuluke/n11604201_31357319_1568.jpg)
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj224/shulukeshuluke/n11604201_31357320_2048.jpg)
I also leave my bike at my cousins, so Ill have to take more pictures later if needed.
???
Weird.
Is your exhaust a stocker?
My bike ('01) is pretty much stock, muffler included, and I can assure you that you should be able to do the whole procedure comfortably.
Looking at your pics, I'd say that you can't even unscrew the drain bolt. :dunno_white:
And the headers seem different than stock...Don't know about the bolts though. :dunno_white:
Keep us informed. Cheers :cheers:
It was my understanding that the headers had to be pulled to change the oil.
That is a Vance and Hines exhaust and yes that style of exhaust has to be removed to change the oil filter.Make sure you get fresh exhaust gaskets or you'll have engine issues.V & H exhaust is the only exhaust I know of that requires removal to change the filter.
Yeah sorry, its a Vance and Hines exhaust.. Are the exhaust gaskets stock? If so, I can go to the Suzuki dealership and pick up a set from them. Yeah the exhaust was really close to the drain bolt. I still got the drain bolt off and at least changed the oil. Next month I will change everything again. Thanks for the help!
Most dealerships can get it for you, but you can also just order the part online at places like
www.bikebandit.com
www.mrcycles.com
www.ronayers.com
Just go throught the parts fiche and find it.
Also order up some new socket head bolts for the exhuast as the ones you have in there are ghetto fabulous(i.e. the the one hex head you have on there).
Yep,there's no crossover pipe between the tubes....I can drive a Mack truck through my stockers! :icon_mrgreen:
I get my exhaust gaskets from this guy on ebay for a few bucks and he ships QUICK.Just send him an email.I buy stuff from him frequently and never had a problem.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-400-425-450-500-650-2-CYL-EXHAUST-GASKETS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35595QQihZ010QQitemZ200195774015
It isn't very difficult to remove once you've done it a time or two. Use a long piece of safety wire or baling wire to remove the springs by making a big loop, hooking the spring with the loop, and pulling on the loop with a pair of pliers.
The gaskets should not require replacement. I've done numerous oil changes and never touched the gaskets.
Quote from: GeeP on March 02, 2008, 07:39:17 PM
It isn't very difficult to remove once you've done it a time or two. Use a long piece of safety wire or baling wire to remove the springs by making a big loop, hooking the spring with the loop, and pulling on the loop with a pair of pliers.
The gaskets should not require replacement. I've done numerous oil changes and never touched the gaskets.
This being the first time he's changed oil in his bike,it maybe a good idea to have some on hand just in case one maybe damaged.
I am just one of those guys that plays things a little to safe.I usually replace those little nickel and dime items.I'm so paranoid about engine failure I even change the copper washers on the oil plug and filter cover nuts at every oil change. :cookoo:
replace that hex head bolt on the headers. hell, replace them all, then you know the threads are fresh-er. put anti-seize on the threads, while you have the headers disconnected, sand the rust off at the lower junction ;)
if the pipes are bent a little, you can man handle it into position, just don't pry against the cooling fins... big no no.
if you get a little oil on the V&H, it smells like a truck stop for a little while, so I stuff paper towels on them until the change is done.
do you know the correct way to check the oil ?
either way, on the center stand or with you balancing it, on level ground, unscrew the oil dipstick, wipe, set it back on (do not screw it in!) and check. i do it thrice to be certain. :)
check it at fill-ups for piece of mind. :)
Quote from: ben2go on March 02, 2008, 06:53:21 PM
I get my exhaust gaskets from this guy on ebay for a few bucks and he ships QUICK.Just send him an email.I buy stuff from him frequently and never had a problem.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-400-425-450-500-650-2-CYL-EXHAUST-GASKETS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35595QQihZ010QQitemZ200195774015
Emailed him this morning and I will see what he says. Thank you for pointing this out to me!
Quote from: ohgood on March 02, 2008, 10:21:49 PM
replace that hex head bolt on the headers. hell, replace them all, then you know the threads are fresh-er. put anti-seize on the threads, while you have the headers disconnected, sand the rust off at the lower junction ;)
if the pipes are bent a little, you can man handle it into position, just don't pry against the cooling fins... big no no.
if you get a little oil on the V&H, it smells like a truck stop for a little while, so I stuff paper towels on them until the change is done.
do you know the correct way to check the oil ?
either way, on the center stand or with you balancing it, on level ground, unscrew the oil dipstick, wipe, set it back on (do not screw it in!) and check. i do it thrice to be certain. :)
check it at fill-ups for piece of mind. :)
Yeah I checked the oil the right way.. (the bike should be warm right?).. haha I dont know how many times I read on this site not to screw the dipstick back in and off to test. :) I will look into getting the bolts this week.
Thanks for the advice everyone, and ill keep this post updated!
Quote from: shuluke link=topic=39979.msg449390#msg44939quote]0 date=1204557629]
Quote from: ben2go on March 02, 2008, 06:53:21 PM
I get my exhaust gaskets from this guy on ebay for a few bucks and he ships QUICK.Just send him an email.I buy stuff from him frequently and never had a problem.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-400-425-450-500-650-2-CYL-EXHAUST-GASKETS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35595QQihZ010QQitemZ200195774015
Emailed him this morning and I will see what he says. Thank you for pointing this out to me!
You're welcome.
Quote from: shuluke on March 03, 2008, 08:20:29 AM
Quote from: ohgood on March 02, 2008, 10:21:49 PM
replace that hex head bolt on the headers. hell, replace them all, then you know the threads are fresh-er. put anti-seize on the threads, while you have the headers disconnected, sand the rust off at the lower junction ;)
I will look into getting the bolts this week.
I think he was joking about replacing the bolts. I've never heard of anyone (other than ben2go) doing that with an oil change. Then again, it's not a
bad idea if you really want to do it. :laugh: :thumb:
Quote from: beRto on March 03, 2008, 12:26:55 PM
Quote from: shuluke on March 03, 2008, 08:20:29 AM
Quote from: ohgood on March 02, 2008, 10:21:49 PM
replace that hex head bolt on the headers. hell, replace them all, then you know the threads are fresh-er. put anti-seize on the threads, while you have the headers disconnected, sand the rust off at the lower junction ;)
I will look into getting the bolts this week.
I think he was joking about replacing the bolts. I've never heard of anyone (other than ben2go) doing that with an oil change. Then again, it's not a bad idea if you really want to do it. :laugh: :thumb:
the ohgood-cant-communicate monster has re-surfaced. i didn't mean at every oil change, just when ya get a chance :)
:thumb:
haha.. I want everything on the bike to look good. I guess its not noticeable so Ill just search around for bolts... Thanks guys!
Quote from: beRto on March 03, 2008, 12:26:55 PM
Quote from: shuluke on March 03, 2008, 08:20:29 AM
Quote from: ohgood on March 02, 2008, 10:21:49 PM
replace that hex head bolt on the headers. hell, replace them all, then you know the threads are fresh-er. put anti-seize on the threads, while you have the headers disconnected, sand the rust off at the lower junction ;)
I will look into getting the bolts this week.
I think he was joking about replacing the bolts. I've never heard of anyone (other than ben2go) doing that with an oil change. Then again, it's not a bad idea if you really want to do it. :laugh: :thumb:
I'm not quite that bad yet.I only change hardware(bolts) when they're to rusty or getting worn down from repeated removal. But yea,I admit I need to see someone for the gasket problem and seal problem.
Quote from: shuluke on March 02, 2008, 09:41:43 AM
Hey guys,
Well I tried to change my oil yesterday but ran into a problem. I couldnt access the oil filter. Now I was doing it at a friends house so I didnt have access to the internet, but I think I read the wiki at least 7 times so its pretty much memorized. When I went back to look at it today, I think my bike was maybe dropped and more damage than I thought. Anyway, I cant reach the filter from the pipes. I think they are bent. I looked at where the connect to the engine, and they have different bolts on them! I am worried if i take them off to replace the oil filter, I might not be able to get them back on. Here are pictures attached, any advice is greatly appreciated. Also, does your bikes have the same bolts on the frame as mine in the last picture?
01 GS500.
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj224/shulukeshuluke/n11604201_31357318_1099.jpg)
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj224/shulukeshuluke/n11604201_31357317_593.jpg)
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj224/shulukeshuluke/n11604201_31357319_1568.jpg)
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj224/shulukeshuluke/n11604201_31357320_2048.jpg)
I also leave my bike at my cousins, so Ill have to take more pictures later if needed.
looks like you have an after-market exhaust .. some of these need you to remove it or lower it to get at the filter .. i know the stock exhaust on mine gives access no problems.
Yep, V&H system.
Removing the front pipe completely adds about 5 minutes to the oil change process. :thumb:
Quote from: GeeP on September 06, 2008, 03:46:24 PM
Yep, V&H system.
Removing the front pipe completely adds about 5 minutes to the oil change process. :thumb:
Yes ... unless you stripe or shear off those beautiful galvanized hardware store bolts ...
If you do, go to the guy that you bought the bike from and throt a huuuuuuuuge rock though his window ... WTF ... why do they not use the bolts the bike had to begin with ... no washers either ... dumbass.
Cool.
buddha.
6 month old post, dudes...... :icon_mrgreen:
Gotta get your post count up somehow. ;)