so i just did my first oil change earlier today, and everything went fine UNTIL I CAME ONTO THIS SITE...lol i checked the how-to just to double check and i had forgotten to "Clean out the dirt in the interior of the filter casing with paper towels"...

so im wondering how big of an oops was this, as i dont want to change the oil again like tomorrow since its fresh oil...could i still put on some miles, then change it a bit sooner than i would have had i properly cleaned it?  thanks all...


- alex


o and when the how to says DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN...how do you tell when its tight enough but not too tight? thanks all...

it shoudlnt matter that you didnt clean out the inside.. do it next time.

as for the tightnening ... i make sure its snug.. and it doesnt leak oil.. as long as teh gasket on the inside is put on right, and the bolts are tight, you wont have any leaks.

You can change the oil sooner if you wish... its not expensive to do so.. .but it definitely wont hurt to put some miles on it... but since you change it so often (3000 miles) it really doesnt matter.

Oil is so cheap here in Canada that a buddy of mine on a new CBR 1000 changes it every 1000 miles (its accually probably more expensive than in the states). But yah you get the point... here on the GS its like 15$ to change the oil... it costs me 12$ to fill the tank with gas so an oil change isnt much more expensive than filling the tank with gas here.

As for the bolt... I tighten up just until its gets snug then about a quarter turn more.

the main point about the bolts is to tighten them all the same. The manual suggest 30ft/lbs-- which is snug and a littel more [like he said 1/4 of a turn or so]

Quote from: gs500fromnbYou can change the oil sooner if you wish... its not expensive to do so.. .but it definitely wont hurt to put some miles on it... but since you change it so often (3000 miles) it really doesnt matter.

I'm a nub to bikes... My manual says I should change the oil every 600 miles... I that necessary or should I hold off longer?

ya for initial break in they suggest every 600miles as to clean out the metal deposits [this is stuff that will kill engine life] So by flushing the oil it gets alot of the metal filings out which is typical from a new motor. I would change the oil at 600 miles, then another one at 1200miles then one at 2k miles then every 1k miles from there on out. It's cheap to change the oil and it really extends engine life. I suggest every 1k miles because I personaly put that many miles on my bike in a couple of weeks, depending on the weather of couse   The average rider I guess changes the oil once in the spring and then once in towards the "end" of the ridding season...I don't have an end ridding season :nana: I just have to wear more jackets some times

Quote from: Jace009The manual suggest 30ft/lbs

That seems like a LOT.  Are you sure it isn't inch-lbs?

Quote from: gs500fromnbMy manual says I should change the oil every 600 miles

That sounds like the interval for lubing the chain....

do we need a crush washer when changing the oil?...

Quote from: Frostdo we need a crush washer when changing the oil?...

Read the first couple posts in the Oil change - washer size? thread.

Also see the oil change questions thread.

Kerry is right here, it can't be 30 ft/lbs. that is WAY to much for those small bolts

Sorry...my bad...ya it's not 30ft/lbs..hope noboy broke off one of those studs on my account....