Do you remove the fairings to change the oil?

[joyinc]

Ok, I ran a search for this, but came up empty but i figure it's been asked?

I just picked up my ninja today and had a blast riding about 200km's

I'm planning on doing an early oil change and i had a peak under the bike, and everything looks very accessable. I'm just wondering, does it make a big mess if you dont take the fairings off? My last bike I had to take them off just to get near the drain bolt and i leaked oil all over the exhaust lol... i bought a stand that i've yet to figure out, hopefully it works lol

I've only ever changed the oil on my old cbr125, which had no oil filter... any tips? or even links to old threads that i didnt find (I know how annoying it can be when newbies ask the same questions all the time)

Thanks so much!

[austexjg]

It is pretty easy - no need to remove fairings - check the DIY section.

[Samer]

Originally Posted by austexjg

It is pretty easy - no need to remove fairings - check the DIY section.

Yep. No need. But the rear stand definitely gives you more room. Like for putting a container under the bike to collect the used oil.

Check this DIY:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10780

[BlueRaven]

I change my oil in my 250 and its very easy all thanks to the great DIY on here. No mess well not on the bike at least but a rear stand and a torque wrench are definitely a must.

[joyinc]

well i've got both of those!

just opened my oil filter though and no O rings so i guess i'll have to wait till after the long weekend!

[BlueRaven]

I know the K&N and WIX oil filters come with the o-rings.

[Samer]

There are mixed opinions about that. If you get the filter from the dealer it is expensive and doesn't come with the rings. For now, you can probably keep them if they look like they are in good shape. Another item is the crush washer. Some people replace them each time, some don't.

[joyinc]

dangit... i bought the kawasaki one from the dealer

[BlueRaven]

I buy K&N because you can get them at Canadian Tire open 7 day a week.

[joyinc]

Originally Posted by BlueRaven

I buy K&N because you can get them at Canadian Tire open 7 day a week.

would they have the crush washer too?

[BlueRaven]

I'm glad you mentioned that cause i have not change mine yet. I knew i was forgetting something but couldn't figure out what. I was planning to change my oil tomorrow i guess now i'll have to wait till saturday. You can call the parts dept and ask.

[backinthesaddleagain]

I reused my crush washer for the first time. Bike hasn't leaked yet. Of course it hasn't been ridden since then either with thesr rains. Riding friday.
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[joyinc]

i'm gonna be baby'n this bike... so i gotta find one of these things! lol
my friends think i'm weird for even wanting to change it so early, but i havent been following the break in, so i thought an early oil change would be good

[addy126]

Glad you're havin fun!!!

[Momaru]

*cough* I'm at ~11100mi and the crush washer's original. No leaks, but I torque to spec every time and make sure the washer & bolt are clean before I put 'em back. Planning to replace the washer next oil change just to be sure though. $0.30 for peace of mind is a good price to pay indeed.

+1 for stand and torque wrench though. Might want a good-sized breaker bar as some of the oil drain bolts were wrenched 'em on pretty hard at the factory.

Also plan for some pretty solid pressure draining; my oil usually reaches 'ground level' ~18-24" away from the drain socket when it's first opened

[joyinc]

Originally Posted by Momaru

I'm at ~11100mi and the crush washer's original.

Holy! Guess i'm worrying over nothing!

[KTRacing38]

... there's a reason Canadian Tire is nicknamed "Crappy Tire"... lol!

[joyinc]

Originally Posted by KTRacing38

... there's a reason Canadian Tire is nicknamed "Crappy Tire"... lol!

why are those filters bad?

[KTRacing38]

Depends who you ask, but they aren't as good as OEM. The only time I've put non-oem filters on any of my bikes is during the winter for storage.

[M-Oorb]

I usually go completly naked when I change my oil...easier with nothing in the way.



Talking about the bike obviously


April Fools!!

[BlueRaven]

i don't trust kawi oil and filters as they usually use a company that has the lowest bid for their products so in my opinion they are cheap quality.

We always referred to CT as Crappy Tire cause is was fun to call em that.

[Slabrocks]

i did mine yesterday on an 01, and it was only 7 screws to take off the bottom faring. I figured it was less of a chance to make a mess and more of a chance to have room for the oil pan to fit.

[sombo]

I have to take the lower fairing off of mine. For me I have to take the exhaust off to get at the oil filter which also requires taking off the lower fairing. That's what you get for putting an aftermarket 2-1 exhaust on a bike designed for dual exhaust I guess lol.

[riiken]

Go to your Kawasaki dealer to get a crush washer. Only cost me 33 cents.

[Haken]

I just changed mine last week with a new oil filter. Don't need to remove the fairings.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by Momaru

*cough* I'm at ~11100mi and the crush washer's original. No leaks, but I torque to spec every time and make sure the washer & bolt are clean before I put 'em back. Planning to replace the washer next oil change just to be sure though. $0.30 for peace of mind is a good price to pay indeed.



+1 for stand and torque wrench though. Might want a good-sized breaker bar as some of the oil drain bolts were wrenched 'em on pretty hard at the factory.

Also plan for some pretty solid pressure draining; my oil usually reaches 'ground level' ~18-24" away from the drain socket when it's first opened

Is the filler cap loosened before you remove the drain plug?

[Momaru]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

Is the filler cap loosened before you remove the drain plug?

Mine is, yeah. I'd rather be right at the drain plug when the oil starts coming out fast, to better catch it, than standing on the other side loosening the filler cap.