Who Designs this Shit? Kawasaki Edition

"valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option" (valsidalv) 06/12/2016 at 21:31 • Filed to: None

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Finally crossed the 1000 km mark on my Ninja today. I will send her in for service by people who know what they’re doing but meanwhile I wanted to swap the oil out on my own. NO BIG DEAL RIGHT??

It started off quite easy as the drain plug is accessible without removing any fairings. But the oil filter... well that’s a different story. The photo below is zoomed into the area indicated by the red square above.

The filter is mounted horizontally. As you can see, an oil filter wrench is required to get it off. To begin you have about 1" of space to actually rotate the wrench once it’s on the filter and secured. But getting it to budge required 30 mins of failed attempts (notice how scratched up the thing got in the process), lots of swearing, and even PB Blaster. Yes, PB Blaster on the oil filter did the trick. WHAT THE FUCK KAWI ENGINEERS?! Why make the filter so hard to reach and tighten it so only Zeus can get it off?

And once it’s loose be prepared to fashion a funnel out of newspaper or foil so that oil doesn’t drip down all over the bike. WTF.

Oh well. Replaced with a K&N filter that uses a typical socket at the top to tighten.

Also: still alive after 1000 km! And no tickets. Double win.

CRider > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 06/12/2016 at 21:43

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You just need to spray a little Axe body spray on there and it’ll pop right off.

McMike > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 06/12/2016 at 21:46

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My motorbike is bad too , but nothing like that. I will never complain again.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 06/12/2016 at 21:49

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Punch a screw driver in the filter & twist it off. You’re just replacing it anyway.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > CRider 06/12/2016 at 21:49

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Axe spray on the bike and some PB Blaster on my hands? I’ve been doing it all wrong! thx for the tip

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > McMike 06/12/2016 at 21:58

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Do you get to that from the front of the bike?

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus 06/12/2016 at 22:00

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I was close to doing that. Won’t lie, it seems a bit of an intimidating process... how much force is needed to pierce it?

McMike > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 06/12/2016 at 22:02

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It’s on the front of the engine, but you pull it out sideways similar to yours. No matter what, you get oil all over your engine mount, frame, voltage regulator, and floor.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 06/12/2016 at 22:07

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Depends on the size of the hammer.

I have an ice pick that works pretty well on my Focus, as I punch a hole or two, so the oil drains from the filter before I unscrew it.

JasonStern911 > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 06/12/2016 at 22:08

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you beat me to “use a K&N filter so you can use a traditional socket”, and someone else beat me to “just jam a screwdriver into it” to get it out, so I’ve got nothing.

on the bright side, in order to replace the air filter or battery on a BMW R1150R, you have to detach the gas tank, which requires detaching multiple oil coolers, which inherently gets one of 2-4 throttle cables stuck... 8-)

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 06/12/2016 at 22:10

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Get the kind that clamps from the end either the proper size for your filter or adjustable like the one pictured.

Then use a socket extension and ratchet to loosen your filter.

slipperysallylikespenguins > McMike 06/12/2016 at 23:17

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https://www.amazon.com/Form-Funnel%C2…

slipperysallylikespenguins > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 06/12/2016 at 23:18

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https://www.amazon.com/Form-Funnel%C2…

Mmmmm > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 06/12/2016 at 23:41

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Take a paper towel and just fold it a couple times then slide it in there under the filter. That will catch any oil that comes out. You must torque those filters on because hand tight is not sufficient (I think it is 13 ft’lbs). I made a huge mess the first time but now I can knock it out without spilling any no problem :). You’ll get used to it.

McMike > slipperysallylikespenguins 06/13/2016 at 05:10

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Been there, done that.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 06/13/2016 at 07:14

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Mobile Kinja was being a bastard last night and ate my picture and edits. Here is a picture of an adjustable oil filter wrench that you can hook up to a ratchet:

You can also get fixed size versions.

I have a fixed size that I use for changing the oil on my tractor since you can’t get a strap wrench on it. It works pretty good, but the adjustable ones are probably better.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 06/13/2016 at 08:31

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I have one of these (but a little bit nicer and with a bit of inner grip)

I think regardless of the option I went with it would have still required a lot of elbow grease.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 06/13/2016 at 08:51

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The ones I have pictured are nice because they give you room. It won’t make it any easier if Thor tightened the old filter on, but at least you can put an extension on and not need to worry about smashing your fingers after the filter has only spun an inch.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 06/13/2016 at 09:26

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You’re not alone...

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/bmw-f650-maint…

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 06/13/2016 at 10:48

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Ridiculous!

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > Mmmmm 06/13/2016 at 10:49

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I used the glossy front cover from a magazine. Paper towels could absorb the oil too much but I guess it depends if you went for the bargain basement stuff or that nice double quilted triple fisted shit.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > JasonStern911 06/13/2016 at 10:51

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Tank removal just to get to the battery?! That’s annoying.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 06/13/2016 at 11:21

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completely.

Mmmmm > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 06/13/2016 at 13:28

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Yea the paper towel absorbes it, that’s the point...it’s not like that filter is dropping a quart of oil.

just-a-scratch > JasonStern911 06/13/2016 at 13:48

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This reminds me of changing the thermostat on my 600RR. remove upper fairing, dash, seat, battery box, airbox, ecu, throttle bodies, and finally, ther thermostat.

The Compromiser > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 06/20/2016 at 22:42

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My Honda’s is under the back of the engine. I use a strap  like yours, but half the time it’s dipping in the drip pan. Always a mess...

But the best part is NO MESS! Two drain plugs down there (engine and Trans) . Tighten and wipe. And done! Filler is above on the flat top of the transfer case.

Coolant is a motherfucker though. The cap is under the tank... and it needs to run to burp. And the fuel tank to petcock hose isn’t very long..

And I am 12 so I giggled. And now you did too.