Spring Maintenance

Well, I finally got around to do the oil change last night and chain lubing this morning.

The oil change was rather simple.  I use the technique of not removing the entire left cowling.  Removing the bottom right bolt was enough to free that part of the cowling so you could pry it open slightly to access the oil filter.  As I use the KN-204 oil filter, it was easy to remove with the same 17mm socket I use for the drain plug.

I don't have an oil pan to collect the old oil.  What I use though is a Sterilite plastic container with alid.  I got mine from Dollarama but you could find one on Amazon:  https://amzn.to/3K9Sujl.  It has to be big and sturdy enough to collect the oil.  It also needs to be not too tall so you can fit it under the bike for any oil pouring for both the drain plug as well as from the oil filter.  The added benefit of using an open top container like this is, is what I do to transfer the dirty oil back into the new oil bottle at the end.  That one is good for 6 quarts.

After all the oil has been drained into the Sterilite container, and after I add new oil back into the engine, I use the oil bottles to suck the oil back into the oil bottles.  I buy Repsol Moto Rider 4T Mineral Oil and the 1L bottles come with a telescoping spout.  You can use the spout to pour the oil out without having to use a funnel, and use the same spout to suck the old oil in the container back in--you'd just compress the bottle and let it expand and suck the oil in!  It's very cool, very quick and very clean.  No pouring down a funnel.  I recommend buying them from FortNine.ca:  https://fortnine.ca/en/repsol-moto-rider-4t-mineral-oil

BTW, the Sterilite container is great for many purposes, not just for collecting oil.  I use it to work on my chain as well!

The chain cleaning process is a bit more work.  I used a rear stand to make things easier.  The process is simple but feels long:  clean the chain, wait for it to dry, and apply the lube.

I've seen many YouTube videos where the cleaning is done in a garage or on the driveway where they let the old grime drip down to the floor.  That doesn't sound right to me, but I don't know if there is a better alternative.  I use kerosene to do the cleaning so there is a fair bit of the kerosene with the grime dripping down from the chain.  I used the plastic container to collect most of the drips and at the end of it, I poured it into a Coca Cola bottle.  I've been holding on to the Coca Cola bottle for a few years now and when it's half full, I'll take it to a local household hazards waste depot where they take the oil.  There are drips where the rear sprocket is and anywhere along the chain so I placed paper/cardboard to catch those drips.

One thing I like doing between the chain cleaning and chain waxing is to check for chain slack and to clean the tire rims.  I use a shop towel to wipe off the grime and old wax from the chain and I'd then use the shop towel to wipe the rims.  The rims look clean and dark now.

I should probably do other things with the bike, like maybe change the coolant and brake fluid.  I forgot when the last time I changed them.  I should do that either this year or next.

The temperature will rise to 9C in Toronto.  I think I'll take the bike out for a short ride later this afternoon.