Bandit Oil Change

April 8, 2012

An oil change is a quick service that's done frequently so it might not seem worth documenting.  But, I've read enough BARF posts by newer riders who aren't sure how to check their oil, much less change it, that I think it's worth a short writeup.  Plus, if done incorrectly it's possible to do major engine damage by over-filling, under-filling, or stripping threads.  My Bandit has a heli-coil in its oil pan, so I know from first-hand experience that it's possible to immobilize a bike by performing this service incorrectly.

Time required is 30 minutes to an hour.

Required supplies:

• 21mm socket
• Oil filter socket
• Drain pan
• Oil
• Filter - Emgo 10-55660 or equivalent for the Bandit
• Crush washer
• Nitrile gloves
• Cardboard
• Foil
• Trucker hat

I use Motul 3000 10w-40 non-synthetic in the Bandit, and a Cat Diesel Power hat.   I've tried many combinations of oil and hats.  Motul 3000 and Cat seem to work the best.

 

Warm up the bike for about 10 minutes and put it on the center stand.  Place cardboard under the bike, and put the drain pan under the drain plug.  Loosen the oil filler cap on the right side of the bike.



Set the ratchet to loosen by flipping the switch to the right.



Remove the drain plug.  Loosen by turning the ratchet toward the front of the bike.  The drain plug is upside down on the Bandit so it can be momentarily confusing figuring out which way to turn it.  Trust me, you do not want to turn it the wrong direction.



Let the oil drain.  It will never stop dripping so don't wait, 10 - 20 minutes is enough time.  Then put a new crush washer on the drain plug. Note, crush washers are directional. The larger flat side should go toward the drain pan, small side facing the plug.  The bike may leak oil if the crush washer is upside down.



Put the drain plug back in.  The torque spec is 17 ft. lbs.  You can use the spec if you want to, but having stripped the threads in my oil drain I believe 17 ft. lbs. is too tight.  Finger-tight plus a quarter-turn is enough.

Next, place the foil underneath the oil filter on the exhaust headers and remove the oil filter with the filter socket. A fair amount of oil may come out.



Make sure the filter gasket comes off with the old filter.




Apply clean oil to the new filter gasket, then fill the new filter about half full with clean oil. I don't remember what the oil filter torque spec is on the Bandit, but finger tight plus a half turn is plenty.



Next, fill the bike with new oil.  The Bandit takes 3.7 quarts, almost a full gallon.  Do not overfill.

 

Run the bike for about 5 minutes and check for leaks.  Then shut it off and wait for a few minutes.  The oil level should be just below the full line in the sight glass.



If the level is too low, fill gradually until the oil level is just below the full line.  If it is too full you will have to drain some oil out.  There isn't a clean way to do this that I know of.  The method I've used in the past is to get a second clean drain pan and drain all the oil out, then put most of it back in.  It's hard to drain just a little without the drain plug falling out.  Recycle the used oil and filter at a recycling center or used oil pick-up location.