oil Change

[CDNRatMan]

  Well ok so the connector is on the low side and if it was not a good thing one would think that the head people at the Kawasaki factory would have moved it to the top side.....just thinking out loud here........small deflector would be possible.....

[Tfrank59]

Well I did my first oil change and of course when I unscrewed the filter hot oil dripped all over the starter and cable connection, and I didn't like it.  But I cleaned it all off and dried it like you guys said and I'll get over it . Maybe next time I'll make a little deflector shield or something, who knows.

[LarryInSeattle]

If you really want to clean up the motor on the inside, put a half a bottle of SeaFoam in the crankcase with the old oil, run the motor until up to operating temperature and then drain and fill with the oil of your choice.

[Tfrank59]

Yeah, I guess it won't hurt anything, and upon further reflection there's really no way to prevent it other than leaning the bike over the other way so oil can't flow over that connector (or moving that wire out of the way temporarily). Just seems like immersing wires and electrical connections in oil is a bad idea.

[CDNRatMan]

   I have never had an issue with it draining over the starter, but then like GB said I clean it off while it is wet and then it comes right off, you could make a small deflector to move it away from the starter I guess.......

[greenbarn]

just clean it off with some cleaner when you're done.  It won't hurt the connections.

[Tfrank59]

So the YouTube video's nice, and I know it's not even a drifter 800, but configured the same – is it OK to let the oil from the filter drip all over the starter, especially on the electrical connection?   Seems like one would want to avoid/prevent that, but that's just me.

[gdrudd13]

if you're a video person, a quick search on youtube turned up this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZgyYVNSiBM

[pcarrell]

An online manual for the VN800:

http://www2.vulcanrider.se/DL/KawasakiVN800_96-04ServiceManual.pdf

You can even download it and save it to your own computer!

Sorry, but I don't have a link to the Drifter specific add-on to this manual.

[CDNRatMan]

Dut...... really simple and easy job.

Start the bike, let it run for a few minutes, Get it warm to get the oil flowing but not hot or you will burn your fingers. Get a large low pan to put under the bike, to cover the side plug, the drain plug and the oil filter. I then remove the oil screen plug first let it drain a bit then remove the filter and then the drain plug.
Go and read for a bit putter about with other things, leave it drain and get the old stuff out, never rush doing this. On the 800 the screen can seem a pain to get in and out, not much room, but you can get a good look at how things are by how clean the screen is.
Clean up the oil off the front while you are waiting too is a good idea, then a little oil on the new filter gasket, and spin it into place and hand tighten, then one wee turn more. replace the bottom drain plug. Then the screen and the brass washer. Make sure the plugs are in and torqued to the correct setting.
Then it will take 2.9L with the oil filter replaced, and I know in the one page from the forum site it say's to do this on the center stand ...... but the bike does not have a center stand. So once the oil is in and you have 2.9L in the bike, start it and let it run for a few minutes to get the oil in all the places it needs to go. Then let it rest a bit, the have some one help you get it up right and look in the wee little window on the left side.
See really easy and simple.......

[chief]

I apologize, you posted this in the 1500 section, you have an 800. The service manual info I provided isn't for the 800. 800's and 1500's are very different bikes.  I don't have an 800 manual scanned. I have included a pdf which you may be able to use. And, I moved your portion of the post to the 800 area, so you can get input from 800 riders.

I do have a used 800 Service manual if you are interested. $30 plus $9.50 shipping. I will list it in the classifieds.

[Dut]

I went and found everything, I see the oil drain at the bottom, and I found the oil filter, though it is right in the front of the engine, pointing towards the front tire, was thinking it was on the side.... I "think" I have the oil screen....guess I am going to unsrew it and if something falls off the bike I know I got it wrong lol

Thanks again for the replies

[chief]

I suggest you purchase a service manual. It never hurts regardless of your experience.

When I said it was simple, I was attempting to reassure you. You should have no problem if you have ever changed the only in anything. Yell if you have questions.

[Dut]

  I'm sure this task is very simple to most anyone, I am however new to bikes and not mechanically talented. I am trying to remedy both short comings but welcome any guidance. Thank you for the replies and the pdf files.

[chief]

Its really simple... I've added the relevant manual pages in pdf form below.

[Dut]

Any vids or walk throughs on this. Changing oil for first time and not a lot of info online about this bike.