Spark plug and oil filter

[i2kdave]

What kind of spark plug do y'all use? Do you have to use the kind suggested in the manual, or are there others available from different companies?
Also, I've seen that the KN-136 oil filter is one that's commonly used, but are there others? I had Autozone order a KN-136 for me yesterday and, at 11 bucks, it's a little expensive. :retard:

[caroledee1]

I have been using NGK #DR8EA which is the standard plug. The Iridium plug is DR8EIX. I sold NAPA

auto parts for 7 years. I found that the Japanese plugs were recommended for Japanese engines. I

have had no problem with the standard NGK plugs. :) Where is North Cackalacky? North Carolina?

[Easy Rider]

What kind of spark plug do y'all use?

Why bother?
The recommended ones work fine and aren't terribly expensive, even from a dealer.
If you do a LOT of riding and change your oil often, do a search here for "filter" and you should find a source of "standard" filters at a discount price.

[i2kdave]

Why bother?
The recommended ones work fine and aren't terribly expensive, even from a dealer.

I was just curious, because I looked in Autozone and Advance Auto Parts the other day and couldn't find those plugs in either store. They might keep them behind the counter, though. I didn't ask because I was just browsing to see if I could find them, wasn't planning on buying one at the time. The nearest dealership is on the other side of town and I don't like having to go there for every little thing I need.

[Easy Rider]

They might keep them behind the counter, though.

The nearest dealership is on the other side of town and I don't like having to go there for every little thing I need.

Auto parts stores probably can get them....at extra price; not something they normally stock.

I see you are not "really" into this bike thing yet. Riding across town for parts is just another good excuse for a RIDE !! :) (Guess that kinda depends on how BIG the town IS.)

Plan ahead. Stored in a reasonable fashion, things like plugs and filters don't deteriorate over time. I always get at least 2 at a time. :tup:

[i2kdave]

Well I wound up getting the plug off Amazon for $3.50. I was already ordering something else and needed something cheap to put me over the $25 requirement for free shipping. :2tup:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BYB8EC

[primal]

OEM oil filter from my local Suzuki dealer cost me $5.50 (or there abouts).

[5th_bike]

OEM oil filter from my local Suzuki dealer cost me $5.50 (or there abouts).
At my local dealer:
oil filter $5.39
o-ring $1.39
o-ring $3.79
tax $0.63
total $11.20

Add oil, and changing the motorcycle's engine oil myself costs almost as much as having the garage change oil and filter for my car...

[alanmcorcoran]

Plus, you gotta get rid of the oil. Not sure about you guys, but out here changing your own oil often means a trip to the household hazardous waste facility, (often found at oil change places.) Some cities will pick it up with the recycling.

Overall, a lot of hassle for the thrill of doing it yourself.

[i2kdave]

Add oil, and changing the motorcycle's engine oil myself costs almost as much as having the garage change oil and filter for my car...

That's exactly what I was thinking when I saw how much synthetic oil was....so I just got Valvoline motorcycle oil. :lol:
I know everyone says synthetic is the way to go, but that stuff is expensive!

Plus, you gotta get rid of the oil. Not sure about you guys, but out here changing your own oil often means a trip to the household hazardous waste facility, (often found at oil change places.) Some cities will pick it up with the recycling.

Overall, a lot of hassle for the thrill of doing it yourself.

I used to change the oil in my truck myself, and that's pretty much why I stopped, b/c I'd always be too lazy to take the oil to the dump and it would wind up sitting in the garage and the container would be full the next time I went to change my oil. :whistle:
I'm going to try not to get into that habit with the bike. The container should hold a few oil changes worth for it, anyway.

[goneoutflying]

Plus, you gotta get rid of the oil. Not sure about you guys, but out here changing your own oil often means a trip to the household hazardous waste facility, (often found at oil change places.) Some cities will pick it up with the recycling.

Overall, a lot of hassle for the thrill of doing it yourself.

Most auto parts stores will take used oil. I know Auto Zone does, that is where I take mine. If you don't have an Auto Zone near you I would call around to local auto parts stores, they often do this to make changing you oil easier, so they can get more business. :)

[Easy Rider]

Plus, you gotta get rid of the oil.

Not a problem IF you have one vehicle in the family that goes to "the shop" for it's oil changes.
You just take the extra used oil with you and they dump it in their tank. Problem solved.
Might call ahead to be sure they do that but most places will.

[primal]

OEM oil filter from my local Suzuki dealer cost me $5.50 (or there abouts).
At my local dealer:
oil filter $5.39
o-ring $1.39
o-ring $3.79
tax $0.63
total $11.20

Add oil, and changing the motorcycle's engine oil myself costs almost as much as having the garage change oil and filter for my car...

Two o-rings? For what? Heck, even though the manual says (sorta) that you are supposed to use a new o-ring for the oil filter cap, I didn't and I haven't had a problem. If its brittle and about to fall apart you should probably change it, otherwise I don't see the point.

So, it costs me $25 every 6,000 miles for an oil change. Two quarts of Shell Rotella-T synthetic are $10, times two, plus the cost of a filter every 6,000 miles. I can't even begin to imagine what a local shop would charge for the same quality oil... probably $50. I'll change my own oil, thank ya very much. ;)

[alanmcorcoran]

What's your time worth?

I'd consider changing mine myself if I didn't already have to go to the dealer to get an oil filter and oil and then make another trip to deliver back the used oil (hopefully without spilling it all over the garage and/or the car trunk) and then you have to have an oil pan and a funnel and a jug or something to put it in and hopefully you don't screw up the filter or strip the threads and yada, yada, yada. I don't know what they charge to change the oil at the dealer, but I think it's pretty much a lock I'll leave it in their hands. Especially if they can do it while I wait.

Now, if I enjoyed changing oil and loosening and tightening things, and wiping my oil soaked hands on a filthy rag, well, that'd be different.

[Easy Rider]

Now, if I enjoyed changing oil and loosening and tightening things, and wiping my oil soaked hands on a filthy rag, well, that'd be different.

Some folks don't like to RIDE either !! :roll: :biggrin:

[jonathan180iq]

You know they make latex or nitrile gloves, right? :tongue:

California is a different beast, but I've never been into an autoparts store that did not have an oil recycling tank in the back.

Let's break this down.

Having your oil changed at the shop:
-About $45; and you have to wait around or come back later.
Did they really do it? I hope so.

Changing your own oil:
-2 quarts of oil (This varies based on what oil you use but let's say it's $12. That's good expensive oil)
-1 oil filter ($6)
-Oil drain pan (Cheapest with lid is around $8 @ Wal-Mart)
-1 pack of disposable gloves ($2)
-1 funnel ($1)
-15 minutes (Who doesn't have 15 minutes to spare?)
TOTAL COST - $29 + a drive to the store to purchase this stuff.

Even if you buy oil and filters in bulk, it's only gonna be somewhere around:
-1 case of premium synthetic oil (6qts) = $34
-3 or 4 oil filters = Maybe $21 including shipping
The funnel and drain pan can be used indefinitely. You'll eventually have to replace the package of gloves. +$2 every year or so.
TOTAL COST FOR A YEAR+ WORTH OF OIL CHANGES: $66

[Easy Rider]

Let's break this down.


OK, and the point of this detailed listing IS..??? :??:

I don't think anybody disputes that you can save a few bucks by doing it yourself AND that it is a fairly simple proceedure that almost anybody can master.....(but some folks seem to be able to frack it up anyway).

I usually change my own oil and adjust/oil the chain but that's it; anything else and it goes to the shop. Why? Because I don't want to be bothered and I can easily afford the extra few bucks.

Different strokes and all that.......... :cool:

[jonathan180iq]

I believe Mr. Mcorcoran (I'm assuming this is your last name, man.) was making the case that changing one's own oil was not worth the difference in time & money from taking it to a shop.

[jonathan180iq]

I can easily afford the extra few bucks.


We can't all be like MoneyBags McEasyRider. :neener:

[alanmcorcoran]

Mr. N180iq,

If I did all the jobs around the house that only take 15 minutes, I would spend my whole life doing stuff I loathe doing. I guess by the semi third world standards that seem to apply to finances on here, I, too, am Mr. Moneybags (hell, I might even be Mr. Moneysacks or Mr. Moneyvan) but I spend most of my time either doing what I have to do or doing stuff that entertains me. At some point changing oil might be one of them, but so far, changing oil doesn't sound very entertaining.

Your analysis indicating the entire process, including the trips to buy and get rid of the oil, coming in at a total of 15 mins, seems a tad on the biased side. My nearest Suzuki dealer is at least 30 mins in one direction, making two trips there 2 hours min, not to mention doing the actual oil change. Of course, that would bump the time involved in the dealer approach as well, the main argument in favor of doing it oneself.

In any event, many of you are avid do it yourselfers and a few of us are not. I got no problem with the do-it-yourself approach, and I truly appreciate the generosity of those sharing their knowledge on how to do it properly.

I do get a little irritated when it's presented as if it is the superior (or "smarter") approach. For many of us, it's not. I don't mow my own lawn, I don't fix my own toilets and I don't hang my own Christmas lights either. Does that make me an idiot?

On this forum, probably. But trust me, it's not because I don't know how or can't figure out how to do these things. I just don't like to mow, plumb or climb ladders and am fortunate, at least for the time being, to have the option of not doing so.

[Easy Rider]

I can easily afford the extra few bucks.


We can't all be like MoneyBags McEasyRider. :neener:

Took me 62 years to get to that point. Hopefully you will be as fortunate. :cool:

Other factors not withstanding, I quit smoking about 2 years ago. I figure that gives me about $35 a week to piss away on other indulgences. :)

[goneoutflying]

Ether way you are giving up your resources for it, whether that be your money or time. It also depends which you have more of and which you value the most. How much does your time cost?

As for me I am a poor college student, I am short on both but I have more time than money so I do it myself. When I get rich :banana: I will pay someone do it for me. :rawk:

[primal]

You know, to me changing my own oil and doing my own maintenance is more than just a means to save some cash. I think its part of the biker philosophy (or one of the biker philosophies). It lets me get to know my machine better. It gives me a sense of self-sufficiency. Its kind of like why everyone should learn to change the tire on their car, in case you ever need to actually do it. I plan on doing just about all of the maintenance on my bike that doesn't require special equipment.

[alanmcorcoran]

I guess I might have given the impression that I think people who change their own oil are cheap, poor or whatever, but that was not my intent. I was simply responding to the attitude that changing one's own oil somehow makes one superior to someone that chooses not to. I agree that it's useful to know how to change a tire on one's car, and I've done it many times.

Years ago, I changed the oil in my cars a few times. Found the process to be somewhat inconvenient, not terribly interesting and don't think I really got to know the car better, except maybe how to crawl under it. It's probably less of a pain to do on the bike. After all this discussion, maybe I'll give it a shot. I seriously doubt I'll do it more than once, but I will at least have a legitimate rationale for not doing it a second time. Who knows? By spring I might be tensioning my own chain. (Do you tension a chain?)

[Easy Rider]

Who knows? By spring I might be tensioning my own chain. (Do you tension a chain?)

Sort of. You adjust the slack. :cool:

[music man]

Has anyone here ever just dumped there oil out somewhere, the woods or a drainage ditch. The reason I ask is not because I do it now, but when I was growing up my dad (who was 55 when i was born, so you can imagine how old he was when I wasold enough to be changing oil) taught me to just pour it somewhere, like on the ground. Of course back in his day and probably back in that day we didn't have too many fancy places (like recycling centers) to dump our oil in (especially in bumf#$k arkansas).

And before you get your rope out to lynch me with, I don't do that now because I know better,
I was just curious if anyone had ever done so at some point in their lives.

Later

[jonathan180iq]

I have the original service manuals for my '76 Midget. In the section about flushing the cooling passages and radiator it instructs the owner to park over a sewer drain to flush the coolant into...

I always wondered why I have an ear on my lower back.

[alanmcorcoran]

Music,

I may be misremembering, but I believe some of my oil changes went into a plastic bag, filled with some sort of soaking up agent, that then went into the trash. Anybody else remember this or am I nuts?

Re dumping the oil in the woods... I'm sure it's not good for bunnies or the wells in the area, but, they DO get the stuff out of the ground in the first place. You just have to dig a really deep hole!

[i2kdave]

I have the original service manuals for my '76 Midget. In the section about flushing the cooling passages and radiator it instructs the owner to park over a sewer drain to flush the coolant into...

That's hilarious :lol:

[5th_bike]

Two o-rings? For what? Heck, even though the manual says (sorta) that you are supposed to use a new o-ring for the oil filter cap, I didn't and I haven't had a problem. If its brittle and about to fall apart you should probably change it, otherwise I don't see the point.

You are right - previously (last year) I have reused the big o-ring, no problem. And last month, the o-rings from the engine were in great shape and I just felt I was tossing money out when I put them in the trash can.... next time it's just going to be a filter. Thank you.

They probably only put "change filter AND o-rings" in the manual to avoid the legal hassle for NOT printing it...

[Easy Rider]

next time it's just going to be a filter.

It's a time kind of thing more than mileage.

Eventually, the "rubber" will keep it's new, compressed shape and won't seal as good (or at all) when removed and replaced.

The safest thing to do is replace it every time. If, however, you closely inspect them for damage, I see no reason they can't have a useful life of about 2X oil changes.

I always have a set on hand; inspect and re-use once and then change the next time.

[yls]

Hey Gang, I have been reading and learning and have amast a lot of knowledge from all of you. Being a beginning myself this a great site. After reading all the hoopla about changing the oil and filter I called several places myself.Holy crap. I have never felt so alone before to ask some one to do service work. My money is not apparently needed in this economy. Even the auto parts stores are not kind to my plight. I will take your advice and go internet shopping and do the work myself. If anyone knows of a good place in central Indiana please let me know.

[jonathan180iq]

What are you looking for exactly?

All you need to do an oil change is this website, a couple of simple tools and two quarts of your choice oil. The filter can be changed every other oil change. You buy those at your local Suzuki dealer.


viewtopic.php?f=8&t=566 (http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=566)

[IRingTwyce]

You are right - previously (last year) I have reused the big o-ring, no problem. And last month, the o-rings from the engine were in great shape and I just felt I was tossing money out when I put them in the trash can.... next time it's just going to be a filter. Thank you.

They probably only put "change filter AND o-rings" in the manual to avoid the legal hassle for NOT printing it...
O-rings are cheap. In my line of work, multi-million dollar oil wells can be junked due to a 25 cent o-ring failure. It just doesn't make sense not to change them when they're so cheap. It only takes a tiny tiny knick to cause a failure.

[Easy Rider]

What are you looking for exactly?

All you need to do an oil change is this website,

I second that question! :)

Car and truck places don't mess with lawn mowers or motorcycles. :biggrin:

Except for Harley, ANY motorcycle dealer should be willing to take your money for an oil change. If it's not Suzuki, then you might have to supply the filter.

[Easy Rider]

If anyone knows of a good place in central Indiana please let me know.

I'm betting that there is a Zuki dealer in both (West) Lafayette and in Indy. I'm also betting that either one of them would be happy to take your money.

[5th_bike]

All you need to do an oil change is this website...
I still wonder what the torque on the three little bolts of the oil filter cap should be - I tighten them to 4 foot pounds now. Seems tight enough. When I loosened them the first time, they needed 7 ft lbs to unscrew.

[Water Warrior 2]

If anyone knows of a good place in central Indiana please let me know.

I'm betting that there is a Zuki dealer in both (West) Lafayette and in Indy. I'm also betting that either one of them would be happy to take your money.

The local Yamaha dealer carries oil filters for both the GZ and the VStrom. Hiflo filter for GZ is a HF136. About 2/3rds the price of a Suzuki filter.

[jonathan180iq]

Just past snug always worked well for me.

I never found any reason to "torque" small bolts to a proper setting, except for valves and delicate things like that. I think torque values on little bolts are written into service manuals for people like the Grape Ape and the Incredible Hulk.