1999 Suzuki Marauder vz800 Starter issue

[mithuth]

You see, there's a LOT of misinformation our there regarding the vz800 marauder and I've spent quite a bit of time sifting through false info before doing anything. There was apparently a transition period for the marauder where they changed some of the starter solenoids from an old style to new, there were multiple setups where they used a canister oil filter like mine, and others where there was a filter with two o-rings internally. It feels like a sherlock holmes mystery every time I want to do something to the bike.

What i've learned so far: Mine is chain driven, external oil filter (canister like a car), new style starter relay and solenoid, and I'm missing my tool try under the seat that is supposed to cover the battery.

Back to the oil: Sitting level, engine off, approx 1700ml + another approx 400ml of oil put the level just a hair above the bottom hash marks, and when the bike is started the level drops for just a second and once the flow levels out, it's right between the upper and lower marks. the friend that came over and lent me a hand for my first MC oil change said it's perfectly fine where it's at. Though he did suggest that since the previous oil was nasty and a mess that I change the oil and filter again in a few hundred miles just to be sure all the burnt up sludge gets out.

I'm not saying anyone here has suggested anything wrong, it does however seem like the marauder was a piecemeal bike for Suzuki and they sort of threw whatever they wanted into the bike at a whim.