Inline Performance Magazine |
| Posted: 23 Oct 2011 10:00 PM PDT |
As those astute readers who've been following project XT-600 have noticed, we've been a little off our game when it comes to maintenance, especially because the bike often sees regular duty commuting into San Francisco.
But we've finally gotten around to changing the oil and the filter, and while it's a job that's made marginally more complicated because of the XT's dry sump oiling system, it's still a job that the home mechanic can easily complete in his or her driveway.
The first step was to drain the oil from the sump, just like a usual oil change. But you'll quickly notice that nowhere near the bike's four-quart oil capacity drains out from the sump. That's because most of the engine's oil is actually stored in the oil tank, located on the left side of the seat under the bodywork. Remove the drain plug from the oil tank, and let the remainder of the oil flow out.
You should always change the oil filter at the same time you change the bike's oil, but we took exception to our own rule here because the filter wasn't available locally. But since the old bike's oil was so gross and dirty, the plan is to run the bike around for a week or so with the new clean oil, and then change the oil again along with the filter to flush the engine out.
The most important part of an oil change is, of course, refilling the oil. On a dry sump system like the XT's, the step is especially important. Fill the oil tank up to the "full" mark on the dipstick, and then start the bike and let in run for ten seconds or so. Turn the bike off, and then recheck the oil tank and add oil as necessary. Repeat this procedure until the oil level in the tank no longer drops, and then let the bike warm up and adjust to oil level, if necessary, to the "full" mark on the dipstick.
Take it for a ride, double check for leaks, and call it a job well done.
Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.
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