What's the proper way to change the oil and filter on the 250 recon? This may be in the manual if I could find the manual. Any special ways to do this? What kind of oil?

Thanks

 

apparently there is no filter on the Recon. If I had known this before I bought one for my daughter, it sure would have affected my purchase decision. The recommended oil is an SG or higher API classification 10W-40. Capacity is 1.6 US qt. Remove the dipstick before draining the crankcase. The crankcase drain bolt is located under the engine slightly off to the side. Torque on the crankcase bolt is 18 ft/lb. Do not use energy conserving oils as they will affect the clucth operation.

 

i usaly just use castrol gtx 10w 40. and when your checking it to see if you put the right amount in it dont screw the dipstick in. i never knew thaty until sopmeone told a few weeks ago. and alsojust if uyou need it since you have to use 2 quarts i measure mine in ounces czuse that whats my funnel is i put 53 ounces in it.

 

there is an oil screen that should be removed and cleaned every 1200 miles. you need to remove the front crankcase cover to do this. also, Honda calls it an "engine oil centrifugal filter", which should also be cleaned every 1200 miles/200 hours.it's really more like the outer clutch cover and just behind it that you clean, and to make sure the oil passages are good and clean. this is also behind the front crankcase cover.

 

http://www.thumperfaq.com/oil.htm<a href="http://www.maximausa.com/technical/lubenews/LubeNews2002.pdf">

http://www.maximausa.com/technical/lubenews/LubeNews2002.pdf</A>

My own choice of oils for the Recon is Maxima ATV Premium 4T. I do not run synthetics in any of my autoclutch bikes. Pick an oil that is API SG and JASO MA. <a href="http://www.thumperfaq.com/oil.htm" target="_blank&gt;http://www.thumperfaq.com/oil.htm&lt;/A">

<a href="http://www.maximausa.com/technical/lubenews/LubeNews2002.pdf" target="_blank&gt;http://www.maximausa.com/technical/lubenews/LubeNews2002.pdf&lt;/A">

<a href="http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html#Oil" target="_blank&gt;http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html#Oil&lt;/A">

 

Thanks for the tip on the oil screen. I purchased my 250 in 2000 new and have changed the oil twice a year but never cleaned the screen. You said remove the "front crankcase cover" or "outer clutch cover" to access the screen. Could you describe the location of this cover or direct me to a schematic to help me get started?

Thanks

 

Reconranger,
I notice here you say you don't run the full synthetic in your auto clutch atv's but in other posts you say you run it in everything."My personal favorite however is Maxima Extra, an ester based full synthetic. I run it in everything, including my Ranchers." I am using Maxima Extra in my 06 Rancher because I have a friend who uses it for their moto x team.I thought it would help the air cooled engine run cooler. Am I wrong here?

 

This is a 2 year old post that somebody dug up..........things have changes since then!

The confusion about running synthetic in autoclutch machines comes from the old days when Honda put a fair amount of moly in their HP4 synthetic blend (this was before the JASO MA/MB ratings existed). There is now thankfully a moly free HP4, and a seperate HP4M that does contain moly and is only intended to be used in the engine side of the 450R and not in any other machine.

Back then, Honda was not listing HP4 for its autoclutch machines, so we assumed that was because of it being a synthetic blend....but it was actually because of the moly. Anyway, a couple years ago I began testing HP4 (without moly) in my autoclutch machines and had absolutely no problems. I then made the switch to full synthetic....and no problems there either!

So, I have now been running Maxima Extra ester based 100% synthetic in all my machines, autoclutch and full manual for a while now! It is rated JASO MA, and is safe for any wet clutch. But, if you are looking for an inexpensive petroleum oil, I would still recommend Maxima Premium.

 

I'll stick with the Extra. My Rancher gets a pretty good workout when we ride! Thanks for the reply!

 

I’ve had the same 250 recon since I was a child myself. I’ve had it past the intake in water for hours at a time it’s whole life, barley ever changed the oil, flipped it several times Over 30mph. Thing is strait as can be completely original. I can go outside and it will bust off immediately (no choke). These recons and ranchers will be around 50 years from now.