I have been eyeballing my oil filter for a half hour. Maybe I am missing the obvious but it appears that removing the oil filter is no easy task on a Vinson. Anyone feel like sharing info on this matter?

Yes I am a moron but a cheap moron as I refuse to fork over 50 bucks to the dealer for an oil change. Also I have read quite a bit about oil choices but does anyone have experience with 100 degree desert oils. Mobil 1 the best?

Thank you.........

 

It is easier if you remove the black plastic that wraps around the gas tank. With that out of the way. It is just a matter of removing the filter.

 

The drain plug is on the bottom of the motor. Look for the one hole in the skid pan. Put a pan under that bolt, blah blah. The filter is behind the right inner fender, removing inner fender would probably allow easier access. Look for the lower radiator hose behind the front diff. It appears to take a standard metric wrench on a special tool?!?!, but not sure as I haven't done mine yet; just reading to you from the service manual and it does say it requires a special tool but it looks as one of those standard filter wrenches you get at your local parts store. Remove, oil gasket and reinstall as you would a car filter. The filter appears to be inverted so so much for filling it with oil first. If it's your first service you need to have your valve clearance checked.

Disregard ANYTHING I said here. Just read copywright date of service manual and it's a 2002.

 

Just did my first oil change on my 2003 and it was pretty simple. (some might be thinking "first oil change on 2003"??) Well, it only has 300Km's on it [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Like mentioned before, if you remove the inner fender, it makes it real easy to get at. I recommend that you get the wrench that Suzuki has for their oil filters because regular automotive oil filter wrenches dont seem to fit. I'm in Canada and Suzuki's oil filter wrench was only $10, so they're pretty cheap. Once you hand tighten the oil filter, give it a couple good turns with the wrench on. I didn't have the wrench when I first did mine, and only hand tightened the oil filter but noticed that when the bike was running, there was a lot of air being sucked in. I bought the wrench, gave the filter a couple turns and the air problem was gone.

 

Go to Wal*Mart and pick up a Fram filter for $5. I've been runnig this filter since the first service after the break in. Put either Mobil 1, or the recommended (regular) oil in it. To access the filter (easiest) remove the inner fender on the throttle side. If you have a jack, remove the fr. tire. No one attempting self service is a moron. The fact that you aren't shelling the $ out to the dealer for routine maint. proves you are above average in intelligence. Go to repairmanuals.com and purchase a shop manual. There is SO much more service info. in there. Don't get screwed by the "man". JMHO.

 

You mentioned a fram filter from WalMart. Do you happen to have the number for it? If not do I just look at the manual and it will point out the Suzuki Vinson? Thanks for your help.

 

I just take the seat off pop out the plastic clips that hold on the black plastic that surrounds the gas tank/engine and remove the screw that secures the air box tube. remove the black plastic in one piece and you can get easy access to the filter.

 

You could get a K&N filter. They have a nut on the top so you can get the dirtbag off the bike.

 

Please dont use a Fram filter on a bike or a auto. I'll dig around and find some old posts with some buudies from TriStateSportbikes (bike Club in northeast, NY,NJ,PA) on a comparison of filters. Took them apart carefully and completly and took pics, after seeing that youll no what I mean. Maybe youve never had a prob with one (fram)I usedhem for years on autos and quads, but it didnt take me long to realize i might actually be taking miles of my rides using one after doing the research on them. I have no probs putin a filter wrench in the side panel hole and getting the filter of without removing any panels, use the socket type wrench for this easy acess.

 

So you would recommend the suzuki filter or do you recommend another brand? I sure appreciate your input!