Oil change and a surprise

I've had my blade for a few months now so thought I'd have an oil change. After a bit of research and discussion i opted for Castrol synthetic and a hiflo pattern filter. Next time I'll try a K&N.

Here we are, all set for buisnies.......




This was the first time I have had to remove the side panels. More complex than it should be in my opinion and I noted a couple of lugs were already broken. To get the RH panel off I removed the lower cowl. That's where I had a surprise. On the left hand side the rear allen bolt has a spacer to account for the gap between the cowl and the bolt, about an inch.




As soon as the bolt came out it dropped to the floor with a clang. Odd I thought. Then I saw what the spacer was - a socket!
Now this bike has a full Honda dealer service history (until today I guess). Who knows what goes on when a bike or car goes out of sight into a garage?




The oil change was fine and it took 3.5L




I took the bike for a quick blast and it is definitely better. The engine revs more freely and the gears are smoother too
I'm thinking of a K&N air filter next. Anyone tried one?

 

FFS - every pic I post here from my phone comes out sideways!

 

Regarding the photos my iphone does the same,to overcome it use phones photo editor and rotate photo 180 then save then 180 again and save. Photo should be showing right way up on your phone and should now post here right way up.
Dont get a k&n air filter without a power commander as you run the risk of engine damage.
Same oil i've used and noticed similar results,others here say silkolene better so am gonna try it next year.

 

RRoss - I've got a power commander 5. Would it have to be remapped for the K&N air filter?

Thank for the iPhone tip too. It's so weird as they are the right way up on my laptop before I post them. Dark Apple forces are at work here!

 

engine damage because of a KN air filter?

 

I could be wrong but most people with a blade have changed to an aftermarket exhaust. If you then fit a k&n or similar higher flow air filter will this not affect the air/fuel mixture and cause the bike to run lean?
I do know that a lean running engine runs hotter internally and can result in damage to the plugs,valves and even pistons.
Hence why people fit Power Commanders to correct the mixture and ensure engine runs efficiently,releasing more power.

 

Sorry for the off topic, but the next time when you changing the oil (but not the filter) you won't have to remove any fairings

 

Don't think that it will run lean because the lambda sensor (standard) adjusts the mixture according to what comes out of the engine.More air in means more fuel added.The only time a lambda can make it run differently is when the cat is cold and not up to temperature.
Power commanders use a lambda 02 eliminator to bypass this system.Otherwise the commander would ask for more fuel in and the lambda would put the mixture back or bring a fault light on.

 

Was the bike sitting level when you checked oil level?? 3.5L seems a bit too much oil, i find sitting on the bike when checking oil level gives a better result, my oil change took 3.1L to the upper mark on the dipstick. Too much oil can be as bad as not enough

 

no fitting a filter will not damage your engine in any way,tbh it wont really give you any benefit apart from the ability to clean it.

 

Ok,so cats gone,scorpion exhaust fitted and if I fit a k&n filter then as mentioned in this thread I don't need to fit a power commander as the standard system will handle any fuelling changes saving me £500 quid. Yes/No?

 

You're holding it wrong ©Steve Jobs

 

it may need a PC,but down to the can not the air filter,it wont do any damage,but the bike may feel a little lumpy or feels like it's hunting.just run it and see,you could even just go for ppower run on a dyno,costs about 30-40 quid,and the trace on the graph will show up any fueling issues,then you can decide if you want to go for the full set up.

 

You can always check as to how your post will appear by clicking the 'Go Advanced' option.

 

When I last changed the oil and filter on my RR9, I was able too without removing the lower fairing

 

Was the bike sitting level when you checked oil level?? 3.5L seems a bit too much oil, i find sitting on the bike when checking oil level gives a better result, my oil change took 3.1L to the upper mark on the dipstick. Too much oil can be as bad as not enough

Yup it was dead level and not on the paddock stand. I put in 3L then started it - ran for 3/4 mins. Turned off waited 4 mins then checked the level. Topped up then ran again then checkd. Then one more cycle.

 

How did you manage that?

Changing the filter without removing the bottom section