Replacing the oil filter, or, why they have professionals for this stuff...

[Taliesin]

[SIZE=-1]So I've replaced my stator and r/r unit. Drained oil, etc. I'm trying to get things running this evening by tying up some loose ends.

The Plan: Remove old exhaust gaskets, replace oil filter, replace drain plug, fill with oil, replace exhaust with new gaskets, replace battery, connect terminals, start up, look for leaks.

The Execution (This is where it gets awesome):

1. Remove exhaust gaskets.
2. Remove acorn nut securing oil filter cover.
3. Drop acorn nut into sealed used oil container, where it will be lost forever.
4. Swear profusely.
5. Try unsuccessfully to remove nut from container with fingers (encased in latex glove), pliers, magnetic screwdriver, fingers (still in glove), The Force, appeals to God, sheer will.
6. Swear more profusely.
7. Try unsuccessfully to get nut near oil container drain cap. Pour nutless oil out onto garage floor.
8. Swear while mopping up dirty motor oil.
9. Look on the GS Resources forums for size of nut. 10mm, doesn't need to be acorn nut.
10. Swear some more while cleaning up garage, and plan trip to Ace Hardware tomorrow.[/SIZE]

 

[Charlie G]

I have a short fuse and foul mouth on my temper and I can relate to your story. About peppered the monitor with bbq chicken. I can always use a chuckle. Not to many to be found.

cg

 

[Taliesin]

Been trying to cut back on the swearing of late. Working on the bike really doesn't help me with that.

I've been trying to get this stator and r/r replaced since Saturday. As usual, it's been one thing after another going wrong with one thing after another. Tonight, I had a limited amount of time to get things running, and that time was drastically reduced by having to watch the kid for a little while. Always fun, but it meant things would really have to go well for me to get things up and running.

Nearly the first stinking thing I did flubbed the whole evening, though. lol. Really frustrating.

 

[Steve]

Just remember one thing ...

"Professional" doesn't mean they're good at it, only that they get paid for it.

.

 

[suzu650]

[SIZE=-1]
1. Remove exhaust gaskets.
2. Remove acorn nut securing oil filter cover.
3. Drop acorn nut into sealed used oil container, where it will be lost forever.
4. Swear profusely.
5. Try unsuccessfully to remove nut from container with fingers (encased in latex glove), pliers, magnetic screwdriver, fingers (still in glove), The Force, appeals to God, sheer will.
6. Swear more profusely.
7. Try unsuccessfully to get nut near oil container drain cap. Pour nutless oil out onto garage floor.
8. Swear while mopping up dirty motor oil.
9. Look on the GS Resources forums for size of nut. 10mm, doesn't need to be acorn nut.
10. Swear some more while cleaning up garage, and plan trip to Ace Hardware tomorrow.[/SIZE]

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! This sounds EXACTLY like the days i spent working on my bike!!!:lol:

 

[IanC]

Just remember one thing ...

"Professional" doesn't mean they're good at it, only that they get paid for it.

.

Take Wal-Mart mechanics for example. Working in automotive parts (CarQuest and formerly O'Reilly's) I hear so many horror stories about them it's not even a surprise when I hear about them leaving the drain plug out or forget to put oil in anymore. If anyone does this do yourself a favor and stop.


I can relate though. I usually do alright turning my own wrenches but some days right off the bat I do something stupid or something totally random happens and all I can do is curse and walk away.

 

[Rick65Cat]

I thought only I did things like that

**trip down memory lane**

Assembling a '78 GS1000 motor back in 1980 with LOTS of Yoshimura speed parts. (Read about $2000 in parts alone and after all the machine work was done) Being a cheap Scottsman, I figured I could save a buck by doing my own assembly. :-\\\

Started at 5 pm after getting home from work...
Remember too..the motor was disassembled right down to split cases.

All the assembly was being done on the dining room floor of the basement apt. that my (then) wife and I were renting. At 1AM I torqued the last cam cover bolt....sat back and blew a sigh of relief at being done....*while leaning back* I see 2 small dowel looking type pieces on the floor on the other side of the engine..."hmmm..what are these?"
After much scrutinizing of the shop manual, I discover that these are merely the locating dowels between the lower cases and the cylinder block :|
...Sigh

 

[gs road racer]

I have a short fuse and foul mouth on my temper and I can relate to your story. About peppered the monitor with bbq chicken. I can always use a chuckle. Not to many to be found.

cg

Just about peppered mine with bits of bbq steak,,,,visual mental image toooo funny

 

[marvinsc]

Take Wal-Mart mechanics for example. Working in automotive parts (CarQuest and formerly O'Reilly's) I hear so many horror stories about them it's not even a surprise when I hear about them leaving the drain plug out or forget to put oil in anymore. If anyone does this do yourself a favor and stop.

Best one I've heard is they JB welded a guys oil plug. Didn't tell him of course.

 

[cowboyup3371]

JB welded the guy's oil plug? Wow, that had to be a rocket scientist.

I've done that with a car before and fortunately managed to get it out later but still...I sure hope I don't do that with the bike next week when I do my first oil change.

 

[davidduarte]

On my 80 GS450E, I replaced all the studs with allen head cap screws. There's a company in Waterbury CT called, of all things, The Nutty Company, where I got said cap screws, but I've also found them at Lowes. Just be very careful that you don't overtighten them, and you're good to go.

 

[detorn]

last bolt on my oil change I over torqued the last bolt. After all the problems with this bike I just walked away, ordered the parts, and gave up for a week.

the proper nut is like .90 get the right one... It looks better

 

[Guest]

[SIZE=-1]Quote:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]( Try unsuccessfully to remove nut from container with fingers (encased in latex glove), pliers, magnetic screwdriver, fingers (still in glove), The Force, appeals to God, sheer will.)[/SIZE]

I ALWAYS keep a strong stick magnet, telescoping type, within remembered (also a challenge) reach for things like this.

 

[Taliesin]

So do I after this incident!

 

[jknappsax]

I assume (I know, I know) that the acorn nuts are stainless; question is whether it's good enough stainless that a magnet won't stick to it?

 

[Guest]

I assume (I know, I know) that the acorn nuts are stainless; question is whether it's good enough stainless that a magnet won't stick to it?

Magnet sticks to the ones on my 650G- also did on my old 750C

 

[Guest]

I doubt they are stainless steel....probably zinc plated steel & magnetic.:-k

 

[cowboyup3371]

Argghh...didn't bother to check which way my ratchet was turning like I normally do and ended up tightening the drain plug too much when removing it. I think I stripped it out and I'll probably have to buy a new cover.

Why don't they make an idiot proof ratchet for people like me?

 

[Taliesin]

...and me.

Yes, the magnet sticks to the acorn nuts. I retrieved my dropped one with my new magnet stick thing.