wheel stand for oil change?

[Guest]

Hey all,
I'd like to change my oil but the center stand is in the way on my GS425L
(do I need to mention the year? they only made them in 1979).

I'm thinking about purchasing a wheel stand to make things easier.
But don't what I should be looking for.

Front or Rear Wheel? (drain plug is towards the rear).
How do I figure out if it will fit my axle or how high it will lift it?

Any advice?
Lena

[Steve]

I can't imagine what the difficulty would be.

I had no problems with my son's 450 when he had it (same basic engine/frame).

What is happening that you think the centerstand is in the way?

.

[tkent02]

Sometimes I put bikes with no centerstands up on jackstands for cars, one under each foot peg mount. Other times I hang them from a rope over a tree branch or rafter. Can also lean it on a wall, or on the side stand, just hold it level a couple minutes to get the last of the old oil out. Not rocket science.

The KTM I just toss on it's side which makes it easier to undo the drain plugs and change the oil filter, then stand it up to dump the oil out. It's easy because it's pretty light.

[Lena]

Steve,
The drain plug is between the two center stand legs and about an inch from one of them.
My drain pan certainly hasn't fit into that space in the past.
Lena

[recycled64]

Any chance of a pic?

[Lena]

How's this?

oil drain 2.jpg

[bwringer]

Overthinker's Anonymous up in here...

Proceed normally with the bike leaned onto the kickstand. Drain what oil you can.

Leave the drain plug off and the drain pan in place.

Straddle the bike and stand it up for a few minutes to get the rest of the oil out. Perhaps a quick game on your phone while you're waiting.

Put it back on the kickstand and finish.

Fill with almost the correct quantity of oil, then check the sight glass with the bike held vertically and fine-tune from there.

[recycled64]

Just got on this thread again, and, yes 425's were only made in '79, but there was no 'L', are you sure about exactly what you have? How about a pic of the whole bike?

[Lena]

Oh my dear, there was most certainly a 1979 GS 425 L
Check out the photo of the original owner's manual.
But thanks for reminding me to upload a pic for my signature.owner's manual.jpg

[Lena]

Hey Overthinker (me, too).
That should work. I think I'll put the kickstand on the curb cut for my driveway.
That ought to make it close to level.
Thanks,
Lena

[recycled64]

Wow, my apologies, never seen one before, looking on Bing, almost looks like an afterthought by Suzuki, only handlebars, stepped seat, and side covers look like the model delineators, no 16" rear wheel. I was getting out of Suzuki retail at the time, had no 'mental imprint' of the of the models' existence, so to speak.

[Lena]

Wow, my apologies, never seen one before, looking on Bing, almost looks like an afterthought by Suzuki, only handlebars, stepped seat, and side covers look like the model delineators, no 16" rear wheel. I was getting out of Suzuki retail at the time, had no 'mental imprint' of the of the models' existence, so to speak.

So, do you know the similarities and differences between the 400-425-450 and/or between the 425E/EN/L?

[recycled64]

More now, lol, what do you want to know that I might also be mistaken about?

[Lena]

I had to look up the word delineators, it made you sound knowledgable but on second thought...

[chuck hahn]

Be carefull and have someone there as you loosen the drain plug..and while putting it back on. Little too much umph one way and its falling over.