V85 oil change

Roadrunner

The oil change interval on the V85 engine is 10,000km or 6000 miles, and calls for approximately 2L of 10w-60 oil, which is quite difficult to source. Halfords stocks it online, as does Amazon, or Gutsibits. You also need a new oil filter, O-ring, and copper crush washer. Gutsibits lists a different washer in their oil change kit, but it's not copper and shouldn't be required on every service. They're frequently out of the full kit, but just buying the filter, O-ring, and getting a bulk pack of copper crush washers is about the same price and fulfils the same goal. 

  1. Remove the sump bash plate, by undoing the 4x <size> bolts.
  2. Prepare all your tools, to include a <size> socket/spanner for the drain bolt, an oil catch pan, and a <size> socket/spanner for undoing the oil filter. also ensure you have a new filter, O-ring of <size>, copper crush washer of <size>, and optionally a <size> washer for the bottom of the filter bolt (Gutsibits sells this as part of their service package when they have it in stock, but it's not a copper crush washer so I don't think it's 100% necessary).
  3. go for a long spirited ride. try to make it at least 30 minutes, but more is preferable. keep the bike running as you pull into your driveway and put it on the centre stand. Kill the engine only at the last possible second
  4. Kill the engine and then immediately remove the oil drain bolt, taking care not to get hot oil on your hand. if possible, retrieve the drain plug straightaway and inspect the magnetic tip for metal shavings.
  5. let the oil drain whilst you loosen the oil filter bolt, and remove the filter.
  6. clean the filter cover, replace the filter bolt washer if you have it, and replace the assembly with the new filter and O-ring, snugging the bolt up (don't go crazy tightening it).
  7. replace the copper crush washer on the drain bolt(this is mandatory) and clean any metal shavings. 
  8. replace around 2L of oil into the engine.
  9. crank the engine, let it run for 30 seconds, then kill it and wait 5 minutes.
  10. top up the oil til it sits between the min and max lines on the sight glass. don't overfill the oil, as it can cause frothing and Guzzis will typically puke excess oil out of breathers or bad oil seals.
  11. replace the sump guard.