Newbie needs help with oil change

Got this bike last fall, 86 VF500F, and i'm getting ready for the oil change. My question is; is there torque specs for the oil filter and the plug? Bought a Honda filter and a new crush washer for the plug. My other bike requires both these to be torqued. I don't own a torque wrench, so is tightening the filter with my bare hands be enough? And the plug, hand tighten it and add a quarter turn or so with the ratchet/wrench?

Any advice is welcome! Thanks in advance.

 

I just paid over $400.00 fixing mistakes I made by over torguing the drain plug so be careful. Know what you are doing, or learn from someone who knows. Otherwise pay someone at a dealership to do the change. They are responsible for their FU's.

BTW, welcome to this house of insanity. You to can sit in the dar and fubble your lips with your finger.

 

Mastercraft torque wrench @ Canadian Tire $99 20ft-lbs to 100ft-lbs. It'll save you from unnecessary headaches and it'll pay for itself in the long run. Just a thought.

 

Filters should be hand-tight only....if your hands are strong and not covered with oil.

If you want to do your engine a favor, fill the filter by hand about 2/3 full b4 mounting on bike.

With or without torque wrench your drain bolt should be tightened without much force.......then just a bit more, but without putting any big force on the wrench.

 

Where were you Squirrel about 1 1/2 months ago

 

Thought I'd add something here.... I've found running the bike warm (NOT hot or straight after a ride) before draining the oil allows for more of the old oil to come out as it is somewhat thinner. Just take care to not spill the hot oil all over yourself, both my boyfriend and I work with some type of mechanic work glove we were given when working on oil changes. Actually any work on the bikes where a fluid which is carcinogenic is involved gets done with these workman gloves on......

 

oil change is pretty straight forward.

Try to warm the bike center the bike on center-stand, remove cowl, plastic cover.

Remove oil drain bolt and dont let it fall into the oil container...like i always do

remove the oil filter...if its stuck on punch a hole with a screwdriver and torque the filter off.

remember to add a bead of oil to the new filter gasket ( makes removing down the road a lot easier)

Dont..I repeat dont use a cheap fram filter...i crossed referenced a 3593 filter, premium quality and works dandy...i personally will not buy a $10 cheap ass filter if for a bike if I can use one for a car that's a premium quality

of course its your decision..

You should also poke around VFR discussion in the downloads section and see if you can find a shop manual.

regards

Dont know what the torque settings are but start off light and gently but firmly tighten...its very hard to over tighten and do damage to the block...just be careful..

 

torque wrenches are cheap. buy one.

 

And know how to read it!

 

Never use a torque wrench on an oil drain bolt. Hand tight + 1/4 turn. Done. I don't know why people make it so hard.

Filter. Medium hand tight if its an external oil filter. If its an internal filter with metal base and bolt. Then same as oil pan bolt. Hand tight + 1/4 turn.