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Longdistancestyle Carpe Diem…in Your Garage! By Deb Gasque #182082
MOST OF US HAVE heard the inspira- tional saying at one time or another: “Carpe Diem” (seize the day). As Eleanor Roosevelt
thor- oughly explained,
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” One frigid day this past January,
while trying to keep the winter blahs at bay, I sat through my morning cof- fee yearning for a “newer and richer experience.” I wanted to learn some- thing remarkable and functional. I wanted to color outside of the lines. I desperately wanted my being to be placed way outside of the box. As I racked my brain trying to figure out what I could do to excite and enhance the stalemate of a day that was ahead of me, I had an epiphany. I suddenly recalled all the ribbing I had gotten over last year’s riding season from a few close friends about my lack of ability to do my own motorcycle maintenance. My favorite question: “You may be the Fashionista and can drive thousands of miles across the country in a few days, but can you change your own oil?” That was it! There was my answer! That January day, I was determined to join the small world of women who wrench. I marched off to the wondrous man
cave, where my husband was in deep hibernation, and shouted “Carpe Diem!” He jumped, sighed and with a pensive look on his face asked, “What are you up to now?” He knew my win- ter antics were in play again…schem- ing and dreaming. Following the big reveal of how I wanted to learn simple motorcycle maintenance, he smiled
64 BMW OWNERS NEWS March 2016
and was actually very proud of my deci- sion. After a brief consultation, it was decided that an oil change and tire pressure check would be a great starting point. I bundled up and took my two-wheeled steed out for a quick, brisk ride to warm and circulate the engine oil. Upon return- ing and after the engine case was cool enough to touch so as not to burn my hands, we began the lesson. I am sharing my instructions and photos in order to empower others out there who also may want to learn some light maintenance. (Note: I put on some rubber gloves so as not to end up with oil-stained hands and fingernails—that would not be Fashionista-worthy!)
1. Unscrew the oil cap. This allows air in to allow the oil to drain out freely.
2. Place a container under the engine case to catch the used oil. Make sure
it’s large enough to hold all of the old oil that will drain out (my ’94 R 1100 RS holds approximately 3.5 liters).
3. Locate the oil drain plug under the engine case (right side on my
motorcycle).
4. Using a wrench that fits your particu- lar oil plug, carefully unscrew the
plug. Check your M.O.M. (Motorcy- cle Owner’s Manual) for specifics on tools and oil capacity. As the oil begins to gush out into the holding container, try to keep ahold of the plug so you won’t have to fish it out of that black, gooey mess.
5. Allow the old oil to drain completely out. It will take several minutes.
6. Clean your oil plug with a rag or paper towel, and then wrench it back
into place when the oil has stopped
flowing. (Make sure you also have the crush washer that fits on the oil plug.)
7. Check your M.O.M. to find out where your oil filter is located (left front
bottom on my motorcycle), and with your oil waste container in place, use your oil filter wrench to remove the filter and allow this area to drain. Try to catch the old oil filter with your hand as it’s exiting so as not to make an oily mess all over your workspace.
8. Once it has completely drained, use a few paper towels to thoroughly wipe
out old oil and black sediment in the recessed area where the filter sits. Here are two types of filters that can be used for my bike. (I will use the one on the left.)
9. Pour a bit of oil into the filter (about 3/4 full) and using your finger, lube
the rubber seal on the filter with a bit of oil as well.
10. Screw in the new oil filter with your hands until it feels tight, then tighten
it about another 1/4-1/2 rotation with your wrench (you want it snug with a proper fit).
11. Add fresh oil with a funnel (again, check your M.O.M. for type and
amount).
12. Be sure to pour in small increments and allow a few moments. Then
check your oil level so as not to over- fill! The level of oil should be level with the red dot in the center of the sight glass located just in front of the engine case on the left side of your motorcycle.
13. Replace the oil cap!
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