Okay, so I’ve been messing around with my BMW motorcycle, specifically the 650 model. It all started because I wanted to do some basic maintenance myself, you know, save some money and learn a thing or two.
First things first, I gathered my tools. Nothing fancy, just a basic set of wrenches, sockets, and a torque wrench. I also made sure I had the correct oil and filter for the bike. I looked it all up in the owner’s manual—super important to double-check that stuff.
Getting Started
I started by warming up the engine a little bit. It makes the oil flow better when you drain it. Then, I put the bike on its center stand to keep it stable and found the oil drain plug underneath. I carefully placed a drain pan under it and slowly unscrewed the plug. Man, that old oil was dark!
- Warmed up the engine.
- Put the bike on the center stand.
- Located and unscrewed the oil drain plug.
- Drained the old oil into a pan.
While the oil was draining, I moved on to the oil filter. It was a bit tricky to get to, but with the right socket, I managed to loosen it and spin it off. Some oil spilled, so I made sure to have some rags handy to wipe it up.
Next, I put some fresh oil on the rubber gasket of the new filter and screwed it on by hand until it was snug. Then I used the torque wrench to tighten it to the correct specification—again, the owner’s manual is your friend.
Once the old oil was completely drained, I put the drain plug back in, also using the torque wrench to get it just right. I really don’t want any leaks!
Finally, I poured in the new oil, checking the level with the dipstick. I added a little at a time until it was right in the middle of the “min” and “max” marks.
Finishing Up
After that, I started the engine and let it run for a few minutes, checking for any leaks around the drain plug and filter. Everything looked good, so I took it for a short ride. The bike felt great, and I felt pretty good too, knowing I did it all myself!
It wasn’t rocket science, but it was definitely satisfying. Plus, I now feel more confident about tackling other small maintenance jobs on my BMW 650. Next up, maybe I’ll try adjusting the chain…
