Getting the bike strait for draining oil

[Relax]

How do you get the Valk straight up for draining the oil?
I am looking for a quick, easy way for this and thinking about a kinda support to put under the flat engine to keep it straight and good...
I hate to bring the heavy lift out to do it so I usually sit on it for a while holding it straight to drain it , but I'd like to get a supprt to just keeep it straight up to dran all oil.
I am thinking about putting some support under the engine or whatever , just to keep it staright up, in a easy way.
Any suggestions?

[Jess from VA]

After getting the engine hot (I usually plan an oil change to follow a long day ride, as soon as I pull in), I line up my catch pan (with a leaf bag under it cause I always have misses), and first pull the filter.  Then, after pulling both the dipstick and the oil fill plug, move the pan back under the drain hole, and simply straddle the bike and hold it centered up.  When it gets down to a trickle, I lean the bike over as far right as I can hold it for a while.  I also usually bump the starter switch a couple times, but quickly enough to not let the motor actually start (thus the leaf bag, this shoots a bit of splatter out the drain hole).

Using this method, my bikes always take a full gallon on refill, and not the 3.9 qts noted in the manual.

It's my experience that my lift with wood adapter interferes with the oil drain hole and esp the catch pan underneath.

I suppose you could use the lift to get two jack stands under the engine guards with the bike level, then drop the lift and pull it out.  But this seems like a waste of time. And the bike would not be level fore and aft.

I save all my synthetic used oil to a five gallon gas can, and when near full take it to my gas station which has one of those heaters that runs off used oil.   

[Joe Hummer]

I stand the bike up after most of the oil has drained and let the remaining little bit drain out from the low side of the pan.  If you just want to hold the bike upright...you can put a pair of jack stands under the highway bars.  Set the high side one so you have to pull on the bike a little to set the other side.  Will be stable as you will find anywhere. 

Joe

[Hook#3287]

Jack stands.

I put one under the right crash bar at the height so the bike just sits on it with a little lean.  Put the other stand on the left in position and lift it so it is under the crash bar.  Go back to the right and give the bike a little lift and move the stand up at the same time.

Unless you knock it off when loosening the drain bolt, it stays.

[Hook#3287]

Crap;

I didn't see Joe's post.

Shoulda said "What Joe said"

[Willow]

A two by four under the sidestand works for me.  After it's down to a really slow drip I'll straddle the bike and lean it right for a bit.

[Bighead]

A two by four under the sidestand works for me.  After it's down to a really slow drip I'll straddle the bike and lean it right for a bit.

+1

[Cracker Jack]

I use an eight inch concrete block under the right side crash bar with a piece of one by six wood or folded up newspaper on top of the block for a softener to protect to crash bar. Position it so the bar hits it when the bike is leaned to the right side.

I then position the drain pan under the drain plug with the pan slid as far to the right as possible and still catch the oil. Do this after pulling the plug to see how far you can move the pan. My drain pan is large enough that the pan still catches the oil after tilting to the right onto the block.

After pulling the plug, tilt the bike to the right so it rests on the concrete block and leave it till the oil is drained. It's plenty stable. Then tilt it back over onto the side stand and replace the plug. Hold the front brake while tilting the bike to keep it from rolling forward or back.

Finally, change the filter with the bike on the side stand. Been doing it this way since 2003 without any problems. An 8 inch block is less than $ 5.00 bucks at your local building supply if you don't have one laying around.

[Bighead]

Hold the front brake while tilting the bike to keep it from rolling forward or back.

you could just leave it in gear


























I know I know Bad Bighead Bad

[quexpress]

Jack stands.

I put one under the right crash bar at the height so the bike just sits on it with a little lean.  Put the other stand on the left in position and lift it so it is under the crash bar.  Go back to the right and give the bike a little lift and move the stand up at the same time.

Unless you knock it off when loosening the drain bolt, it stays.

That's what I have been doing for years.  Easy, peasy!

[Chrisj CMA]

custom made wooden jack stands work the best.  Always ready clean and wont scratch the chrome

[hubcapsc]

Mostly I just stand it straight up while sitting on it for a minute after most of
the oil has drained... I figger what hasn't drained is at least pooled near the
bottom by then.

Last time I drained it while it was in the chock, harbor freight sells a real
cheap chock.

Willow's kickstand on a 2x4 is probably way plenty enough...

-Mike

[G-Man]

I grab the bike by the handlebar in one hand and the passenger backrest in the other.  I take three deep breaths and then I clean and press the bike up over my head and let the oil drain out through the oil fill hole.  Last time I did this, I forgot to remove the oil fill cap so while I had the bike up over my head, I used my tongue to spin the cap off.  Unfortunately the engine was hot and I burnt my tongue a little, but she took the whole gallon so it was worth it.

Hope this helps.

[Bone]

Dam I'd like to see that !

[Gryphon Rider]

I have the bike in gear and lean it right so the right engine guard is supported by a plastic step stool.  If I want the bike level, I put a couple of blocks under the side stand, and a block or two under the right engine guard.

[Jess from VA]

It has always been my feeling (and I may be wrong), that the last half cup of oil you get out by leaning it over right (and maybe bumping the starter), is the dirtiest (heaviest) residue left in the bike. 

Seems to me it doesn't matter how you do, just do it. 

[John Schmidt]

What's wrong with a wheel chock?  Personally, I just put it on the centerstand and let it drain whilst engaging in finding my coffee I just set down....somewhere!?!  For the last few ounces, I just tip the bike back on the stand and if I have a visitor, have them slip a 1x3 under the front wheel to hold it tipped.

[Firefighter]

I use the center stand. Drain it while hot and till it stops drippin. Fill with a gallon.

Want to discuss what type of oil and how often to change???  Hugh!   Firefighter

[Chrisj CMA]

I use the center stand. Drain it while hot and till it stops drippin. Fill with a gallon.

Want to discuss what type of oil and how often to change???  Hugh!   Firefighter

Those of you that have added centerstands, having it may seem "normal" to you now, but the vast majority of Valkyrie owners don't have them.  That's why the original question was asked.

You should use motor oil and change before your socks and underwear can stand up on their own 

[John Schmidt]

I use the center stand. Drain it while hot and till it stops drippin. Fill with a gallon.

Want to discuss what type of oil and how often to change???  Hugh!   Firefighter

Those of you that have added centerstands, having it may seem "normal" to you now, but the vast majority of Valkyrie owners don't have them.  That's why the original question was asked.

You should use motor oil and change before your socks and underwear can stand up on their own 

Yes Chris, I/we are well aware of the lack of a CS on most Valks. That's why I simply suggested "what's wrong with a wheel chock?"  I've used one for years to hold a bike upright when needed and didn't want the CS in the way of what I was doing.

[Chrisj CMA]

I use the center stand. Drain it while hot and till it stops drippin. Fill with a gallon.

Want to discuss what type of oil and how often to change???  Hugh!   Firefighter

Those of you that have added centerstands, having it may seem "normal" to you now, but the vast majority of Valkyrie owners don't have them.  That's why the original question was asked.

You should use motor oil and change before your socks and underwear can stand up on their own 

Yes Chris, I/we are well aware of the lack of a CS on most Valks. That's why I simply suggested "what's wrong with a wheel chock?"  I've used one for years to hold a bike upright when needed and didn't want the CS in the way of what I was doing.

Nothing wrong with a chock, but that's where Judy draws the line.  No bolting crap to the family room floor!  Sometimes women can be so unreasonable 

[ryord]

I Keep my 2001 Standard in a Bike Grab wheel chock, Works great.

[hubcapsc]

I use the center stand. Drain it while hot and till it stops drippin. Fill with a gallon.

Want to discuss what type of oil and how often to change???  Hugh!   Firefighter

Those of you that have added centerstands, having it may seem "normal" to you now, but the vast majority of Valkyrie owners don't have them.  That's why the original question was asked.

You should use motor oil and change before your socks and underwear can stand up on their own 

Yes Chris, I/we are well aware of the lack of a CS on most Valks. That's why I simply suggested "what's wrong with a wheel chock?"  I've used one for years to hold a bike upright when needed and didn't want the CS in the way of what I was doing.

Nothing wrong with a chock, but that's where Judy draws the line.  No bolting crap to the family room floor!  Sometimes women can be so unreasonable 

I bolted my cheapo-chock to a not-very-big piece of plywood... 2x2 maybe.

It just needs to not slide when you ride the bike into-onto it... not sure whether
your rug would help or hurt there... long pile?

-Mike

[BF]

I use a wheel chock.  This one.....





Got it here....

http://www.wheeldock.com/

Here's a thread....

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,66673.0.html

[Patrick]

I have not read the other reply, so, this may be redundant.
I just set a stand under the right crash bar so the bike leans right. A jack under the front of the engine will raise the front slightly higher than the rear.
Drain the oil. You'll fine more than 4 qts will come out.

[Davemn]

Sit on it for 30 seconds. And I thought I had OCD.

[bulabula]

I use a Baxley Wheel Chock.

[Windrider]

I've been doing it exactly like Willow for many years.  Never a problem.

[Tundra]

A two by four under the sidestand works for me.  After it's down to a really slow drip I'll straddle the bike and lean it right for a bit.

+1...Ten minute job, including waiting for the oil to drain. Geez Louise, jacks and jack stands to change oil? Me thinks some great minds tend to overthink and complicate?

[Gideon]

A two by four under the sidestand works for me.  After it's down to a really slow drip I'll straddle the bike and lean it right for a bit.

+1...Ten minute job, including waiting for the oil to drain. Geez Louise, jacks and jack stands to change oil? Me thinks some great minds tend to overthink and complicate?

I agree with Tundra. However, I like the jack stands Chirs made.
My idea cost me a lot more money. I add a C/S Trike Kit.

[Bighead]

I grab the bike by the handlebar in one hand and the passenger backrest in the other.  I take three deep breaths and then I clean and press the bike up over my head and let the oil drain out through the oil fill hole.  Last time I did this, I forgot to remove the oil fill cap so while I had the bike up over my head, I used my tongue to spin the cap off.  Unfortunately the engine was hot and I burnt my tongue a little, but she took the whole gallon so it was worth it.

Hope this helps.

This is my favorite

[R J]

From the purchase of MGM I changed the oil like Willow does.   Then the kids got me a wheel chock for Christmas so I used it till I made the last change.

Then I got a Trike kit, so now I just ride it in the kids shop  and toss a drain pan under it and pull the plug, then pull the oil filter and come back a few minutes later and button him all back up.

Grab a gallon of Mobil 1, toss it in, put the cap on, fire him up (no throttle) and when the rods quit clattering I shut him down.

It has worked that way for over 423,000 miles without a hitch.

[Oss]

I shine the G-Man lantern at the sky and he rides over
lifts up the bike and presto chango its done

[Relax]

custom made wooden jack stands work the best.  Always ready clean and wont scratch the chrome

Thanks , guys!

Seems like next time I pull my saw and stuff out, I'll make such jack stanfs as well;)