How to change your engine oil

[rirons0625]

Thanks WingAdmin! I'll get that spring and washer coming ASAP. As a new guy on the block, I really appreciate this forum and the help that can be found here.

[billyer60]

I changed my oil, but now the "idiot guage" is yellow on my instrument panel. How do you reset this to green? Thanks

[WingAdmin]

I changed my oil, but now the "idiot guage" is yellow on my instrument panel. How do you reset this to green? Thanks

You use the key, as shown:

Oil life indicator reset

[billyer60]

Wow - thanks for the quick response!
I would never have noticed that little slot below the guage. So simple...

[zeusmann]

Well I just changed my oil and I don't know if it was me or the PO that did it but the drain plug got cross threaded and now wont tighten up all the way. When the motor is cold it takes about 10 minutes for oil to build up and it will drip. But when the oil gets warm the drip picks up quite a bit.

The threads on the plug itself are good but the ones in the cover a galled up. Would I be able to re thread it using a thread tool? If so does anyone know what type I should use?

[zeusmann]

I wonder if this would work?
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[billyer60]

If "Eric the Car Guy's" instructions don't work for you because the pan threads are bad, use a heli-coil insert. They are pretty simple to install and work well.

[brisinger]

I just bought a very nice 1976 honda goldwing gl 1000 and searching for info on it found this site. My computer is now locked on and won't be anywhere else for advice. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HELP.

[Choppir]

I have all the items needed now to change my oil, question is I heard about using SeaFoam in the oil how much and how long should I run the engine before doing the change? OH! My bike is a 1982 Honda Goldwing Aspencade 1100A

[WingAdmin]

I have all the items needed now to change my oil, question is I heard about using SeaFoam in the oil how much and how long should I run the engine before doing the change? OH! My bike is a 1982 Honda Goldwing Aspencade 1100A

Half a can is about right, and I typically run mine for about 100 miles - but very easy, i.e. no hard acceleration.

[Choppir]

Thanks for the info that SeaFoam is some good stuff.

[swr1977]

Thanks WA for a great how to article for us that are new to the GoldWing world. I have a few questions for you...

1. You will need a replacement oil filter, with the appropriate O-rings.

I have two oil filters I got with my wing from the PO but no O-rings. I know it's best to replace the O-rings but is it possible to reuse them?

2. You will need four quarts of engine oil. This is the brand and type I use, you can use whatever brand and type you decide is best for your motorcycle.

I'm up in Washington where it's very wet in the winter but I mostly ride only in the summer when it's hot. What oil brand and type would you recommend for my 78-GL1000 ? And does it have to be specifically for or say "motorcycle" on it like what you have pictured?

Thanks in advance for your help and keep up the good work here on the website!

[WingAdmin]

Thanks WA for a great how to article for us that are new to the GoldWing world. I have a few questions for you...

1. You will need a replacement oil filter, with the appropriate O-rings.

I have two oil filters I got with my wing from the PO but no O-rings. I know it's best to replace the O-rings but is it possible to reuse them?

You can certainly reuse them if you take it off carefully and it's not damaged - I don't know I would want to reuse them more than a few times.

2. You will need four quarts of engine oil. This is the brand and type I use, you can use whatever brand and type you decide is best for your motorcycle.

I'm up in Washington where it's very wet in the winter but I mostly ride only in the summer when it's hot. What oil brand and type would you recommend for my 78-GL1000 ? And does it have to be specifically for or say "motorcycle" on it like what you have pictured?

Thanks in advance for your help and keep up the good work here on the website!

Any name brand oil (i.e. a brand you recognize) will work just great, and you should probably stick to motorcycle oil, at least to begin with, to avoid automotive oil types that could damage your wet clutch.

[kf4nxs]

Two questions
1, a couple have mentioned a spin on adapter, is this good and if so where and about how much are they
2, I know JC Whitney used to have the dipstick but I dont think they do any more, where and how much for one of those.

[WingAdmin]

Two questions
1, a couple have mentioned a spin on adapter, is this good and if so where and about how much are they
2, I know JC Whitney used to have the dipstick but I dont think they do any more, where and how much for one of those.

Here's a spin on adapter that is of high quality and will work well: http://randakks.com/collections/honda-g ... gine-parts

As for the dipstick, there are a few - the WinGovations one I know several people have used: http://www.wingovations.com/wingovation ... 4584246734

[swr1977]

I have a 1978 GL 1000 with an oil leak problem after changing oil and filter. The leak is from the filter housing o-ring being to small. (see picture) The original filter housing was been replace by the previous owner with a chrome fancy one and I'm wondering if I have the correct filter/o-rings for what I have?

Would someone please look at the pictures and tell me if I have the wrong filter/o-rings?

I stretched the o-ring and put it back together but I wondering if it'll shrink back & start leaking again?

Any Suggestions or alternate o-rings I can order?

Also it's extremely hard to get the filter housing out being the beauty stand blocks removal. At first I removed the center fitting tube/bolt from the middle of the filter housing but then realized I could just barley get it to fit out with it in. What a pain. Anyone have this problem also and figure out how to solve it or any suggestions for getting it in/out easier?

[WA9FWT]

Looks like you have the right oil filter.Type in the box you see on this page where it says (Search ) Tech talk oil filters.
All kinds of info there.

WA9FWT Phil

[WingAdmin]

It's possible the aftermarket filter cover is a bit larger than the OEM, at least in the diameter of the groove for the O-ring - but I'd be surprised if this were the case. As long as you can get the O-ring to seat in that groove, and it doesn't pinch or roll out when installing the filter cover on the bike, you should be OK.

[swr1977]

It's possible the aftermarket filter cover is a bit larger than the OEM, at least in the diameter of the groove for the O-ring - but I'd be surprised if this were the case. As long as you can get the O-ring to seat in that groove, and it doesn't pinch or roll out when installing the filter cover on the bike, you should be OK.

Well I haven't checked it this-morning yet to see if any leaks. I'm in the middle of putting new coils/wires on the bike so I can't start it right now but last night after I stretched the O-ring and reassembled it I did run the starter to crank over the engine 5-6 times at 15-20 seconds each there were no leaks. But I'm worried about it shrinking back.

Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem and what they did to fix it?

[WingAdmin]

When it is installed, it is held into the groove by the pressure of the cover against the engine block. It can't shrink and come out of the groove - as long as it the cover tight against the block, that O-ring will be pressed tight against both the block and the cover, so it's not going to move or leak.

[swr1977]

When it is installed, it is held into the groove by the pressure of the cover against the engine block. It can't shrink and come out of the groove - as long as it the cover tight against the block, that O-ring will be pressed tight against both the block and the cover, so it's not going to move or leak.

OK Great. I don't remember seeing a groove that the O-ring went into is why I was thinking it would shrink back. Maybe it was there and I just didn't see it. Thanks for your help & explanations!

[WingAdmin]

When it is installed, it is held into the groove by the pressure of the cover against the engine block. It can't shrink and come out of the groove - as long as it the cover tight against the block, that O-ring will be pressed tight against both the block and the cover, so it's not going to move or leak.

OK Great. I don't remember seeing a groove that the O-ring went into is why I was thinking it would shrink back. Maybe it was there and I just didn't see it. Thanks for your help & explanations!

You can see it here on the OEM cover:



Does your aftermarket cover not have that groove?

[swr1977]

Does your aftermarket cover not have that groove?

I don't remember seeing a groove that the O-ring went into is why I was thinking it would shrink back. Maybe it was there and I just didn't see it.

If my does NOT have that groove for the O-ring to sit in... could the gasket shrink and fall into the housing in turn cause it to leak again???

See Pictures:

[WingAdmin]

I don't think so - once it is pressed in between the filter cover and the engine block, it isn't going anywhere. As long it is positioned correctly when installed, you're going to be OK.

[swr1977]

I don't think so - once it is pressed in between the filter cover and the engine block, it isn't going anywhere. As long it is positioned correctly when installed, you're going to be OK.

Thanks again for the info... I finished putting together the spark-plug wires this-morning and also have new coils installed ... took her for a ride today and other then a turn signal bulb out somewhere on my right side she's up and running!

I do have a scrap of cardboard under her tonight to check for leaks but I think it's fixed!

Black Beauty is up and running again!