24,000 mile service [page 3]

Before getting to the oil change I need to get the engine up to temperature. Before doing that I want to remove the bash plate and re-install the crash bars. I do that with the engine cold to keep tender fingers away from hot exhaust pipes.

Out with the old, in with the new. The old fluid still look black. There was nothing but some dark sludge on the drain plug. Not much of that, either. The O-ring on the drain plug looked and felt a bit rough. It was replaced along with the fill crush ring.

It is apparently impossible for me to remove the oil drain plug without splashing oil around. Not much this time. I did screw up by thinking the drain was a 10mm hex instead of a T55 torx. I did not ruin the drain plug. I can tell that the wrong tool was used. Grumble.

I reset the service indicator and noted the service date and mileage in the riders manual. After taking the above picture I put the tail bag, handlebar bag, and panniers back on the bike. The bike is ready to ride. All tools have been put away and the work area cleaned.