There is a view that it isn't necessary to use a motorcycle-specific engine oil but Super 4 isn't expensive in my view. As our engines only use just over 1 litre at each oil change, I think it is a reasonable insurance policy.
I am also of the view that an air-cooled engine, even in a moderate climate such as in the UK, needs oil with a bit of "body" to it rather than pure synthetic oil - nothing scientific to back that up - just a gut feeling
I have tried a lot of different after-market oil filters. I have seen the cheap re-usable ones (which have a simple screen) collapse as they have very little integral strength so I no longer use or recommend those. The best made ones I have found are the Filtrex filters which are very close in design to the genuine Yamaha item.
I always replace the filter, how do you clean it. I would think it's not worth the risk of small holes in the filter but maybe you guys have SUPER filters. Work hardened particles can be very small. What filters are others using, I have been using a stainless type but they are so cheap I assumed they were disposal.
If you replace your filter at each oil change then you may be better off using the cheaper disposable "paper" filters. These do filter better than the mesh type I believe.
Otherwise the mesh filters can be carefully washed out in some form of solvent such as petrol but I can't of course recommend such a hazardous procedure with such a dangerous substance!
There has been a number of questions about changing the TTR's oil and filter so I took some pics of the oil change I have just done.
I will explain how I do it but you may well decide to do things your own way.
Warm the engine first as the warm circulated oil will drain more easily and carry any debris with it.
Remove your sump guard if fitted and make sure that you wash off any dirt from the sump and crankcases.
I prepare by putting a sheet of cardboard covered with newspaper under the TTR as I always seem to spill oil
I cut a side out of an empty oil can and it is ideal for catching the old oil.
Next up is to remove the sump plug. They can be very hard to remove so make sure you use a well-fitting socket (preferably) or spanner. Mine needed a 12mm socket and a huge effort to undo it!
Leave the oil to drain. After a while I rock the TTR sideways a couple of times and more oil always drains out. If this is the first time changing the oil on your TTR, it will give you an idea as to how well the previous owner looked after it by the volume and colour/cleanliness of the oil.
Next up is to remove the oil filter cover to access and change the oil filter. If you loosen the bottom of the three cover screws before the top two it will allow the oil in the filter to drain into the sump - it's a "drain" screw. That way you don't get oil all over the place as the cover is taken off.
Remove the cover and there is your oil filter. New O ring sets are available here.
Have a good look at the old filter to see what's been caught in it. A small amount of shiny metallic particles is OK. On this occasion I didn't re-use the mesh filter as I didn't know its history and just replaced it with a new Filtrex one.
Fit the new filter (it can only go in one way) and replace the cover having first made sure the two small O rings are in place. Then torque the 3 bolts up to 10Nm.
Replace the sump plug after annealing the washer if made of copper or replacing it if made of aluminium.
I use a small jug and funnel to refill the oil. I start with a litre of oil - I use Silkolene Super 4 10w-40 semi synthetic.
I turn the TTR engine over with the choke off to get the oil circulating before pulling out the choke and starting up.
If there are no obvious leaks then, after warming the engine up, I put some clean newspaper underneath to check for any slow leaks.
If all OK, then refit your sump guard if you have one and then top up the oil to the top mark on the sight glass.
All the pics of your filter I just checked don't show a rubber seal on the engine side of the filter. Seems a bit odd but I guess the seal that is important is the one on the "flow" side which you have. So as long as the filter bolts in tight there shouldn't be a problem.
All the filters I have seen (apart from your s/s one) have rubber seals at both ends but your type doesn't - but that's not a problem as explained as long as it bolts up tight to the cover
I use paper.... may as well toss the crap out with the filter...
filters are dirt cheap.... why try and reuse them...
And I'm prob doing 200/ 300km oil changes.. "if that"
$3 each is pretty cheap. I just keep reusing mine. Never much in/on it anyway (apart from that one time I drowned my bike), I find a microfibre cloth gets all the fine bits off nicely.
I bought a 10 pack when I got the bike and after a few changes thought it was a waste throwing them out. On the same one for a year or 2 now. Change oil every 800k or so.
I have a TTR250 from the 2005, europe and I am curious about one thing which I see now. The HF142 is set for my motorcycle in the hiflofiltro catalog but other times I bought a HF141. With exception from a mm in size, what are the differences? materials? can the hf141 be used?
I found a good video showing the oil and filter change procedure on a TTR250 Raid but it's exactly the same as for the Open Enduro.
However, note that the blue models take an extra 100cc of oil, compared to the 6-plate clutch metal-tanked models, as they have a deeper clutch casing to accommodate the 7-plate clutch.
Have a question about oil levels that I havent been able to find the info on so fare, hope someone can help.
When checking your oil level with the sight glass is your bike on its stand? or are you holding it upright ? the service manual does not give this detail.
Only asking as my latest TTR when purchased was over full when held level but was perfect when on its stand.
Thanks
Thanks guys, thats the way I have always checked the level. Just threw me when I picked the new one up as it seems the level has been taken while on the side stand. Bike had just been serviced at a bike shop, good to know they are on the ball!
changed my oil and filter a few days ago, followed the guide to the letter,
now I have a random rattle at certain speeds/revs that I cannot pinpoint,
I cant make the rattle appear raising the revs, only when riding the damn thing.
it sounds like that tinny rattle when a car exhaust heat shield rattles ...... any ideas guys?
Some possibilities: nut/bolt/washer dropped into sump guard, exhaust heat shield loose, chain catching on corner of guard.
The last is a bit obscure but has had some owners tearing their hair out before they sussed what was happening. Hopefully you can see what I mean from the photos.
Martyn, where did you find that data about changing oil every 6000 km? I have a service manual, there is written that changing every 1000 km. I think that's for bikes, which take part in competitions or something that, so I change oil every 3 - 3.5 thousand km. Attach screenshot. That's page 3-1 service manual 1999