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How to Change Oil on a Suzuki Boulevard M50 / C50

Last year we covered how to change the gear oil (tranny oil) on a Suzuki Boulevard M50 / C50, this week we’re going to be covering how to change the oil on a Suzuki Boulevard M50 / C50.

For those that don’t know, the Suzuki Boulevard M50 muscle cruiser is one of my favorite motorcycles of all time. I missed my first one so much, a few years later, I bought another. They handle very well for a cruiser of their size, and provided you give them just the most basic of maintenance, they will last you forever. I wanted to create some content aimed at teaching others who love these bikes how they can look after them themselves.

According to Suzuki, the oil in a Suzuki Boulevard M50 / C50 should be changed every 6,000 kilometers (4,000 miles) or once a year, whichever comes first, this article and accompanying video will tell you everything you need, along with how to change the oil on your Boulevard M50 / C50 in 7 easy steps.

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Watch this video!

What you’ll need

4 litres of 10W40 semi-synthetic motorcycle oil

  • I used a full synthetic oil on my customer’s bike, but even a semi synthetic like this Motul 5100 will be more than good enough and will save you some money.

K&N KN-138 Oil filter

  • You can use either K&N KN-138, which I recommend, or a Suzuki OEM equivalent. For quick shipping I recommend grabbing the K&N.

17mm socket bit and wrench

  • Don’t try to use a standard set of bits, this is a metric bike, your 11/16” has no business here. If you’re in America, go to Harbor Freight and pick up a cheap set. If you’re in Canada head over to Princess Auto or Canadian Tire.

Oil filter wrench

  • I had some old ones picked up over the years, but you can check these out.

Suzuki Boulevard M50 C50 oil change - what you'll need

Torque wrench capable of 20 Nm

Rags, paper towel, a funnel, and a drain pan

  • You’re going to need a little prep work. Spills are likely to happen, so make sure you’re ready. Likewise, you’re going to need somewhere to put all this oil, so make sure you have a plan in mind before starting the project.

Black Widow Table Lift

Instructions

A lot of this will be similar to the M50 oil change guide I wrote back in 2015, but here we go again.

Step 1: With a warm engine, remove the drain plug

Don’t do this too soon after a ride that you’ll risk burning yourself, but while your engine is still warm, remove your drain plug with a 17 mm socket.

Your drain plug has a crush washer that you must not lose, so try to remember that when a flood of oil starts pouring out of your Boulevard.

Suzuki Boulevard M50 C50 oil change - 1 remove the drain plug

Step 2: While the oil drains, remove the oil filler cap

The oil filler cap is on the left side of your motor, it’s where you’ll be pouring new oil into. Take it off while your oil drains out of your Suzuki.

Suzuki Boulevard M50 C50 oil change - 2 remove the filler cap

Step 3: Remove the oil filter

Grab your oil filter wrench and remove your oil filter. It’ll be hard at first and then ease up.

It will take a while for all of your oil to slowly leak out, so after you do this be sure to take your dog for a nice long walk. If you don’t have a dog, borrow one from a neighbor. Dogs don’t get anywhere near enough walks.

Suzuki Boulevard M50 C50 oil change - 3 remove the oil filter

Step 4: Set your torque wrench to 20 Nm

You’re back from your walk, but there’s still a few last drops slowly falling out of your Boulevard. No problem. Now’s the perfect time to set your torque wrench. Here are the specifications:

  • Oil filter torque spec: 20 N·m / 2.0 kgf-m / 14.5 lb-ft
  • Oil drain plug torque spec: 21 N·m / 2.1 kgf-m / 15.0 lb-ft

Suzuki Boulevard M50 C50 oil change - 4 torque specifications

Step 5: Oil the new oil filter’s o-ring

First, give everything a good wipe down. Now’s your chance to clean up! Make sure you’re wearing gloves too!

With a clean glove on, dip your finger in some fresh oil and run it over the rubber o-ring on the bottom of the new oil filter. This helps the oil filter seal properly with your Suzuki Boulevard, and it’ll help make it easier for you to remove it on your next oil change too.

Suzuki Boulevard M50 C50 oil change - 5 oil the new oil filter o-ring

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

The service manual gives you two options. The correct torque specification is 20 N·m / 2.0 kgf-m / 14.5 lb-ft, however if you don’t have a torque wrench, you can simply follow these instructions from the service manual:

Oil Filter Replacing

Whatever works for you. I’ve done it both ways on this bike, and they both work.

Suzuki Boulevard M50 C50 oil change - 6 install the new oil filter

Step 7: Install drain plug and pour in oil

One great thing about doing an oil change on a Suzuki Boulevard M50 / C50 is that the motorcycle has an oil fill screen on the left side of the engine. I strongly recommend measuring how much you’re pouring in though. First, you’ll need to install the drain plug though.

To install the drain plug (and crush washer), I simply get it started by hand, and then use my torque wrench to tighten it up to 20 Nm. Now it’s time to refill the oil.

Oil change capacities:

  • Oil capacity (oil change, no filter change): 3 litres
  • Oil capacity (oil change, with filter change): 3.4 litres

Suzuki Boulevard M50 C50 oil change - 7 reinstall the drain plug and pour oil

Test your work

The last thing you should do is test your work. You’re going to check that everything was put back together (cap back, no extra pieces leftover, etc.) and then fire your bike up. If you start your bike up while it’s still level, you’ll notice all of the oil will disappear from your oil level window. Don’t worry, this is normal.

After you’ve let your bike run for a moment, there are two things you should look for:

  1. That the oil level returns to in between the Min and the Max on your oil level window
  2. That there are no signs of leaks anywhere

If everything checks out, give yourself a pat on the back, you’re done! If you enjoyed or appreciated this content, please give it a Like on YouTube and subscribe to my channel, it would mean a lot!

COMMENTS: Have you changed the oil on your Boulevard before? Do you find it easy? Leave a comment and let me know!

PS: For reference, detailed info follows, but you’re done! Here are the full specifications, so you can have them all in one spot:

Specifications

Oil type: SAE 10W-40, API, SF/SG or SH/SJ with JASO MA
Oil capacity (oil change, no filter change): 3 litres
Oil capacity (oil change, with filter change): 3.4 litres
Engine Overhaul Oil Capacity: 3.7 litres
Intervals: Change oil at 1,000 km (600 miles), and every 6,000 km (4,000 miles) thereafter, or once every year, whichever comes first.
Oil drain bolt torque: 21 N·m (2.1 kgf-m, 15.0 lb-ft)
Oil filter torque: 20 N·m, 2.0 kgf-m, 14.5 lb-ft) or “after contacting the O-ring, tighten 2 turns.”
Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know if you found this helpful! You can check out my review of the Suzuki Boulevard M50 while you’re at it!

About Adrian from YouMotorcycle

I started riding motorcycles in 2007, founded YouMotorcycle in 2009, and was working in the motorcycle industry by 2011. I've worked for some of the biggest companies in motorcycling, before going full-time self-employed in the motorcycle business in 2019. I love sharing his knowledge and passion of motorcycling with other riders to help you as best I can.

11 comments

  1. I like the plot of your article.all the information you shared here is very helpful for bike riders. specially I find the warm engine information very useful and very specified.keep up the good work and keep writing helpful stuff like this post.

  2. Great article Adrian! I love my 2007 M50 too! You are right when you say, “give them just the most basic of maintenance, they will last you forever.” I have put many miles on my Boulevard since I got it in 2013. I had it on four Iron Butt rides around all five great lakes, and I have taken it on a trip from Michigan to Maine and many other rides in between. My M50 is so comfortable to ride I can stay on it for many hours. My wife feels the same way…she even sold her Harley Sportster and got a C50 Boulevard to ride the long rides with me!
    As for the oil change article the only thing I would add is when installing the new oil filter fill it about half-way full of clean oil before putting it on. Also, one thing I never thought of doing before is using the torque wrench on the oil filter. I will have to give that a try on the next oil change!
    Keep up the great work! I will be subscribing to your YouTube channel! In the meantime, keep the rubber side DOWN and the shiny side UP!

  3. What is the size of crush washer needed for the drain plug? Just in case it does go missing? Thanks in advance.

  4. I’m a new rider, and the M50 is my first bike. Thanks a bunch!

  5. This explanation was great. I have an owners manual and it says 14.5 lb-ft for the filter, but lists none of the oil drain plug. Now I know it is 15 lb-ft. For the oil filter I use the K&N 138 which has a 17mm hex nut for easy removal and install.

    Thanks Adrian!

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