How To: Change the Oil on a Triumph Street Triple R

By the time you’re done reading this article and watching the video, you’ll be able to change the oil and filter on a Triumph Street Triple R yourself, exactly how a mechanic at a Triumph dealership would. I’ll be showing you, step by step, how to change the oil on the Triumph Street Triple exactly how Triumph’s official service manual instructs. You’ll learn how to do it like a dealer, without having to pay to take it to a dealer.

Note: These instructions are for the Street Triple, not the Speed Triple. The Street Triple is the 675cc engine version, if that’s what you have, you’re in luck! If you have a 1,050cc Triumph, this isn’t for you.

Tools you need to change the oil and filter on a Triumph Street Triple R

Good news, even if you have no tools whatsoever (hey, no judgement), you can still change your Triumph Street Triple’s oil yourself with only a minimal investment. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Torque Wrench: Even this one for $35 promises to be accurate within 4% +/-. 96% accuracy is a lot better than guessing by feel.
• Basic Socket Set: You’ll need at least a 13mm bit and possibly a 17mm bit, both are in this basic socket set for $22.
• Oil Filter Wrench: I’m a big fan of this one because it’s size adjustable, but if you want to go crazy with it, I also use this set. Note: If your bike already has a K&N filter on it, and you plan on putting a new K&N filter on it, all you’ll need is a 17mm bit.
• Stuff to Keep You Clean: I’d recommend having some gloves on and some rags close by.
• Oil Disposal Stuff: Drain pans and a plan for disposing your oil.
• Motorcycle Lift, Stand, or Jack: You’re going to need a way to keep the Street Triple R totally upright. I use this motorcycle table lift. If all of these options are out of your price range, just have a friend hold the bike up for you. If you can afford it, and you want the best motorcycle table lift for your buck, you should check out this review.

How to change the oil and filter on a Triumph Street Triple R

Go everything you need? Perfect. Let’s glove up and get dirty. There are 6 steps you’ll need to take to change the oil on a Triumph Street Triple. They are:

1. Checking the oil level
2. Draining the oil / removing the drain plug
3. Removing the oil filter
4. Installing the new filter
5. Installing the new drain plug
6. Pouring in new oil and rechecking the oil level

Note: This how-to guide is aimed at the first time do-it-yourself, so I’ll try to explain everything along the way. If you need a clearer picture of what to do, I suggest you watch the video in full. The video is only 8 minutes, but it’s perfect for visual learners.

Click the little unmute button in the bottom left corner to unmute the video.

1) Checking the oil level

The purpose of checking the oil level before we get started is to make sure that your motorcycle hasn’t been burning oil or leaking oil since the last oil change.

The process for checking the oil on a Street Triple, based on Triumph’s service manual is:

• Start the bike and let it idle for 5 minutes.
• Turn off the bike and let it sit for 3 minutes.
• Hold the bike in the upright position (use a lift or have a friend hold it up for you).
• Take out the dipstick and clean it, then put it back in.
• Take the dipstick out again and check for the oil level as it compares to the Min. and Max. markings on the dip stick.
• Leave the dipstick out.

If your oil level was over Max. it might have been overfilled last time. If it’s under Min. your bike might be burning oil and you should keep an eye on that to see if it happens again.

2) Draining the oil / removing the drain plug

With the motorcycle still warm so the oil will flow smoothly, you’ll want to remove the drain plug.

• The drain plug comes off with a 13mm socket.
• Make sure you don’t loose the little washer around the plug.
• Check the plug for any metal shavings from inside your engine and check the washer for any signs of wear.

3) Removing the oil filter

Remove the old oil filter.

• You can use Triumph service tool 13880313 or a cheap universal oil filter wrench like this one instead.
• If your Street Triple is using a K&N oil filter, all you need is a 17mm bit.

4) Installing the new oil filter

This part is a little more complicated than just sticking the new filter in place of the old ones. There are a few things to make sure you do right so you won’t have trouble down the road.

• Your new filter has a black rubber o-ring that you must lubricate to avoid the filter seizing to your motorcycle. To lubricate it, dip your finger in some clean oil and then run it over the o-ring.
• Screw the new filter on just a few turns by hand.
• Set a torque wrench to 10 Nm (7.38 ft-lb) and tighten the filter with the torque wrench.

Note: Torque wrenches let you tighten a filter or bolt to a specific tightness. If you follow Triumph’s torque specifications, you’ll never have to worry about having a bolt or a filter too tight or too lose on your Street Triple.

Part you’ll need: I recommend the KN-204 performance oil filter by K&N. K&N is a premium oil filter company, and their oil filters are extra easy to work with because you don’t need any special tools to remove them, just a 17mm bit, or a wrench.

5) Installing the oil drain plug

Once your Street Triple is no longer dripping oil, it’s time to put the plug back in.

• Clean the plug of any old oil or grime.
• Screw the drain plug in just a few turns by hand.
• Set a torque wrench to 25 Nm (18.44 ft-lb) and tighten the drain plug with the torque wrench.

Note: A drain plug that’s too loose will leak oil, and a drain plug that’s too tight could do permanent damage your engine casing. That’s why I always recommend tightening with a torque wrench. You can get a decent one for under $40, which is worth it if you plan on doing more work on motorcycles yourself.

6) Pouring in new oil and rechecking the level

You’ll want to pour in about 3.1 litres of oil, but more importantly, you’ll want to check that the oil level is correct just like we did in Step 1 to make sure you have the right amount of oil in your motorcycle. Both too much, and too little oil can damage your Street Triple’s engine in different ways.

• Pour 3.1 litres of oil in through the filler.
• Close oil filler and dipstick and repeat Step 1) Checking the oil level.
• If the oil level is below Min. on the dipstick, pour a little oil in through the oil filler.
• If the oil level is above Max. on the dipstick, let a little oil out from the drain plug.
• Lastly, if the oil level is between Min. and Max., put your tools away and go for a ride.

Note: If you got any oil on your engine while you were doing your oil change, you may smell a bit of a burning smell. Try to clean it up without burning yourself, but don’t worry too much. The oil will slowly get cooked and evaporate without damaging your motorcycle as it heats up.

Part you’ll need: Triumph’s service manual says you can use either a semi-synthetic or a full-synthetic motorcycle oil, either 10W-40 or 15W-50, as long as it meets or exceeds API SH (or higher) and JASO MA. My recommendation for a semi-synthetic is Motul 5100, or Motul 7100 for a full synthetic.

COMMENTS: Were the instructions easy to follow? Please let me know by leaving a comment, or feel free to ask a question.