How To: Yamaha XSR900 Oil & Filter Change

Time needed: 30 minutes

Changing the oil and filter on a Yamaha XSR900 can save you a lot of money. Follow these instructions to do it exactly as a dealer would.

1. Step 1) Remove the oil fill cap

   Step one is to remove the oil fill cap.
   While you’re there, you may as well check your oil window screen to see your oil level and color.

2. Step 2) Remove oil drain plug

   To remove the oil drain plug on a Yamaha XSR900 you’ll need a 17mm socket wrench.
   Make sure you don’t lose the washer around the drain bolt (drain plug).
   Check the drain plug for any metal shavings that would show wear in the engine.
   Check the washer for any signs of wear that would mean it needs replacement.

3. Step 3) Remove oil filter

   Remove the oil filter using an adjustable oil filter wrench.
   If your XSR900 is presently using a K&N oil filter, you can use a 17mm bit to remove the oil filter.
4. Step 4) Lubricate the new oil filter

   Lubricate the new oil filter by running a bit of clean new motorcycle oil over the black rubber gasket that runs along the bottom of the oil filter.
   Lubricating your oil filter’s o-ring prevents you from having to deal with a seized on oil filter the next time you try to change your oil.

5. Step 5) Install the new oil filter

   You can install the new oil filter once all of the old oil is done pouring out.
   The torque specification for the oil filter is 17 Nm (12 ft-lbf) according to Yamaha’s factory service manual.
   Using the correct torque specifications are important because they stop you from over-tightening the oil filter (which could damage the filter or motor) or under-tightening the oil filter (causing a leak).
   To avoid problems, I recommend using a cheap but effective torque wrench like this one. They’re very easy to use, you just twist to set the wrench to the desired torque spec.

6. Step 6) Install oil drain plug and washer

   Next, install the oil drain plug (and the washer) back into your Yamaha XSR900.
   The torque specification is 43 Nm (31 ft-lbf).
   You should clean the oil drain plug and washer of any old oil and debris before putting them back into your motorcycle.
7. Step 7) Pour in new oil and check the level

   The last thing to do is pour in your new 10W-40 semi-synthetic (or 10W-40 full-synthetic) motorcycle oil and check the level in your oil level window along the way.
   If you replaced only the oil, but kept your old filter, you will need 2.4 litres of oil.
   If you replaced both oil and filter, you will need 2.7 litres of oil.
   Pour in just a little less than the amount of oil you need and check the oil fill window.
   Start the motorcycle and watch the oil level go down, turn the motorcycle back off and watch the oil come back up again and settle.
   The oil level should be halfway between Min and Max.
   If the oil level is too low, add more. If it’s too high, drain a bit from the drain plug.