Hello Everyone!

Yes I have been having lots of fun lately, but every now and then you gotta do some work. Let’s turn our attention back to the motorcycling world a bit and I’ll give you a nice meaty maintenance how to for the 2006 Yamaha V-Star 650 pictured above. This is a low mileage bike that is in for a basic oil & spark plug change. I am going to do this down on the ground without using a lift, just like the majority of you who do this yourself will.

First lie down on the left side of the bike and identify the oil drain plug on the side of the block.

This 17mm plug will be a lot easier to remove if you have an obstruction wrench like this, but might be able to be done with a normal box end. (I didn’t try sorry)

These 2 shots show the wrench on the plug for removal to give you a better idea of where it is.

Next to get to the oil filter you have to remove this fake “derby” cover.

Now you can access all 5 of the bolts holding the oil filter cover on.

This long handled ball end Allen wrench is optional but I am glad to have it for jobs like this.

Here’s the back side of the cover showing the location of the long bolt in the center.

Be sure you pay close attention to how the oil filter sits in the crankcase so that you put the new one back in the same way.

Here’s the other end of the filter.

Be sure to clean this hole out well with a CLEAN lint free shop rag.

When you are cleaning the oil filter cover inspect the o-ring thoroughly and if you have any doubt about its condition replace it. Absolutely, under no circumstances should you use any type of sealer here.

The new oil filter is sitting in place.

This shot shows the location of the long bolt on the front of the oil filter cover.

While you are putting the drain plug back in make note of the oil sight glass. For reasons I will explain later I despise these archaic things, especially on bikes without a centerstand. But this engine is actually a detuned and over decorated direct descendant of the best air cooled 1980’s Japanese cruiser to ever exist the Virago, so I understand why this engine has one.

On top of the left crankcase you will find the oil filler cap, take it off, insert a good clean funnel and pour in 2 ½ quarts of any good brand of oil the meets the minimum API standards for the engine. Put the cap back on and get your lovely assistant straddle the bike and hold it straight up and check the oil level in the sight glass. It should be over the top of the glass at this point.

Start the engine and let it run at idle for just a minute and then shut it off.  Once again have your stunning, ravishing, gorgeous, assistant hold the bike in a vertical position and verify the level of oil in the sight glass and if needed add more until it is at least halfway up the sight glass as shown here.

Let me add a slight disclaimer, when checking the oil level resist the urge to nibble on you beautiful assistants ankle, she might be ticklish and drop the motorcycle on your head.

At this point I am ready to replace the spark plugs, first gather your tools and parts. Because the plugs are recessed so deeply into the heads I recommend the use of either a locking extension as shown here or a factory plug wrench.

If you tend to be ham fisted, I am going to urge you to get a service manual and use a torque wrench to tighten the plugs to their specified torque values, because aluminum heads are easy to strip out. I warned you so be careful not to over-tighten your spark plugs.

Here’s a shot of an original plug next to an new plug.

Once you get the first head done, it is time repeat the process on the other cylinder.

Put the wires back on, hit the starter button and go for a ride!

Don’t forget to properly dispose of the old filter and recycle your oil!

Peace Y’all