Tune-up & Valve Adjustment

[Zuki Dude]

Did my first oil and final gear fluid changes on the M50. Easy stuff (as I knew it would be). The Suzuki VZ800 owner's manual does a great job of explaining the procedures. Here are some helpful tips I found for you first timers:

Parts/Fluids Suggested:
(Brand and fluid weight based on personal preference and area climate conditions)
- 3.6 Quarts Suzuki 4-Cycle Motor Oil, SAE 20W-50
- 6.8-7.4 Ounces Bel-Ray Gear Saver Hypoid Gear Oil, SAE 80W-90
- 1 Suzuki Oil Filter, P/N 16510-03G00-X07

Tools Suggested:
- Motorcycle Jack or Stand or use Spotter
- 67mm Cup Type Oil Filter Wrench (Suzuki suggests theirs (of course) which is p/n 09915-40610. A similar style such as AmPro p/n T70405 can be aquired from an auto parts store.)
- 3/8" Socket Drive Ratchet
- 14mm Socket
- 17mm Socket
- 21mm Socket
- Oil Recycling Catch Canister
- Funnel
- Latex Gloves (or equivalent)
- Clean Rag(s)

Oil Change:
1. Stabilize the bike.
2. Remove the oil filler cap located on the right side of the engine; no tool is needed.
3. Place catch canister under bike and remove the drain plug using the 14mm socket. Let oil drain into the canister.
4. Remove the oil filter with the filter wrench.
5. Using a rag, clean the mounting surface on the engine where the new filter will be installed.
6. Be sure the rubber gasket is installed in new filter (Suzuki brands), and smear a light amount of new oil on the gasket. I always put a little oil directly into the filter as well, to assist with priming ... old school method that sticks with me today even.
7. Install the new filter, hand-turning it until the gasket makes contact with the engine surface.
8. Tighten the filter using 2 full rotations post gasket seating. Suzuki recommends marking the cup-wrench at TDC (top-dead-center) to assist with torquing the filter properly. This can also be done easily by simply eyeing a point on the filter as it turns.
9. Reinstall oil drain plug; tighten securely, but do not over-tighten.
10. Place the funnel into the oil filler hole and pour in 3.6 quarts of recommended engine oil.
11. Start the engine and let run for a few minutes. Turn off; let sit for about a minute. Hold the bike stable and vertical and inspect the oil level through the inspection window located on the bottom right side of the engine. The oil level should be approximately at the "F" line.
12. Recycle your used oil.

Final Gear Oil Change:
1. Stabilize the bike.
2. Remove the oil filler cap from the rear drive unit using the 17mm socket.
3. Place catch canister under bike and remove the drain plug using the 21mm socket. Let oil drain into the canister.
4. Reinstall the drain plug after the oil has drained completely and tighten securely. Do not over-tighten.
5. Hold the bike stable and vertical.
6. Place the funnel into the oil filler hole and pour in approximately 6.8-7.4 ounces of recommended gear oil, or until the oil reaches the top of the filler hole. Wipe up any excess spillage if needed.
7. Reinstall oil filler cap.
8. Recycle your used oil.

I am going to perform my own spark-plug and valve inspections/adjustments soon. I will post the results. Other things that are highly recommended to inspect on a regular basis (not just 600 mile intervals) would be coolant and master cylinder fluid conditions and levels, front and rear brake line tension and pad wear, clutch cable tension, front and rear axle bolts ... there's more, so check your owner's manual.

[t3project]

i'm lazy, i bought a lifetime service plan for $935

[nhoel]

Good info... yeah, the manual explains a lot... However, I'll be waiting for your valve adjustment... I don't think that is covered in the manual on my C50... Good job though...

[Trapper]

Good post Zuke

I stuck a tack in it.

[Fishpart]

Very good post, I'm getting ready to perform my second oil and gear oil change beats dropping off at shop and waiting to get bike back especially for something so simple.

[boghopper]

Very helpful post. I was going to post asking more or less the info you supplied - thanks

[Pinhy]

damn...makes it sound do-able even for me! thanks!

[Zuki Dude]

I knew I should have taken some pics. Thanks Trappercase ... just doin' my part. Like I said, most of this is covered quite well in the manual. I thought for those of you who either lost it or don't have it this would be helpful. Also, as I stated too, the brand and weight of fluids is determined by your riding style and area climate; consult your local mechanic if need be. Tools will vary too; these are only what I used.

[t3project]

good post

[KNIGHTENFORCER]

Zuki dude...i did my first service last week too...(at about 860 miles)the only thing i did'nt check is the valve clearance...i would really appreciate if you could keep us posted when you do yours...any tips would help, like what type of feeler gauge...etc...(did i spell that right?...lol)...thanks!

[Danr]

Here is a crude attempt at scanning and fitting to forum size jpg's on the valve adjustment procedure out of the Suzuki shop manual.
Hope this helps. I have ordered the tools that are specified and was told they will take a while to get in as they are supplied by another vendor other then Suzuki.

[KNIGHTENFORCER]

Danr...thanks man!...btw...which service manual did you use?...the one for the 04 marauder? or M50?...I really like to order one.

[Danr]

Originally Posted by KNIGHTENFORCER

Danr...thanks man!...btw...which service manual did you use?...the one for the 04 marauder? or M50?...I really like to order one.

I used the Suzuki Service manual SUZ:99500-38044-01E
S/M VL800
It is the Pink Book and covers the K1 K2 K3 K4 K5(Fuel Injection) it has it all including the wiring diagram for our bikes M50,C50 S50 etc

I got it off of EBAY from Partsdepot235 it cost me $67.00 including shipping from New Jersey and they except paypal.

[Zuki Dude]

Cool. Thanks Danr.

[KNIGHTENFORCER]

Danr, thanks also for the info. Just want you guys to know that oneida sells them also...but it's an additional $23bucks for the 2005 supplement.

[Danr]

Knightenforger : Here is the Ebay link.


Manual Link

Hey ZD are you going to Biketoberfest ? Would love to see your ride

[Zuki Dude]

Originally Posted by Danr

Hey ZD are you going to Biketoberfest ? Would love to see your ride

Thanks, but no. I'll be at the Taekwondo Fall Nationals at the Disney Sports Complex that weekend (10/18-22). Hmmmm, Sunday's open; wonder if I could convince the wife to ride up on the bike then cruise over to Daytona? ... yeah right.

[KNIGHTENFORCER]

cool...thanx

[neighborscomplaint]

I did mine ... two problems encountered. 1) I couldn't get two full turns out of the filter after gasket contact. 2) I forgot to put the oil fill plug back in before I fired it up! I couldn't believe my eyes when I fired it up and a mist of oil shot into the air and onto the pipes, the sidecovers, the tank, etc. Spent 15 minutes cleaning it up ... duh! Just 1 interruption and the whole train of thought is lost these days!

[Mavman]

God that sucks NC, hope it didn't hurt nothing in the end.
I've changed the final gear oil today, Zuki's post helped encourage my "mechanically challenged self" and it went pretty smooth, what a blessing.