How to Change the oil on your V-Star / Dragstar XVS650A 650

Changing the oil in your V-Star 650 is so easy a caveman could do it. This bike is also known as a Dragstar 650 (European name), XVS650A, Silverado, vstar, v star, and 650. The following maintenance instructions for performing an oil change are applicable for model years 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Tools required:
17mm combination wrench
4mm allen wrench
5mm allen wrench
oil waste container
funnel
rags

Optional:
nitrile gloves
a piece of cardboard
aluminum foil

This job takes approx 45 minutes, but will get faster with practice.

Parts required:

Oil filter
Oil

Begin by having a clean and clear work area. Lay down your piece of cardboard, to catch any oil drips or spills. Now that you have your bike over your piece of cardboard, and complete list of tools, materials, and parts, you are ready to begin. Start by warming up the bike for 5 minutes; this will allow the oil to drain more easily and completely.

Step 1: Grab your 17mm wrench…we are ready to remove the drain plug. Gloves will help keep your hands clean during this part as well as throughout the job. A cool trick to help the oil drain faster is to remove the oil cap. A small piece of foil over the pipes will help protect the chrome and also cut cleanup time.

Step 2: remove the oil filter housing. Grab your 4mm allen wrench and remove the three 4mm allen bolts which hold on your decorative cap. Under this cap there are five 5mm allen bolts that need to be removed on the sollet cover. Make a chart for where each bolt goes…these bolts vary in length and will need to go back in their original holes to ensure that your cover is secured to your bike.

Step 3: Using your fingers, remove the oil filter. Make a mental note of the orientation of the filter so that the new one gets installed correctly. Lix 24936 is a suitable filter, however there are many other brands to choose from. You may or may not need to replace the o-ring.

Step 4: Rub a small amount of oil over the entire o-ring and set it into the groove at the top of the oil filter.

Step 5: Install the new filter.

Step 6: Replace the covers.

Step 7: Cleanup.

Step 8: Replace drain plug.

Step 9: Add oil. Using a funnel, add 2 quarts of the oil of your choice. Some say that synthetic gets better mileage between changes and helps your engine live longer, however standard motor oil works fine as well. Start the engine and allow oil to flow into the new filter as well as through the rest of the engine. Shut the bike off and check the level in the sight glass. Add oil until the sight glass is full. Check for leaks at the drain plug, oil cap, and oil filter housing. Congratulations! you are now ready to hit the road with fresh oil in your V-Star 650.