Like an archaeologist digging through layers of sediment and finding signs of earlier civilizations, I’ve discovered several locations on my bike that have had previous work done. Example: The oil filter bolt.

I presume the bolt was stripped and the previous owner used a cutting disc or angle grinder to fashion some sort of primitive rectangular knob to be able to turn it and get it out. What I can’t understand is why the bolt was put back in. A new bolt can easily be purchased for around $10 bucks.

I used some vice grips to try turn the bolt… after a short battle, I was the victor. It came loose and I drained the thick, dirty, black oil.

• I wiped down the oil filter housing
• Installed a new oil filter
• New rubber gasket
• New shiny oil filter bolt
• Poured in a few quarts of fresh SAE 10W-40

This is my ebay pile. I hope to make a few bucks off this stuff.

This thing essentially keeps water and mud from getting all over your battery and electronics. Kinda dumb to remove it but it just looks awful. Plus, I plan on fabricating a custom battery harness and relocating the battery under the seat. The only thing that held this thing on were two tabs on each side. I just pushed the plastic in a little and it fell through the tabs.

Now you can see right to the battery and air filter.

I guess I could have taken the grab rail off with the turn signals still attached but I was thinking that I had a better chance at selling the pieces separately on eBay.

I’m not sure if the turn signals were supposed to be held on by bolts or screws. I encountered a screw on on the right turn signal and a bolt on the left signal. Weird, but easy to take off. The last thing I had to do was string the wires through the bolt hole.

Removing the seat wasn’t necessary. I just popped open the seat and knocked out the two overhead bolts.

Before I removed the two side bolts I had to disconnect the brake light and turn signal wires from the main wiring harness.

easy