Changed the oil today, new 10-40 Amsoil and filter. You all have probably done this 100's of times. But here is what I am excited about: I have the Altrider skid plate that I really don't want to remove every time I change the oil. So, with a little trepidation I began the process. Cue the dancing minions: the oil filter came out easy -- zero problems! Of course, there were a few bugs to work out, like how do I unscrew the old filter? I tried a tool from Motion Pro, but it did not work. Finally resorted to large and violent looking filter remover pliers. They worked, but really bent up the outside of the old filter. Next issue: how to prevent the oil pouring out all over the inside of the skid plate? I bought some oil absorbent pads from an auto parts store, then cut to shape for inside the plate. Voila! A mostly perfect solution to the messy problem. The pads absorbed most of the oil that leaked out from the old filter. The rest was easy to wipe up. The new filter went in easy, and I then hand-tightened, then used a Pennzoil tool that is a plastic handle with a reinforced rubber strap that tightens the filter in small increments. Easy! I am seriously relieved that I don't have to remove the skid plate! ::015:: Little details: the oil drains out of the two drain holes in the skid plate well. However, the rear drain hole allows perfect placement of a socket and ratchet, but the oil drains onto the plate and not out the hole cleanly. The front drain hole does not allow a socket and ratchet to reach the drain bolt, but the oil does drain out of the hole in the plate perfectly. Not a big deal, I'll just need to buy a set of swivel-sockets. Always something! For anyone looking for a good skid plate, that will allow an oil and filter change without needing to remove the skid plate, look into buying the Altrider plate. But wait! There's more! Tomatocity gave me a tip that has proved very helpful for pouring in the exact right amount of oil without guess work. Buy a medium plastic measuring cup, most dealers still sell them for customers that still work with premix for two strokes. Free marriage advice: DON"T use one of your wife's kitchen measuring cups! From a four quart jug (or one quart) of fresh oil, pour off into the measuring cup 13.12 ounces, then simply pour all the rest into the engine. Perfect amount! I pour the excess new oil into a spare one quart bottle of Amsoil, and then pour the old oil into the four quart jug I just poured into the engine. Later I will take the old oil to a recycler. Tomorrow I go back to the dealer for the metal "gaskets" washers that Yamaha calls for everytime you change the rear gear lube. That will be tomorrow's chore.
