First oil change on my '07 M695. Previous owner used 10-40 Castrol, but I'm pretty sure only the semi-synthetic. He also used a Ducati filter. When I did the change I used the same filter and 10-40 Castrol full synthetic. I put in 3 quarts and it seems a little over-full but the oil looks very clean as though I got all the old oil out.
Anyway, short story long, I let it idle for around 10 minutes and got it up to around 160F. What I noticed most was the exhaust sounded lighter, almost airy and not as throaty as before. It sounds a little more smooth perhaps, but the note is very different. Any thoughts? Could a little excess oil cause this? It seems very odd to me...
put on your helmet and ride.
chances are your just hearing things because you arent that confident in your oil changing abilities yet!
All my bikes are faster after an oil change. [roll]
Quote from: He Man on March 11, 2012, 08:57:36 PM
put on your helmet and ride.
chances are your just hearing things because you arent that confident in your oil changing abilities yet!
First time on my Duc, but I've done it before on a few different cars and bikes. It's noticeably different, though I have no idea why. Found a thread here that is identical to what I experienced:
http://www.rc51forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1315 (http://www.rc51forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1315)
I'll put some miles on it and see what's what.
What volume does the manual call for on a 695? Did the PO add an oil cooler? Just checking to be sure it's full up - you checked the sight glass after running the engine, after the change?
Quote from: Sad Panda on March 12, 2012, 06:37:55 AM
What volume does the manual call for on a 695? Did the PO add an oil cooler? Just checking to be sure it's full up - you checked the sight glass after running the engine, after the change?
The manual calls for approx 3.5 quarts. I put in exactly 3 quarts. After it cooled for several hours I checked again -seemed on the high side, oddly. No oil cooler installed. The bike is pretty much bone stock other than non-engine mods/upgrades.
When you check oil level, bike is upright, not on stand?
Upright, not on the side stand.
Quote from: mgrisham on March 13, 2012, 10:40:26 AM
When you check oil level, bike is upright, not on stand?
Correct. I level the bike (front to back and side to side) when checking the oil. It's on the high-side, but I haven't had a chance to get a good ride in yet...
And you've obviously run it - so that should be the right level. On the high side isn't a problem, as long as it's not past the top hash mark on the edge of the sight glass, about 75% of the way to the top.
I suspect you're just hearing the sound of running better. Smoother running contributing less resonance to the exhaust. On my 900 the clutch basket and plates got rather worn as the bike was loud as all hell. New plates quieted everything, including the exhaust note down
Quote from: Sad Panda on March 14, 2012, 10:11:30 AM
I suspect you're just hearing the sound of running better. Smoother running contributing less resonance to the exhaust. On my 900 the clutch basket and plates got rather worn as the bike was loud as all hell. New plates quieted everything, including the exhaust note down
I suspect you are correct. I got out for a decent ride today and noticed the shifting was a lot smoother, as well. If it was in fact semi-synthetic previously, full synth made an impressive difference. I think it may be running a little cooler, as well, but it's hard to say given all the environmental variables.
Thanks for all the replies.