2023 KLR 650s Oil Change and Doohickey Adjustment

How to change the oil on a KLR 650 during routine maintenance checks. Don't forget the Doohickey Adjustment. I've also found that Kawasaki understates the amount of oil needed. They recommend 2.1 quarts, I have repeatedly found 2.5 quarts to be more appropriate.
Connect with me on Facebook! / getlostbrandon

[@BikesnBBQ]

It's amazing that amount of oil for the KLR remains to be a mystery. Your definitely correct about making sure to raise the bike off its side stand to see the amount of oil in the sight glass after filling. The service manual states if the KLR is bone dry after initial assembly 2.2 quarts is the amount. 2.1 quarts for the rest of us non factory assemblers. If everything goes right after doing the process the oil should reside just above the midway point in the sight glass. I also change my oil in my 2022 every 2k-3k Miles. That's going above and beyond what the factory calls for but I have a elevated sense of mechanical empathy. The oil in these bikes does it all including combustion cycle, clutch abuse and transmission. For the doohicky I maintain a log and perform every 5K miles. Aloha all you KLR folks. It's a great bike. 🍍🌴

[@rickquist3992]

"Elevated sense of mechanical empathy."
I applaud you, Sir!

[@bluefrog8670]

Love the videos, keep them coming! I've got the green 23 too.

[@slalomking]

You need to start the bike and fill the oil filter and it’s cavity then check the oil level. You can’t really prime the oil filter, it will fill up just fine. I change oil at 2000 miles, it’s easy to remember. One KLR expert determined that 2500 miles should be the maximum interval on oil changes because the bike has a roller bearing crankshaft. The bearings cause a shearing action that will thin the oil after that.

[@getlostbrandon]

I honestly stopped priming oil filters 25 years ago 😅 . Someday i should look up what the purpose of it is. I think i did it for this video to keep the trolls at bay, but in the end i just made a mess as the oil spilled out the top of the filter lol

[@tieoneon1614]

I let my '24 drain oil for 45 minutes, then Googled oil capacity and put in 2.5 qt's. Took me 20 minutes of draining small amounts to finally see oil level at top of sight glass line. Next time Im just buying 2 qt's cuz that would put it in the sight glass window.

[@MrPepper312]

My last two new KLR's, the oil was over filled from the dealer. You should always see a bubble in the sight glass. If not drain until you do.

[@getlostbrandon]

True. Per the Kawasaki manual, the bike should be held level to check the oil, and the oil should be between the upper and lower fill lines. 2.1 Q brings it to the lower fill line, and 2.5 Q brings it to the upper. I think the discrepancy is that Kawasaki assumes you won't level the bike to drain the oil, and that would probably keep the amount needed at 2.1 Q to bring the bubble to top fill line. Hmm.. nevermind, just read the manual again and it says to "drain the oil with the bike perpendicular to the ground". I'm assuming thats a fancy way of saying "hold the bike level while draining"? Anyways, happy riding 😅

[@elwood62]

It’s funny that the doohickey spring is supposed to be adjusted every oil change, but I don’t believe the manual tells you how to do it. I had a gen1 KLR and never knew about that. When I installed a new clutch in it the oil pump filter screen had what looked to be bits of metal spring in it. It still ran fine so I never checked the actually doohickey. I ended up selling it and told the guy that bought it about the potential problem. He thought he had won the jackpot, because to ‘do the doo’ was some kind of rite of passage in his eyes. I should have charged him extra.

[@getlostbrandon]

You're right, I thought i had seen the balancer chain tensioning instructions in the service manual, but i just skimmed through 3 times and the only reference i could find was in the service schedule (it just says dealer inspection for the balancer chain at every oil change interval). Maybe I'll take your advice and never actually check it so the next guy will be excited too 😆

[@stockleezyfosheezy491]

thanks

[@RandomParrot]

Can you really prime the KLR style of filter?

[@getlostbrandon]

I dont think so, that's just what the manual says to do. 😂