How to Change Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero Oil
Regular oil changes keep your Kawasaki motorcycle running at its best. Keep up with standard maintenance and your bike will reward you with many years of memories of life on the road.
Watch the video above and follow the steps below to do an oil change on a Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero 1700.
Tools and Parts - Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Oil Change
- 3/8th ratchet
- 17mm socket
- 65mm oil filter wrench
- Torque wrench
Changing the Oil on a Kawasaki Vaquero 1700
Step 1. Run the engine for a minute or two to warm up the oil and make it easier to drain.
Step 2. Turn off the engine and remove the oil fill cap to allow the oil to drain easier.
Step 3. Get a drain pan underneath the bike and remove the two drain bolts under the motorcycle with a 17mm socket to drain out the oil.
Step 4. Replace the drain bolts by threading them into place and torqueing them both to 14 foot-pounds.
NOTE: Kawasaki recommends replacing the crush washers, which they call gaskets, on the bolts before reinstalling them.
Step 5. Remove the oil filter (located on the front of the engine) with a 65mm oil filter wrench.
NOTE: Keep a drain pan underneath the filter, since a fair amount of oil may come out.
Step 6. Smear oil around the gasket at the top of the new oil filter to make it easier to remove next time. Thread the new oil filter in and torque it to 13 foot-pounds.
Step 7. Pour in about 4 quarts of Kawasaki 10W40 oil.
NOTE: We used Kawasaki’s full synthetic 10W40 motorcycle oil, but you can use regular 10W40 motorcycle oil as well.
Step 8. Replace the fill cap and run the engine for a couple of minutes to circulate the oil. Don’t throttle the engine, just let it idle. Next, shut the engine off and wait a couple of minutes for the oil to settle so you can get an accurate oil reading.
Step 9. Check the oil, then remove the fill cap and dipstick and wipe it dry. Replace the cap and thread it in, then remove it again to get a level reading.
The Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 takes about 4 ½ quarts of oil. If the motorcycle's oil level is low at 4 quarts, top it off with the extra half-quart, then check the oil level again and you’re done.
Ready to change out the air filter next? Watch the video below to see how to replace the air filter in a Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero.
