I have an 05 Ninja 500 with 6400 miles on it. I bought it when it had about 2200 miles on it and replaced the oil at 3k miles. I'm the third owner, 2nd owner said he never changed the oil.

So I was about to go out and buy oil and a filter for another oil change, so I'm looking in my owners manual and look across the maintenence chart and it says the oil needs to be changed at 600 miles, 7500 miles, 12,000 miles and so on. I know in a car, its recommended every 3,000 miles, is a bike really that much different that it doesnt need to be changed at every 3,000 miles as well?

Also, about how many miles should I have before I change the spark plugs?

Thanks!
-Cody

 

the book says 12,000 on the plugs I think on mine I checked at 6,200 will be done for by 10k most newer cars say 5-8k and most gm's don't have a number just a light the computer figures out that can go over 9k my bike got oil change right after I got it at 5800 and the end of season 7200

 

Oil & filter change-every 3000
Valve adjustment*-every other oil change
Spark plugs replaced-every other valve adjustment

Might not be exactly what's in the service manual, but it keeps it simpler when you have three bikes to keep track of.
Peace!
-CCinC
*also air filter cleaned and reoiled.

 

Do you know of a write up on checking the valve adjustment?

In the manual, it has valve clearance check, Im assuming thats the same thing.

From the manual ('05 500)
"Valve Clearance:
Valve and valve seat wear decreases valve clearance, upsetting valve timing.

Valve clearance for each valve should be checked and adjusted in accordance with the periodic maintenance chart. Inspection and adjustment should be done only by a competent mechanic following the instructions in the Service Manual."

I dont have a service manual, but it seems I need one to do all the proper maintenance (without having to pay someone to do it)
-Cody

 

Hey Cody,
I started an online guide for the valve adjustment on this bike, but still haven't finished it. Feel free to look it over and get an idea of what all is involved.
BUT the service manual is only about 70 bucks for the manual and supplement and they will surely pay for themselves over time. All of the torque values, maintenance matrices, exploded parts diagrams are on there.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Peace!
-CCinC

 

actually you'll need to change it MORE often than 3k miles. since motorcycles use the engine oil for gear oil as well, the oil breaks down much more quickly than in your car. the ONLY way to tell for sure is to get a UOA (used oil analysis). from what i understand, many lighter weight oils (10-w30)are done after about 1k miles. i used a higher weight oil (20-w50), so i use the middle ground,and change about every 2k, oil and filter.

 

I disagree. You've got the part right about motorcycle oils being used for both the motor and the transmission, but it's for this reason motorcycle oils are different than automobile oils, and motorcycle transmissions are quite different than automobile transmissions. A fresh oil and filter every 3000 miles is entirely adequate, IMO.
Peace!
-CCinC

 

I recently had mine done and wondered about the valves. Is it imperitive to have the valves done at the first service? The tech said they do an "Audible" test with a stethiscope. Is this ok to do?
I know the cost of an engine is more that the $300 - $400 for valve service but I don't necessarily have the $300 - $400 either.

 

Haha--stethiscope. Riight.
If one of the valves is out of spec, you won't need an $11 stethiscope to hear it.
Just tell them you don't want it done now. It sounds to me like he's looking for excuses to charge you more and very few shops actually do the valve adjustment at 600 miles. (Though they'll imply that it was done, or checked, to justify the high charge for the initial service.)
Our engine is basically half of a Concours, and the first time I adjusted my father's Concours' valves, the previous mechanic had inverted the clearances on half the engine (Intake valves set to the exhaust clearances and vice versa) and he rode the bike like that for more than 6000 miles and it didn't do any permanent damage.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Peace!
-CCinC