Oil Change

Ok. This is pretty basic but I'm going to document everything I do with the bike. Hopefully this helps someone. Here's a simple step by step for changing the oil.

*Note: As you will discover finding parts for this model is very difficult. Even my local Suzuki dealer can't find this bike in there system. For most items you will have to take your VIN number to the dealership and have them contact Suzuki directly with it to find the right parts for you.

So, when you go in to ask for your new filter you should ask for an oil filter for the GS450. It's the same filter and they won't look at you like you're crazy. The official Suzuki part number is 16510-45040

Step 1:
Start the bike and let it warm up to running temperature. Once it's warm shut it off. This will thin the oil and allow you to drain more of the oil. Keep in the mind the OIL AND PIPES WILL BE HOT so use a bit of caution.

Step 2:
Locate and remove the drain plug found on the underside of the motor in the center of the oil pan. You'll need an 18mm wrench for this.



Step 3:
With the drain plug out drain the oil out into a pan.



Step 4:
Locate the Oil Filter cover on the front of the motor. Make sure the oil pan is underneath and remove the three nuts that hold the cover in place. You'll need a 10mm wrench. There is a spring behind this cover pressing against the filter. When you loosen and remove the nuts be careful not to loose the spring.



Step 5:
Remove the used oil filter.



Step 6:
Install the new filter. Line up the opening on the filter with the housing and press filter firmly over the housing. It should fit snug into place.



Step 7:
Re-install the spring and filter cover in the reverse order you took it off. Also, don't forget to re-install the drain plug. Tighten it up well otherwise you're likely to have a slow leak and make a mess of your garage floor! It's not a bad idea to inspect the rubber washer on the drain plug, if it looks warn it's a good idea to replace it.

Once that's done remove the oil cap and get ready to refill your motor with fresh oil.



Step 8:
Use a 10W-40 4 stroke motor oil to refill the motor. I use Motul's 5100 blend 10W40.
Check the level with the dip stick, you should use between 2 and 3 litres of oil. Replace the cap and your good to go for another 3,000kms!

Suzuki GS400E

Found a cool write up about the GS400S from a 1985 Canadian Motorcycle Magazine. I apologize in advance for the brutal english at times. I have to assume someone typed this out with either a broken keyboard, or their eyes closed.

Suzuki GS400E

First big trip

I can't tell you how many people told me I was crazy for wanting to ride the 400 from Hamilton, Ontario to Ottawa, Ontario. All I can tell you is they were all wrong!

Sure, I bet it would have been more comfortable on a 750 or a 1200 but I can honestly say that the 400 GS handled all 1000kms with no problems and I loved every second of it.

I had a wedding to attend over the Canada Day long weekend so I decided to map out a route and have my first adventure on the bike. Up to this point the longest trip I'd done on the bike was about a 2 hour ride to go camping one weekend. This trip was going to be a good 1000km round trip. About 7 hours there and 7 hours back if I stuck to all the back roads, a little shorter if I decided to hit the major highways.

Before leaving I made sure my chain was lubed up, plugs were good, oil was good, and all my lights and signals were working. I packed a few wrenches, spare plugs, chain lube, and most importantly a small spray bottle full of Windex and a cloth to clean the bugs off my visor. Strapped my bag down to the back seat and off I went.


Here was the route I ended up taking out there. A major traffic jam forced me off the 401 a little earlier than I would have liked but being on an air cooled 25 year old bike I didn't want to take any chances of overheating. Needless to say this ride was much more scenic and I made many stops in a lot of neat little towns along the way.

Looking forward to my next trip!