Revision as of 09:33, 5 March 2013

Since the Empulse has a transmission with a wet clutch, the oil in the transmission needs to be changed every 3000 miles after the break in period (see Empulse Break In Schedule).

Tools and supplies

• 1.2 liters of Oil. Brammo recommends (and uses) AmsOil - Synthetic Motorcycle Oil: SAE 10W-30 (wet clutch approved). An alternative would be Royal Purple 01314 Max Cycle 10W-30 High Performance Synthetic Motorcycle Oil.
  • Note: The manual says that about 1.0 liter is needed for an oil change. It also says that oil must be added until it starts seeping from the oil check hole. It is probable that a bit more than 1.0 liter of oil will be needed.
  • Tip: Since oil is sold in quarts in the United States, and a liter is more than a quart, buy two quarts and you will have all the oil you will need.
  • Tip: Buy the oil as soon as possible. 10W-30 is not commonly available in motorcycle shops, and 10W-30 for cars is not appropriate for motorcycle transmissions, so it will probably take you a few days to get it.
• 5 mm Allen key.
• 17 mm socket.
• 8 mm socket (Or 14 mm socket for method B - see below).
• Torque wrench.
• Funnel.
  • If you are going to use method B (see below), you will need a funnel with a long neck (25 cm / 10 inches) and a small tip (1 cm / 3/8 inch), or a length of thin hose.
• A basin to catch the old oil that can hold at least 1 liter.
• Shop towels.
• Latex gloves.
  • Note: Dirty oil is absorbed through the skin and is a known carcinogen. Gloves are cheap and effective protection. If you are allergic to latex, Nitrile or Polyurethane gloves may be used.
• Optional: Crush washer for the oil drain plug.

Per BrammoService: Here are the torque specs need for changing your oil.

• Oil Drain Plug – 25Nm
• Oil Fill Plug – 15Nm
• Oil Check Screw – 11Nm

Preparation

1. Ride the Empulse for a while to heat up the oil in the transmission. Warm oil is less viscous (more runny) and will flow out easier.
2. Put the Empulse on it's kickstand on a flat, level service.
   • Note: Be sure to use the kickstand and not a track stand when changing the oil.
3. Place some shop towels under the transmission to catch oil drops.
4. Place the basin under the drain plug.
5. Put on your gloves.

   

Drain the old oil

1. Using the 5 mm Allen key, unscrew the oil check hole.
   • Note: If the bike is on the kickstand (as it should be), there will be little or no oil seeping from the hole. If the bike is on a track stand, oil will pour out.
   • Tip: Oil will seep out of this hole when the oil level is reached, so be sure to keep a shop towel below to catch the oil.

   

2. Use the 17 mm socket to loosen the drain plug.

   

3. Unscrew the drain plug by hand and let the oil flow into the basin.

   

4. Let the oil drain out for a few minutes.
   • Tip: To get even more of the old oil out of the transmission, straddle the bike and center it, so that it's off the kick stand. Note: Doing this may result in requiring a bit more oil when filling up, but the oil will be cleaner.
5. While the oil is draining, clean the oil drain plug. It has a magnet to pick up loose metal particles which must be removed before the plug is installed.

   

   • Note: This image was taken during the first oil change after the break-in period. The amount of metal particles seen here is not typical.
6. Inspect the crush washer. If it is cracked or damaged, it must be replaced. It may optionally be replaced even if it is in good condition, since they are relatively cheap.

   

7. Hand screw the drain plug with the crush washer back onto the transmission case.
   • Tip: Fasten the plug by hand rather than with a wrench to avoid damaging the transmission case.

   

8. Use the 17 mm socket to tighten the oil drain plug to 25 Nm.

   

Add new oil

Method A

This method uses the breather hose to add oil to the transmission. It is somewhat easier than method B and has been okayed by Brammo support.

1. Using the 8 mm socket, loosen the hose clamp around the breather plug (which has the word "OIL" written in red on it).

   

2. Pull off the breather plug.

   

3. Use the funnel to pour most of a liter of oil into the transmission.

   

4. Slowly keep pouring the rest of the oil, keeping an eye on the oil check hole. When oil starts seeping out of the of the check hole, enough oil has been added.
   • Note: It may take a few seconds for the oil to get down the breather tube.

   

5. Allow the oil to settle and wipe off any oil coming out of the seep hole.
6. Replace the breather plug.
7. Use the 8 mm socket to tighten the hose clamp over the breather plug.
8. Hand screw the oil check plug with the crush washer back onto the transmission case.
9. Use the 5 mm Allen key and tighten to 11 Nm.

Method B

This is the method described in the manual. It's more difficult that method A because you need a funnel with a long thin end or a hose to get the oil into the transmission case. The oil fill hole is very small, and rather less accessible than the breather tube used in method A. One advantage with this method is that the check oil hole is on the same side as where the oil is added.

1. Using the 14 mm socket, loosen the oil fill plug.
2. Use the funnel and tube to pour most of a liter of oil into the transmission.
3. Slowly keep pouring the rest of the oil, keeping an eye on the oil check hole. When oil starts seeping out of the of the check hole, enough oil has been added.
4. Allow the oil to settle and wipe off any oil coming out of the seep hole.
5. Hand fasten the oil fill plug.
6. Use the 14 mm socket and tighten the oil fill plug to 15 Nm.
7. Hand screw the oil check plug with the crush washer back onto the transmission case.
8. Use the 5 mm Allen key and tighten to 11 Nm.

NOTE

"Brammojen," one of Brammo's Technicians, suggested "Use an oil syringe with option B it will make the use of a funnel not necessary."

Clean up

• You can dispose of the old oil at most garages or car parts stores (E.g. Auto Zone or Advanced Auto Parts).
  • Tip: Use the empty oil containers to carry the old oil.
• Wipe up any spilled oil.

Torque Conversion Table

Various torque wrenches use different units. Use this table to get equivalent measurements for your tool.

References

• http://brammoforum.com/index.php?topic=1875.msg14500#msg14500
• http://www.unitconversion.org/energy/newton-meters-to-pound-force-foots-conversion.html