After reading the blog post I had the same thought. Doing an oil change on my F650GS motorcycle required removing the plastics, draining the oil from both the top and bottom of the motorcycle, removing a plate on the side of the engine after install the BMW specified oil redirection funnel, extracting the filter and reinstalling. The oil funnel had a legit BMW part number. Most of us either just made a mess or used a piece of a milk jug. Probably 15 fasteners and 2 drain plugs.

Comparable process on my Sv650: drain plug out. Drain plug in. Screw off filter. Screw on filter. Fill.

▲

barrenko 8 hours ago | parent | next [-]

It's basically the plot of the Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

▲

vjvjvjvjghv 8 hours ago | parent [-]

Back then they should just let the oil go on the side of road. No need to capture it

▲

kens 6 hours ago | parent [-]

That reminds me of the Popular Science garage hint from 1963, explaining how to easily dispose of used motor oil: Dig a hole in the ground and fill it with fine gravel. Pour in the oil, and it will be absorbed into the ground before your next oil change.

https://books.google.com/books?id=myADAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA166#v=on...

▲

stefanfisk 6 hours ago | parent [-]

Different times indeed.

The Swedish government created this informational video in 1964 on how to properly dispose of your trash when at sea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t03saJVFkv4. Apparently the trick is to make the trash sink rather than float.

	▲	Gud 5 hours ago \| parent [-]
		People were doing it, at least make sure they do a good job.

▲

sgt 4 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Not too bad though all things considered, there are worse examples out there, like my old KTM adventure bike. Interestinlgy, the BMW R1200/1250/1300GS is actually simpler due to the boxer engine design.

▲

mjanx123 6 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

The proper BMW oil change procedure is to remove the engine and flip it upside down.

▲

jacquesm 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Wait until you see a picture of a clutch replacement on an R1200... this should probably have a NSFW tag attached: https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycle/comments/1he20rk/r_1200_...

▲

inferiorhuman 7 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

You win some, you lose some. Comparable process on my E46 and E39: Drain plug out (potentially flipping a little dust cover out of the way). Drain plug in. Stand up because everything else happens up top. Unscrew filter housing. Replace filter element. Replace filter housing. Fill.

	▲	Scoundreller 6 hours ago \| parent [-]
		E90 is the same but you’re supposed to loosen the filter because otherwise some vacuum holds in an extra 0.5L of oil. I like the top mount oil filters, less mess.