Oil Change and Better Oil Plug & Filter

Nice post, RSL. Luckily I haven't been doing anything wrong.

I hit the filter screen with brake parts cleaner to get all the deposits off and let dry.

And don't overfill! I let the oil drain for almost an hour last change and followed specs for replacement volume. Probably ended up .2 qt over and it sucked to rectify. I'd recommend stopping at 3 qts, start up, let settle, check and repeat.

So I'm thinking of doing an oil only change. I just bought the bike and the original owner did the first service but it was probably over a year ago, yet bike only has 3,200 miles on her. I think I'll just do the oil and leave the filter for the next change. I'm surprised how dark the oil looks through the glass.

Anyone see any problem with doing as I said in above post? Any idea on how much oil I should try? 2.5 quarters at first? (America)

jdot1981 said:

So I'm thinking of doing an oil only change. I just bought the bike and the original owner did the first service but it was probably over a year ago, yet bike only has 3,200 miles on her. I think I'll just do the oil and leave the filter for the next change. I'm surprised how dark the oil looks through the glass.

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I owned my bike since new and did the 600 mile oil change plus another at 2000 and another at 6000. Now I'll stick to ~5k oil changes. I would definitely do another one now if it's been a year.


I've been looking at that Amsoil 10w50. Seems like a good option.

Thanks. This is an incredibly helpful thread with info. FWIW- I changed the oil without changing the filter. From the best I can tell- 2.5 quarts does it. I haven't checked with the engine completely cold yet.

I agree. Local parts store claimed their computer did not show a filter for the hyperstrada in stock. Supposedly, I still had over 6,000 miles to go before the oil needed changed, but I wanted to change it because I suspect it had been over a year since the last change. So supposedly, the filter should still be "okay". And- it was over the weekend.

I may end up changing the oil and filter in another couple thousand; maybe before it gets in the 30's and 40's here. Alternatively, I may wait until early Spring. I haven't decided.

Why is it so difficult to find out which crush washer to buy for oil changes? I've searched this site and the web for good clear info on it and I can't seem to find it anywhere. Is M12 correct?

I may be missing something that was covered in a previous thread, but how are you guys reseting the service indicator and any error codes?

jratbut said:

I may be missing something that was covered in a previous thread, but how are you guys reseting the service indicator and any error codes?

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Dealer is the only way. Thanks ducati.

ya 10w50 and 20w40 are best for the this bike

Could anyone verify the allen wrench sizes for the mesh filter cover and the mesh filter itself. The workshop manual doesn't haver the specs. Much appreciated.

You forgot to add an important note, add a smear of grease to the new filter oil seal!!
Or you will struggle to remove it at the next service.

Oil/Filter Change Questions

After Head rebuild dealer mech suggested I change oil around 1000 to
2000 miles. So at 1400 miles I bought a Hi-Flo Filter from the Dealer ... for $18 ... and got into it.
(Sending off for the Amsoil filter next week!)

This thread has been invaluable ... thanks RSL and the gang! ... I still found a few blanks that needed filling in.

1. The instructions on getting the "mesh" tube filter out were UNCLEAR. I thought it would just be sitting there behind the big 14mm Allen cap and pull out. NOPE!

I thought mine was missing at first ... then realized you have to INSERT your 14mm allen into the hole and fit it into the rather undefined allen female. So, got that out. Just a few bits of gasket or maybe gasket maker in the mesh.

I did find some tiny metal bits on the magnetic plug. Normal, AFAIK.

They mention applying GREASE to the screen but nothing specific ... and what kind of grease should be used?

Are we supposed to rub grease into the mesh and smear it around? Or what?
How much grease? so, what's the technique here?

I have some water proof Bel-Rey grease I use for bearings. Is that OK?

2. Do you guys replace ALL the sealing washers? I have one Copper washer for the Magnetic plug ... but none for the other plug or the BIG mesh filter plug. Both of those
use either Alu or steel washer. (??) If Alu, then it's soft so should be able to be re-used. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for any help on this!

Don't grease the screen, it would just dissolve and end up in your oil. Just grease the threads a little bit with whatever you have. Ducati likes to grease a lot of their bolts. I don't think this one really matters to be honest.

You can reuse a crush washer a couple times without any issues, especially the copper ones. I usually replace my drain plug one, but think I reused the other one since it was a one-time deal. You don't need to replace the huge one I don't think it really gets deformed.

Yep just a smear of grease on the threads not the screen.

Ok, Got it!
Thanks guys for the update!
On Copper washers, I usually re-anneal them and re-use. But since I wasn't sure of the size on mine, I bought a spare. Turns out it's a common size that I already have. I'll re-anneal current one (which is not at all deformed, and reuse it.

Turns out I'm missing one bolt from the skid plate and one bracket. Amazing what you find on a used bike when you get down on ground and start pulling stuff off.

But super easy Oil/Filter change ... much less to do than on my "new" KTM 690 Duke. So big ups to Ducati on this one.

So on order soon will be:
Amsoil oil filters
OEM Bracket and hardware for missing bits on skid plate
New Magnetic drain bolt from RSL's link above.
Should be good for at least 4K miles now.

Copper Crush Washer?? This may not be a good idea, as aluminum & aluminum alloys can be susceptible to galvanic corrosion when in contact with copper.