1998 Kawasaki ninja 500r engine Oil

**nuzzy** · 01-23-2012, 10:24 AM

Hey,

I was looking to do an oil change to my 1998 Kawasaki Ninja 500r but I dont have the service manual for it so I needed some clarification.

How much oil will my engine need? What grade would be best for it like 0W40 or 10W40?

The bike has 38000 KM's on it so I was wondering if I should get Regular oil, semi-synthetic, or synthetic for it?

Thanks

**matthew** · 01-23-2012, 12:42 PM

http://www.ex-500.com/index.php/topic,16837.0.html

**BC1100S** · 01-23-2012, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by nuzzy

How much oil will my engine need? What grade would be best for it like 0W40 or 10W40?

The bike has 38000 KM's on it so I was wondering if I should get Regular oil, semi-synthetic, or synthetic for it?

I would follow the instructions of your owners manual.

**nuzzy** · 01-23-2012, 08:13 PM

Lol... don't have one. That's why I was asking for it. Also, would you happen to know what wrench size I would I need to open the drain bold. I've tried up till 5/8th but it's just a bit too short. What would be the next size up?

**bitzz** · 01-23-2012, 08:50 PM

Well
The drain plug will not be 5/8". That is an imperial size, your made in Japan motorcycle has metric fasteners.
If I remember it is 17mm.

10-40 oil is good, no car oil. Be sure there is a picture of a motorcycle on the bottle of oil that you buy.

**nuzzy** · 01-23-2012, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by bitzz

Well
The drain plug will not be 5/8". That is an imperial size, your made in Japan motorcycle has metric fasteners.
If I remember it is 17mm.

10-40 oil is good, no car oil. Be sure there is a picture of a motorcycle on the bottle of oil that you buy.

So a 17mm socket would work fine?

**DoubleJ** · 01-24-2012, 06:41 AM

yes, get the manual off the internet. Type in Kawasaki EX500 manual and there is all kinds of links to free ones.

**00ninja** · 01-24-2012, 05:09 PM

17mm drain plug
10W-40 is the recommend oil

Also make sure you use motorcycle specific oil (no energy conserving types of oil) because it may cause the wet clutch to slip.

**nuzzy** · 01-24-2012, 11:23 PM

Hey guys,

Thanks for the tips. I succesfully completed my first Oil change on the Bike.

Thanks!

**00ninja** · 01-25-2012, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by nuzzy

Hey guys,

Thanks for the tips. I succesfully completed my first Oil change on the Bike.

Thanks!

Grats!

Go Ninja Go!

**csecond2001** · 02-14-2012, 09:58 PM

Congrats on your first oil change. FYI, I have a 99 ninja 500. Have been running Shell Rotella. It is now certified for motorcycles and is cheaper than alot of the motorcyle oils. Its on sale at CTire now.