You would think I would have this figure out by now but I still have trouble with oil changes on my 3AJ. The problem mostly lies in how to drain oil from the reservoir tank without oil going everywhere. Typically when I do an oil change I first remove the drain bolt at the bottom of the engine. After it's fully drained I then remove the drain bolt from the reservoir tank and do my best to keep the bike tipped towards the drain side and mop up the resultant mess of oil dribbling down the tank and onto frame and swingarm. Should the extra oil in the reservoir be coming down into the engine and draining out the bottom? Would love some advice.

I do the same sequence, while wiring up a funnel to the oil tank, so all oil goes in the direction I choose. Mike

Should the extra oil in the reservoir be coming down into the engine and draining out the bottom? Would love some advice.

The oil remaining in the tank is blocked from flowing to the sump by the oil pump (intake). It slowly gets past the pump gears but it takes about six months to do so.

What you are doing is right, you just have to lean the bike right over!

Lets face it, changing oil and filter is messy. Don't know a way to do it without some getting on the floor... The oil filter drainback is a joke, twice today I tried it while fixing an oil leak from the bottom bolt. Helicoils don't hold very well.

I do the same as Tall Mike - I place a funnel under the oil tank drain bolt and let the oil drain into an old oil can.

Regards,
Russ

Thanks for the advice. Even when I tip the bike up on its side and let the oil drain from the tank with a funnel under the hole quite a bit of oil still manages to dribble down the tank and gets everywhere. What a pain. I'll keep experimenting.

Would have been nice if Yamaha had thought to put a drain plug on the oil feed pipe bracket where it bolts to the engine so sump & tank could be drained into the same pan

It's worse on the "oil in frame" models because the tank empties onto the front tyre (2nd time you change the oil you should know to take precautions )

I intend to put a "T" piece in the feed pipe at it's lowest point, find or make a bulk head drain bolt I can mount near the sump plug & connect the "T" & plug with pipe.
Would this work on a 3AJ ?

Rick
P.S. I also intend to put my bike back together

You probably already know this but the oil tank drain can unscrew out about 60mm and then undo the drain bolt to drain the oil away from the oil tank to prevent spillage...

Does that make sense?

Sorry to ask such a dumb question...just need a bit of clarification for my new to me 3AJ. I've just put a new clutch in the bike and the engine and oil tank are both completely drained. So I need to refill and start it.

I've put a litre of fresh oil in the tank...expecting it to drain into the engine - but the level hasn't dropped!

How am I meant to fill and prime the engine ready to start it.....Thanks in advance.
Andy