Trike Oil Change

[Leaky Waders]

Good afternoon Y'all,

I am making preparations for the first oil change on my trike. In all the video's I have watched it shows the bike being lifted and level when draining oil from the 3 drain plugs under the DCT model. In the attached photo you can see that I backed the rear wheels up on ramps and left the front tire on the garage floor. This gives me plenty of room to work under the bike. Is there a problem draining the oil with the bike in this unlevel position or should I use my jack to raise the front end as well? TIA.

Paul

[Rogue1]

I can't imagine why you couldn't change everything with the trike sitting flat on the ground. I change mine on a lift but only because it makes it easier. To be honest I don't know about Honda Trikes.

[BrokenBackJack]

I have 2 sets of ramps and use 3 ramps and drive all 3 tires up the ramps.

Works slick.

[Leaky Waders]

I have 2 sets of ramps and use 3 ramps and drive all 3 tires up the ramps.

Works slick.

I was considering buying another set of ramps and doing what you do. After watching a video of a guy who cracked his ground effects when driving down the ramps I reconsidered. I will have to check my clearance.

[Leaky Waders]

I can't imagine why you couldn't change everything with the trike sitting flat on the ground. I change mine on a lift but only because it makes it easier. To be honest I don't know about Honda Trikes.

It is the "easy factor" that peaked my interest in lifting as well.

[Burnerboy]

Very easy idea here; to lift up your trike to make it level......

I cut three 4X4 boards 17inch long........Jack up the rear first and place a cut 4x4 under each rear wheel, (place your bike in 1st gear so it won't roll) and then jack up the front of the bike and place a 4x4 under the front wheel........Now your 4inch high'rr and can crawl under it easier, and place an oil catch container under it w/o any difficulties....... easy pessy!

Ronnie

2/5/23

[Leaky Waders]

Very easy idea here; to lift up your trike to make it level......

I cut three 4X4 boards 17inch long........Jack up the rear first and place a cut 4x4 under each rear wheel, (place your bike in 1st gear so it won't roll) and then jack up the front of the bike and place a 4x4 under the front wheel........Now your 4inch high'rr and can crawl under it easier, and place an oil catch container under it w/o any difficulties....... easy pessy!

Ronnie

2/5/23

Thanks Ronnie,

I ended up leaving the rear wheels on the ramps and jacking up the front tire and placing two pave stones under the front tire. I removed the jack and the drain pan fit well with room to spare.

Paul

[woody]

I have 2 sets of ramps and use 3 ramps and drive all 3 tires up the ramps.Works slick.

This is what I did before I put a lift in my shop, I always try to level what ever I'm working on

[Burnerboy]

Thanks Ronnie,

I ended up leaving the rear wheels on the ramps and jacking up the front tire and placing two pave stones under the front tire. I removed the jack and the drain pan fit well with room to spare.

Paul

Paul,

Sounds like you did what you had to do, and "cheap'rrr ($$$) than, what, I had suggested..........and it works! Good for you!

Ronnie

2/10/23

[GoldWingrGreg]

Good afternoon Y'all,

I am making preparations for the first oil change on my trike. In all the video's I have watched it shows the bike being lifted and level when draining oil from the 3 drain plugs under the DCT model. In the attached photo you can see that I backed the rear wheels up on ramps and left the front tire on the garage floor. This gives me plenty of room to work under the bike. Is there a problem draining the oil with the bike in this unlevel position or should I use my jack to raise the front end as well? TIA.

Paul

The problem with trikes is not removing the oil or filter(s), but refilling the oil to a proper oil level. Rarely does a trike's engine sit at the same "slant" as an OEM Wing, thus a trike becomes challenging when topping the oil off to it's proper level.