How to Change the Oil on a Yamaha Midnight Maxim 750

Yamaha's 1983 Midnight Maxim cruiser earned its name from the solid black paint that covered the entire motorcycle from its handlebars to its exhaust pipes. Although the Midnight Maxim had the then-popular cruiser look, with a set of high handlebars, a stepped seat and a raked-out front fork, the Maxim was powered by a four-cylinder engine more appropriate for a sport motorcycle. The sheer performance of the Maxim placed a heavy demand on the engine's oil -- especially if ridden vigorously -- making it absolutely necessary to change the oil every 4,500 miles to prevent mechanical failures.

Select a flat, open work area, then lift the motorcycle onto its center stand. Start the engine and let it idle for three minutes to warm the engine oil. Stop the engine, then let it cool for another 10 minutes.

Unscrew the oil cap from the top of the right engine crankcase cover by hand to vent the oil system.

Place an oil drain pan below the oil filter housing and oil drain plug located at the front of the engine, between the exhaust header pipes. Unscrew the oil drain plug, positioned under the oil filter housing, using a 17 mm socket with a 6-inch extension and a socket wrench. Let the oil drain for at least five minutes, or until the oil flow has reduced to a thin trickle.

Clean the oil drain plug with a shop towel to remove any debris stuck to the plug's tip and threads. Screw the oil drain plug into the engine by hand, then tighten it to 22 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench.

Unscrew the bolt at the center of the oil filter housing, using a 12 mm socket with a 6-inch extension and a socket wrench. A small amount of oil may be held within the oil filter housing. Let the oil drain, then pull the oil filter housing off of the engine. Pull the oil filter retaining spring and the oil filter out of the engine. Clean the inside of the oil filter housing and engine's mounting surfaces with a shop towel to remove any remaining oil and debris.

Check the oil filter housing O-ring for tears or fraying. Replace the O-ring if it is damaged in any way.

Push the oil filter housing bolt through the oil filter housing, then slip the oil filter retaining spring over the end of the bolt. Lubricate the gaskets on both sides of the new oil filter with 10W-30 engine oil, then slide the oil filter over the oil filter bolt. Place the oil filter housing against the engine and screw the oil filter housing bolt into place, using a 12 mm socket with a 6-inch extension and a socket wrench. Tighten the oil filter housing bolt to 22 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench.

Fill the engine with 2.5 quarts of 10W-30 engine oil. Pour the oil into the oil filler neck located at the top of the left engine crankcase cover, using a funnel. Watch the oil level rise as you fill the engine, using the oil level gauge built into the lower edge of the left engine crankcase cover. Ideally, the oil level should be centered in the gauge after filling the engine with 2.5 quarts of oil. If the oil level is below the center of the gauge, pour an additional 2 to 3 oz. of oil into the oil filler neck. Remove the funnel and screw the oil cap into place by hand.

Wipe away any spilled oil from the left engine crankcase cover, the oil filter housing and the exhaust header pipes, with a shop towel. Start the engine and let it idle for three minutes. This will circulate the fresh oil throughout the engine and the oil filter. Stop the engine, then let the oil settle for five minutes.

Check the oil level through the oil level gauge. If the oil level is below the center of the gauge, pour 1 oz. of 10W-30 engine oil into the engine and check the oil level again. Repeat as needed until the oil level is centered within the oil level gauge. It is okay if the oil level is higher than the center of the oil level gauge, as long as the gauge is not filled completely.

Lower the motorcycle onto its kick stand.