Kymco AK 550 6000 mile oil change

[rjs987]

Just finished the 6000 mile oil/filter change and maintenance on my AK 550. Actual odometer reading is 5842 miles. That splits the offset from the 3000 mile oil change since I did that one 330 miles early and this one only 158 miles early. From now on the oil/filter change interval will be every 6000 miles +/- a few. I also checked the air filter and found it was almost totally clean still so it looks like the recommended 20K miles to replace it will be just about right.

The big difference in what I did this time vs. the first time is how I got into the space to change the oil filter. As mentioned above in my earlier post on the 600 mile oil change I dropped the bottom cover to make getting to the filter easier. This time I didn't. I was able to get the old filter off and the new filter on without removing or loosening any panels at all. This was made possible by using the oil filter wrench that I bought from Amazon. This was the first time I used it and found it made all the difference. I also did not wrap the large tab of that bottom cover with aluminum foil as I did before. I figured it was more work that it was worth putting the foil on without tearing it, which makes it of no value to even have it there. Here is a link to that filter wrench that is specifically made for the HF164 filters (these filters are also used on BMW bikes so the filter is labeled as a BMW filter wrench).
https://a.co/d/9nRQeRn

Here are a few photos of using that wrench. It is actually easy to get it onto the filter, even with the socket handle inserted on the tool. It just takes a little fiddling around and it slips right on. The filter was a bit tighter than how tight I thought I put it on but just taking it slow and it turned right off. I used the wrench to put the new filter on also.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/r8jF9CiFnqcWt3XQ7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/89AvTBPsPVKZnuqF8

Here is what the air filter looked like today.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/EzcruLQHpkmPymi27

Oh, and if anyone cares I again used Super Tech Full Synthetic 4-Stroke SAE 10W-40 JASO MA2 motorcycle oil.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/R389SH9kaQbJWW8ZA

[rjs987]

Also checked the timing belt (final drive belt from reduction gear set to rear sprocket) for tension. Tension checks good at 3/8 inch deflection with 10 lbs force at the mid point. I filed a notch in the inside bottom belt cover to allow the tension force tool to fit without needing to remove that inner cover. That inner cover is a major pain to remove with the rear wheel still mounted. But with the notch I don't have to remove it. Only have to remove the outer bottom cover which is easy with 2 bolts.