Always work on a cool, stable motorcycle positioned on level ground.

Honda recommends changing the oil with the engine warm—not hot—as warm oil drains more quickly and carries away more contaminants.

Start the engine and allow it to idle for around 3–5 minutes, then switch it off before beginning work.

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What You’ll Need

Tools

• 12 mm socket or spanner
• Torque wrench
• Oil drain tray
• Funnel
• Clean rags
• Nitrile gloves

Parts

• 0.9 litres of SAE 10W-30 motorcycle oil meeting JASO MA/MA2 and API SG or higher
• New drain bolt sealing washer (recommended)

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Step 1 – Warm the Engine

Allow the engine to idle for several minutes.

This helps the oil flow more freely and removes more contaminants from the engine.

Switch off the ignition before continuing.

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Step 2 – Position the Motorcycle

Place the Monkey upright on level ground.

Position an oil drain tray beneath the engine.

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Step 3 – Remove the Oil Filler Cap

Unscrew the dipstick/oil filler cap.

This allows air into the engine and helps the old oil drain more quickly.

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Step 4 – Remove the Drain Bolt

Using a 12 mm socket, carefully loosen and remove the drain bolt from the underside of the engine.

Allow all of the oil to drain into the tray.

Be careful—the oil may still be warm.

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Step 5 – Inspect the Drain Bolt

Clean the drain bolt thoroughly.

Inspect the sealing washer.

Honda recommends fitting a new sealing washer whenever the drain bolt is removed to help prevent leaks.

If the drain bolt has a magnetic tip, wipe away any fine metallic particles. A very small amount of metallic paste is normal during routine servicing.

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Step 6 – Refit the Drain Bolt

Install the drain bolt together with the new sealing washer.

Using a torque wrench, tighten the drain bolt to:

24 N·m (18 lbf·ft)

Avoid overtightening, as the engine crankcase is aluminium.

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Step 7 – Add Fresh Oil

Using a funnel, pour in approximately:

0.9 litres

of the recommended motorcycle oil.

Pour slowly to avoid overfilling.

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Step 8 – Check the Oil Level

Refit the dipstick without screwing it in.

Remove it again and check the oil level.

The oil should sit between the upper and lower marks.

Top up if necessary.

Do not overfill.

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Step 9 – Start the Engine

Start the motorcycle and allow it to idle for approximately one minute.

Check around the drain bolt for any signs of leakage.

Switch the engine off and wait a couple of minutes for the oil to settle.

Recheck the oil level and top up if required.

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Step 10 – Dispose of the Old Oil Responsibly

Never pour used engine oil down drains or onto the ground.

Transfer it into a sealed container and take it to your local household recycling centre or garage that accepts waste engine oil.

Most council recycling centres in the UK accept used engine oil free of charge.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Changing the oil with a cold engine.
• Forgetting to replace the sealing washer.
• Overtightening the drain bolt.
• Using car engine oil instead of motorcycle-specific oil meeting the correct JASO specification.
• Overfilling the engine.
• Forgetting to check for leaks after restarting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change the oil?

Follow the service intervals specified in your Honda owner’s manual. If the motorcycle is used in particularly dusty conditions, frequent stop-start riding or other severe service, more frequent oil changes may be beneficial.

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Do I need to replace the oil filter?

The 2018–2021 Honda Monkey does not use a replaceable spin-on or cartridge oil filter.

Instead, the engine uses an internal oil screen and centrifugal oil separator as part of its lubrication system. These are inspected and cleaned at the maintenance intervals specified by Honda—they are not serviced at every routine oil change.

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Which oil is best?

Honda recommends:

• SAE 10W-30
• JASO MA or MA2
• API SG or higher

Always use a quality motorcycle-specific oil.

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Can I do this without a torque wrench?

While it is physically possible, we don’t recommend it.

The correct tightening torque helps prevent stripped threads and oil leaks.

A good quality torque wrench is a worthwhile investment for anyone planning to maintain their own motorcycle.

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Motorhome Monkey Verdict

Changing the oil on a 2018–2021 Honda Monkey is one of the easiest maintenance jobs you can tackle yourself.

With only a few tools, around half an hour of your time and less than a litre of fresh oil, you can help protect your engine and gain the satisfaction of maintaining your own motorcycle.

If you’re new to DIY servicing, this is an excellent place to start. Just take your time, follow the steps carefully and always use the correct oil and tightening torque.

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🔧 Motorhome Monkey Top Tip

Buy a small notebook or keep a digital maintenance log.

Record:

• Date
• Mileage
• Oil brand used
• Oil grade
• Any other maintenance carried out

A complete service history doesn’t just help you remember when work was done—it can also add value when you eventually come to sell your Honda Monkey.

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Editorial note