How do i change the oil on my wifes 98 vstar 650 classic
and how do i remove the filter. Did it on my roadstar 1700

I used to have a 03 650 vstar, The filter is on the right side of the engine. There is a chrome cover with 3 allen heads, take it off, then you will see 4 or 5 allen head bolts holding another engine side cover on under the one you took off, Take this cover off as well then the filter will be exposed. The filter is just a cartridge with an o-ring and I can't remember if there is a spring or not but just put the new filter in just like the old one comes out....There is an o-ring attached to the sidecover, If you are not replacing this 0-ring take it out of the groove and turn it around, this will keep it from flattening out and leaking..........btw, there is only one drain bolt on the 650 vstar.........Kinda messy oil change on this bike, but not that hard to do. Good luck.........another thing, be carefull with those allen head bolts, do not over tighten, they will strip off or break in the engine block!

Right side of the motor there are 3 screws holding the cover for the oil filter. You'll see the filter under the cover. The filter for the v-stars is a paper element not a screw on. Be very careful not to over torque the screws and strip them when reinstalling the cover.

do i have to remove the pipe?
Doesn't look like the cover will clear

You have to drop the pipe on the 1100.... the 650 you don't

I have changed the oil & filter on two V-Stars. One had to remove the floorboard toremove the front exhaust to remove the cover for the filter. The other I could get the cover off without removing anything else. There is one drain bolt under the crankcase.
There are a couple of OIL FILTER RELOCATION KITS available that when installed put a spin on filter at the front of the engine like the R*.

Clifford

http://www.paulmilner.com/yamaha/handbuch/VSTAR_650_MAIN_MAN.pdf

Grab that service manual and check page 3-18..... The service manual is handy to have

How many quarts of oil does it take 3 1/2?

That sounds about right, I don't quite remember but I would put 3 in and check the sight glass with the bike level....Make sure the oil level is in between the marks on the sight glass, do not overfill!

I had to remove the exhaust to change the oil filter on my 03 650, when I had stock exhaust When I switched to HK big 3" I didn't BUT I got oil all over them. You only have to change the oil filter every other change though. A lot of guys did the oil filter relocation around the front like the R*

Check out this website for 650. It's got a TON of info about anything you would want to know about the 650. http://650ccnd.com/

Steven