Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Tech
Oil catch pan on the road. What do you use? Oil catch pan on the road. What do you use?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Tech ALL bikes: "Generic" tech questions and answers. Maintenance, general discussions etc.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By g6snl

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 29 Dec 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Honduras
Posts: 175
Oil catch pan on the road. What do you use?
I'm in the middle of prepping for my first big bike trip and was thinking about service on the road.

What do you all use to catch the oil when you do your changes on the road? Looking for any ideas.

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 29 Dec 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 141
Something I scrounge out of the trash, gallon oil jug, gallon milk/water jug. Cut it down to make catch pan.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 29 Dec 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 679
Sometimes I use my fuel can if not a 2lt coke bottle with top cut off. I then transfer it into used oil bottles and take it to mechanic to dispose of as they usually have a filthy great vat for used oils (not sure if they then just dump this in the same place they would usual waste but I hope not).
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 29 Dec 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Honduras
Posts: 175
Those are easy options. I'll be in Central America and finding scrap plastic bottles is hard to find. So many people down there rummage through garbage and collect plastic bottles to sell them for money. I guess when I know an oil change is coming up I can buy a 2L water bottle and plan on using that.

I just prefer some kind of wide pan as the direction and trajectory of the hot oil stream coming out of the drain hole can be tough to calculate sometimes.

Another thought was to carry a small plastic basin/bowl and line it with a couple of plastic bags. But then I gotta carry that thing around...not ideal...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 29 Dec 2014
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
Don't bother carrying anything for your oil changes, I worked in CA for a year and never had any problems finding a suitable jug/container to drop old engine oil into, there are lots of bottles and used oil jugs around, if you want to make more of a pan then cut a large hole in the side of a 5 or 10L jug and lay it on its side, then you can use the spout to pour it into another container after. Same in South America if you head South, there's always a Muchacho to find you something at the hostels/campsites/hotels


By the way, unfortunately generally the poorer the country, the less people recycle, your old oil will normally end up in a landfill, in West Africa, Ive seen them just dig a hole in the sand under the vehicle and drop the oil straight into it, then cover it over, sad but a fact of life.
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 29 Dec 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Honduras
Posts: 175
I lived in Honduras for 2 years, just got back about 7 months ago. Usually used a bottle while I was there but was asking to see if there was a different solution from the community. Thanks for the reply!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 30 Dec 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Calgary, AB Canada
Posts: 6
bike servicing on the road
The times that I changed oil on the road were a combination of slicing large plastic bottles in half or simply asking the shop that I bought the oil from if they had an oil pan to use. All the shops were very accommodating, and I would either by the owner a , pop or give him some gratuity for going out of his way.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 30 Dec 2014
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,982
Yup, many of the places you buy your oil from will change it for free--tips greatly appreciated (given to the workers, not the owner). Others will lend you the pan and tools. Still others will tell you who'll change it for a dollar or two.

I frequently used styrofoam cups, sliced-open soft drink bottles, or whatever other forms of trash I found nearby. It ain't rocket science, and it's not like there's a shortage of roadside trash. Service stations sell (or re-purpose or re-use!) used oil, so are generally agreeable to accepting your donations.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 30 Dec 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
Quote:
Originally Posted by Talus View Post
What do you all use to catch the oil when you do your changes on the road?

Just surprised no-one's yet suggested a ditch.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 30 Dec 2014
g6snl's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Home in Essex GB
Posts: 564
Quote:
Originally Posted by backofbeyond View Post
Just surprised no-one's yet suggested a ditch.
I got quite close to that once but then had the idea to pile up dry grass leaves etc, drain onto that. Light it up and chuck on some wood. Camp fire for the night !
__________________
Regards Tim

Learning my craft for the big stuff, it won't be long now and it's not that far anyway
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 30 Dec 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 141
I've used the ditch method a time or two but didn't want to get flamed by the enviromentalists.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 30 Dec 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
You could change your name from Juan to Exxon ROFL


It happens. It's made worse when so called civilised places have disposal charges (or ones invented by greedy workshop owners). The large coke bottle method works and at least gives the option of trying to do the right thing first.


Andy
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 30 Dec 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Outer Sydney, Australia
Posts: 366
Quote:
Originally Posted by backofbeyond View Post
Just surprised no-one's yet suggested a ditch.
Quote:
Originally Posted by juanvaldez650 View Post
I've used the ditch method a time or two but didn't want to get flamed by the enviromentalists.
Guilty your honour
In the outback a few times, just dig a hole & park on top of it
Pizza boxes are good for small amounts, because they can soak up oil nicely.
Randomly pause & pour into coke bottle or the like
__________________
My memory is becoming that good, I should be able to organise my own surprise party soon
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 31 Dec 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 679
Oil catch pan on the road. What do you use?
Environmentalists would probably cycle!I feel bad enough leaving a trail of garbage behind me all over the world. Anyway, maybe it's a good job we all don't just dump our shit by the side of the road otherwise we'd have a pretty bad rep
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
RTW on CRF250L - Amsterdam to....Anywhere! -Leonie- Ride Tales 63 13 Jul 2016 06:42
Tales from the Saddle klous-1 Ride Tales 88 4 Feb 2016 21:30
NomadGal's Year on the Road (and then some!) NomadGal Ride Tales 116 16 Nov 2015 04:09
Uganda Road Trip Honda XLR250 kampalaric Ride Tales 4 1 Jun 2014 08:14
Sydney to Germany - the African way BikingMarco Ride Tales 320 23 Sep 2012 11:31

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:17.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top