Question for Gasman

[vej]

I was going through your "How to Service" post last night... changing my oil. I noted that it never says to "drain the case" of your engine... you specifically say the tank, but never the engine drain plug... is there a reason? Or just figure we all know that, or just an "oops".


Also, I attached a picture you posted. I was just wondering what the upper allen bolt was to. The bottom allen holds the crank sensor in, but what is the upper bolt for? I took mine out while changing my oil..... I hope that wasn't a mistake

Thanks!!

ps, I'll be going through that post further and using it... thanks again.

 

[MARV]

the top bolt is if your ignition doesnt use a crank sensor you can put a 2 bolt cover over the sensor hole.

the case usually isnt drained for fear of damaging the plug threads. major repair for a minimal gain.

 

[woodbutcher]

the case usually isnt drained for fear of damaging the plug threads. major repair for a minimal gain.

that's where the scavenger comes into play if you want to get rid of that last 1/2 quart of dirty oil. :2thumbs:

 

[lee]

yeah wood is right. Have to say though I scavenge when I do my oil changes and I get a full quart of black shitty oil when I do it and I give up then. When I change the oil on the Heritage it comes out looking exactly like it did when I put it in there.

 

[bigdogtech01]

I was going through your "How to Service" post last night... changing my oil. I noted that it never says to "drain the case" of your engine... you specifically say the tank, but never the engine drain plug... is there a reason? Or just figure we all know that, or just an "oops".

Yes you should drain the case as well as your oil tank and oil filter. It is not a big deal. the plug has a shoulder on it with an O-ring type seal. I have been draining them that way for years, probably thousands, and have never had one strip or have seen one. I could imagine you could just like you could on your Harley Drain plugs if you are trying to put too many ft lbs onto it. Take a little liquid pipe thread sealant, (not the tape type, the liquid type) and put a small amount onto the threads before you install it back into the bike.
If you do not drain the lower end you will never be able to fit all 3 qts back into the bike.

 

[TheDeadOne]

vej,
All of the above comments are correct. Most V-Twin motors run what's known as a "Dry Sump" System. This enables the motors to be more compact due to no real oil sump, produce just a little bit more horsepower due to the lack of the crank having to wash through all oil being in the sump, per every revolution and also uses the tank reservoir and exterior oil lines as a means to help in cooling the oil temperature itself, produced by the engine.
I drain my case as well when I change my oil. But like was previously stated, be very careful not to strip the sump plug if you do. It's a real pain to correct it if it's striped real bad.

I hope that this helps your understanding of things. :2thumbs:

dead

 

[vej]

Thanks

Thanks to all that jumped on this thread. So, the case drain was as I thought (I always drain mine too). And I learned what the second allen bolt was for (had no idea).

Someday (when warranty is gone), I hope to use that second hole to help block off the sensor when I upgrade my ignition system... but for now, warranty stays intact.

 

[Gas Man]

They got everything.

Forget draining the case... as Marv said... little gain. Get the scavenger and do the job 100%. Just draining the tank is doing it 75%, draining the case maybe 80%. The scavenger will get you to 100%.

And for the sensor block off. You just need to order a trans speedo block off plate.

Does this

I believe this is the part
Drag Specialties :: Dashes & Gauges > Sensors, Covers, Lines, Plugs & Oil Gauges > ELECTRONIC SPEEDOMETER SPEED SENSOR HOLE PLUG sensor

 

[vej]

SpeedO

So Gas, if I'm understanding correctly, the crank sensor is for the speedo... so since yours is blocked off, what speedo are you running?

 

[Gas Man]

No. The speedo and crank sensors are the same dimensions. You buy a speedo sensor block off and can use it in your crank sensor hole.

 

[Raywood]

Someday (when warranty is gone), I hope to use that second hole to help block off the sensor when I upgrade my ignition system... but for now, warranty stays intact.

I would think you would be better leaving the crank sensor as it's supposed to be more accurate and just upgrade the ignition like Jake did in his How To with the ThunderHeart Ignition. Does your bike even have a nose cone with a removable cam plate?

 

[vej]

I would think you would be better leaving the crank sensor as it's supposed to be more accurate and just upgrade the ignition like Jake did in his How To with the ThunderHeart Ignition. Does your bike even have a nose cone with a removable cam plate?

No... the nose cone has no removable plate/access... (sorry I haven't looked at this thread in a long time)