Hitchcocks Forum

I have a bit of problem I need to do an oil change and I cannot find a socket/ spanner to fit this I have a/f metric and whit spanners but not one to fit this do you know what size it should be please?

The oil drain plug could be a British Standard Pipe fitting size, I've never checked the one on my '61 Bullet, but give me a while and I'll get back to you unless someone else beats me to it. Watch this space

However, it does look as though yours has had a bit of a hard life with those rounded-off corners and no longer fits the spanner it was intended to fit. I'd be tempted to use a set of mole grips on it in that case and dress the hexagon with a file afterwards to fit the nearest available spanner size, or splash out on a new one, part number 26472. If it's a BSP plug, your local hose fittings supplier should have one.

A.

thanks for the reply i dont know if i can get on it with mole grips but it looks like i may have to try...
yes this is the first oil change so not looking forward to trying to gae it out..every socket i have tried is either too small juast or too big

ended up getting it out with small mole grips..
does this look like it should be. its made of brass and is aprox 15 mm across the flats

With one that rounded, you'd be better off with a hex socket, box wrench or ring spanner or even just an open C-spanner. Those multi-point ones you have in the picture will just finish off what someone else started with regard to rounding it off.

The open spanner one suprised me but there's a youtube channel where they torque test various spanners and sockets on standardised 30% rounded mild steel hex and a decent c-spanner performed significantly better than 16 point or spline drives.

OK, back from the garage, the oil tank drain plug on mine has a 3/8" W or 7/16" BSF hexagon in its unchewed state. Nearest AF and metric would be 11/16" or 18mm.

The plug is not a BSP item, the thread is much coarser than 1/4" BSP and slightly larger diameter.

Could you get in with a Dremel and grind out a decent screwdriver slot? Just pray it's not been done up with stud and bearing fit Loctite. That's enough encouragement...

A.

Adrian wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 17, 2022 4:32 pm

OK, back from the garage, the oil tank drain plug on mine has a 3/8" W or 7/16" BSF hexagon in its unchewed state. Nearest AF and metric would be 11/16" or 18mm.

The plug is not a BSP item, the thread is much coarser than 1/4" BSP and slightly larger diameter.

Could you get in with a Dremel and grind out a decent screwdriver slot? Just pray it's not been done up with stud and bearing fit Loctite. That's enough encouragement...

A.

thanks nothing like the size of mine???
got it out with vice grips....
this is brass??? and completly different size..
and chances of getting one here in spain pretty remote LOL..

Posts crossed!

Our hosts will post to Europe:

https://accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycl ... nformation

A.

Quick bodge: drill the centre of the plug 8mm, fit M8socket head cap (allen) screw with head inside the plug, use a good thread sealant grade of Loctite the stainless M8 washer and M8 stainless dome nut on the outside, all done up really tight. Then you can use a 13mm spanner just to do up and undo the whole thing, just remember not to overtighten.

A.

Adrian wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 17, 2022 5:35 pm

Quick bodge: drill the centre of the plug 8mm, fit M8socket head cap (allen) screw with head inside the plug, use a good thread sealant grade of Loctite the stainless M8 washer and M8 stainless dome nut on the outside, all done up really tight. Then you can use a 13mm spanner just to do up and undo the whole thing, just remember not to overtighten.

A.

nice one thanks