Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all.

I was changing the oil today and when I removed the oil tank plug out with it came some of the threads from the hole, I'm usually careful with the plugs when tightening them up because there are only a few threads anyway but obviously something went wrong last time I tightened it up. the bikes a 2006 4 speed classic and I'm hoping someone can come up with a fix without the need to pull the engine down any help will really be appreciated.

Bob.

What size thread is it, i cant remember how long it is since i did a four speed gearbox oil change.

If its only about 3/8' or 10mm ish, you could drill and tap it out the next size up and make a plug out of a bolt. You would only have to remove the outer and inner covers for that, to clean out any swarf, BEFORE you do the drilling!

Ray.

Ray.

I think were talking about different threads here, I mean I have stripped the oil tank drain thread not the gearbox drain thread, sorry for any confusion.

Bob.

Bob Helicoil is your only answer, a rag coated in grease and pushed up inside the hole first will catch the swarf when you pull it back out. Most of the swarfe will fall out while you are tapping it but the rag will stop any sneaky bits from flinging around while you tap it

Sorry about that Bob, I blame my age!

As has been said, a helicoil is best bet, make sure drill and tap are dead square and coated in grease, or you will never seal the hole. Tried to do same job on a new mini sump, finished up buying a new one!

Once job is done you could try flushing oil tank with petrol or other grease solvent.

Ray

Norm and Ray.

Thanks for help, it would appear that the drain plug is the same thread size as spark plugs so maybe a helicoil spark plug kit will do the job, with regard to the oil tank does anyone know where about the oil feed to the pump is situated does it feed from the very bottom of the tank or part way up from the bottom just so I now for when I flush any bits that are left out.

Bob.

Bob, the oil pickup is from the bottom of the tank is about 3/16th in diameter and has no screen so you have to be carefull

OK, horrible bodge coming up. Araldite it in and buy a sucker to get the oil out. Deal with it properly when you have the gearbox out for something else.

I would tap it out to 1/2in bsp. Get a 1/2in bsp brass threaded stop from B&Q. Job done in minutes. simples.

I'm not sure there's enough thickness of metal to take a bsp successfully Johnny.