Oil change - washer size?

[Turkina]

I was wondering what size the crush washer was for the oil drain plug.  I can't find it in my manuals  :dunno:   Anyone know?

I was in Pep Boys and Auto Zone today.  What happened to all the 10W-40 oil?  I was planning to get some synthetic like Mobil 1, but all the 10W-40 is dino now.  I couldn't find any synthetic with that viscosity.  I know newer engines like stuff like 5W-30, but still...

Well, to be honest, I did find some Mobil 1 with the proper viscostity... but it was branded for motorcycles and costs $8 a quart!  :x Someone's going to say AMSOIL...  

[Bob Broussard]

I think the crush washer is brass. I've never been able to get one off to replace it anyway. Never had the slightest problem with leakage or anything, so I wouldn't worry about it.
MOTUL full synthetic is $13 a quart if that makes you feel any better. :lol:
Synthetic blends are cheaper and dino oil is cheapest.

[Turkina]

$13 a quart? Heh, that does make me feel better  Since I'm only changing the oil to replace an engine cover I ground down, I think I'll wait until I put on a couple thousand miles more.  Let's see... I have license now, no heart surgery and medications, no accident injuries... I think I can get the mileage in soon enough!  

What pissed me off is that I'm pretty sure the Mobil's motorcycle oil is pretty much the same as the old Mobil 1... with $4 tacked onto the price!

[Bob Broussard]

If you lean the bike against something, you can remove the cover without draining the oil.
The biggest hassle is cleaning off the gasket if it's glued on. I only use sealer on the case. then the gasket comes off clean with the case. That's how I work on my clutch at the track.

[Turkina]

More stupid questions... be kind to me, I'm making up for all the times I saw my dad wrenching on the cars and didn't pay attention  

What kind of gasket sealer are you using?  The manuals and such make no mention of needing silicone or stuff to keep the gasket in place.  Also, wouldn't the sealer make the gasket stick to the case?  Although it would be easier to scrape off cleanly, rather than on the engine block.

[Bob Broussard]

Actually you shouldn't need sealer. I use Permatex aviation sealer. it comes in a small white plastic bottle with a brush in the cap. It is a thin sticky sealer that helps hold the gasket in place. I put it on the side case only to hold the gasket on. Then the case comes off without tearing the gasket and it stays in place when I put the case back on. This is more practical for a race bike, since it gets worked on alot
The dowels on the side cases should keep the gasket lined up. You can use a little grease on the case edge to help hold the gasket in place too.
If the gasket is stuck on the engine or cases (it probably will be  :x  ) then use a razor blade to clean it off.
Just be careful not to gouge the cases. Then use some sandpaper to finish cleaning the surfaces. You can cover things with rags to keep the bits out of the motor.