Hi Folks,

When changing the oil on my GS500F I managed to over tighten the oil pan plug bolt.

I need a new oil pan, the problem - I don't have time to source and fit one before leaving the bike (and the country) for 6 months to a year.

I had planned my final oil change to coincide with putting the bike into storage for up to a year, but now I am worried about doing so as the bike is presently sitting without any oil in it.

Do you think if i put the plug back in and fill the bike with a litre or two of oil it will be ok, indoors but unheated!? Obviously I can't turn the engine over to ensure a thorough coating of oil internally but better with something in it than nothing right?

I am as many before me, a first time poster. Ive used the forum before to find answers but I can't find the answer to this problem! thanks in advance.

The usual remedy is to buy a tap for the next up size bolt and drill and rethread the hole, using the larger bolt as a new plug.

Bike will be fine without oil. It's best to put new oil in a bike if you are leaving it for a while (old oil often has condensation and is more corrosive then new oil). I'd put half an ounce of oil in each cylinder and turn the engine over a few times to coat the cylinders and rings. (can turn engine over with back wheel if in gear and on centre stand). After long storage, the cylinder that had an open valve will rust. Especially if in a room with a tumble drier!

Google "Expansion Plug" it will outlast yer luv 4 da bike

Unless you've rinsed the crankcase with solvent, everything is still coated with oil.  Maybe it's not ideal but I'd be more concerned with getting the fuel drained out of it before putting it away for a year.

The above suggestions are good ones! 

If you take the plugs out to put some oil in the cylinders, there's no reason you can't hit the starter to run things around a few times.  With the plugs out, it can't start and it's not going to suck fuel from dry carbs.  Just don't neglect to put the plugs back in before storage.

Cheers folks - your advise is greatly appreciated! - Really is a very healthy wealth of information on this forum!

Quote from: herennow on October 06, 2018, 11:04:25 AM
The usual remedy is to buy a tap for the next up size bolt and drill and rethread the hole, using the larger bolt as a new plug.

Going to tap up the hole, though I've sensibly handed over the task to a trained professional! Its too late in the game for me to be making matters worse lol

Thanks again all!