So Embarrassed - Rookie Mistake

[OldRider]

My experince with stripped 12mm holes is that when they are stripped, they are sized for a 1/2-20 tap. No drilling required.

 

[V2Neal]

If I could fix it with a 1/2-20 tap and a new drain bolt, you bet I'd try and fix it before I bought a new oil pan! You have to take the old pan off anyway if you buy a new one, so if you're gonna take it off, you might as well see if a seven dollar tap from the hardware store will fix it. After all, the original drain hole is just a hole drilled in the pan and then tapped; that's no different from drilling a slightly bigger hole and tapping it yourself. Worst case scenario is that you somehow screw it up, and then you can buy a new oil pan.

I'm definitely a cheap bastid with a KLR soul, though; it's a big reason why I do things like make my own cell phone mounts, and rebuild compressors to make them smaller rather than spring for a snooty CyclePump.

Edit: I realized that I typed 1/4-20 instead of 1/2-20, so I fixed it.

Please don't confuse me with those Big Money Wallet or Keep Throwing Money guys. I've been known to re-use rubbers by turning them inside out and shaking the f**k out of them. >

But there was talk of shmere-ing grease on a tap to catch the shavings, etc, etc. Yes, I know shade tree ways will mostly work, but can you be sure? I mean,it's only your engine we are dealing with. I'm all for pulling the pan off and if it's not cracked or anything, tap it and up size the drain plugs.

Good luck to the OP ::003::

 

[RCinNC]

Please don't confuse me with those Big Money Wallet or Keep Throwing Money guys. I've been known to re-use rubbers by turning them inside out and shaking the f**k out of them. >

But there was talk of shmere-ing grease on a tap to catch the shavings, etc, etc. Yes, I know shade tree ways will mostly work, but can you be sure? I mean,it's only your engine we are dealing with. I'm all for pulling the pan off and if it's not cracked or anything, tap it and up size the drain plugs.

Good luck to the OP ::003::

I wouldn't tap it with the pan still attached either.

If it was some sort of emergency fix, then I'd try the grease on a tap trick, but unless a hurricane was bearing down on me and I had to flee, I'd take the pan off and tap the hole with the pan up on a bench. I don't look at a repair like this as a shade tree mechanic kind of fix; it's just the normal thing you'd do if you stripped out a hole for a drain plug. I wouldn't mock anyone if they decided to just buy a new pan, any more than I'd mock someone who has a garage do oil changes on their bike.

 

[ace50]

I'd try tapping it first, prefer off the bike if that's easy to do,
but the thing to watch out for if doing it by hand is it needs to be square to the existing hole
so the washer can seal properly.
It's easy to angle it by hand tapping.

 

[Z00KA]

Guys....thanks for all the kind responses to my "situation"!

After researching my options, I've decided to go with a Time-Sert installation, and then if doesn't take (or I screw THAT up), I'll go with a new bottom pan.

Thanks again for all the help..."luv u guyz"!

 

[bob dirt]

You might have someone else do it for you ::015::
Just kidding...good luck ::003::

 

[Checkswrecks]

I've fixed a lot of ATV stripped 12mm drain plugs this way. The one thing I would do different is to go with 1/2-20 instead of 1/2-13, then you can use a standard automotive drain plug.

I also agree with this approach.
After removing the pan.

 

[fireduc]

I know this is late in the thread but I went through this. Bought my '13 with 1k miles. Went to change the oil and found a stripped drain plug from the dealer (used bike off warranty so no recourse). Tried Time Sert and still leaked. finally bought a new pan. If I had gone with the pan first I would have saved a bunch of time and money. Hindsight a new pan is the way to go.

 

[Ramseybella]

I find it amazing how Someone could strip this?
Seriously it's an easy bolt to install..

 

[EricV]

I find it amazing how Someone could strip this?
Seriously it's an easy bolt to install..

It happens more than you may think. Some people have 'feel' or mechanical empathy, some do not. A lot of oil drain plugs are stripped by people using torque wrenches that don't understand the differences between dry and lubed threads and what the torque specifications mean. Or simply lack the understanding of how tight is tight enough for the task.

The OP simply had a brain fart, and admitted that. The most recent poster got the bike that way, so no one knows how that occurred or by whom. Apathy of a shop employee? Heavy handed previous owner? Long torque wrench and no comprehension of effort required? It's anyone's guess.

 

[Dogdaze]

It happens more than you may think. Some people have 'feel' or mechanical empathy, some do not. A lot of oil drain plugs are stripped by people using torque wrenches that don't understand the differences between dry and lubed threads and what the torque specifications mean. Or simply lack the understanding of how tight is tight enough for the task.

The OP simply had a brain fart, and admitted that. The most recent poster got the bike that way, so no one knows how that occurred or by whom. Apathy of a shop employee? Heavy handed previous owner? Long torque wrench and no comprehension of effort required? It's anyone's guess.

::008:: exactly, no 'mechanical feel'. Too often people are using torque wrenches, especially on bolts where there is virtually no pressure to retain. My father taught me that if in doubt, use the smallest length wrench, less chance of exerting unnecessary force.

 

[WJBertrand]

There are some people who just don’t have a mechanical bone in their body, and you just can’t teach them. I have a BIL like that, great guy, but should never be allowed to handle tools!


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[magic]

It happens more than you may think. Some people have 'feel' or mechanical empathy, some do not. A lot of oil drain plugs are stripped by people using torque wrenches that don't understand the differences between dry and lubed threads and what the torque specifications mean. Or simply lack the understanding of how tight is tight enough for the task.

The OP simply had a brain fart, and admitted that. The most recent poster got the bike that way, so no one knows how that occurred or by whom. Apathy of a shop employee? Heavy handed previous owner? Long torque wrench and no comprehension of effort required? It's anyone's guess.

Or, some people just don't know which way is loose and which way is tight. Especially if the plug or bolt is upside down. This is why I very rarely consider buying used cars, bikes or trucks.

 

[magic]

There are some people who just don’t have a mechanical bone in their body, and you just can’t teach them. I have a BIL like that, great guy, but should never be allowed to handle tools!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

::026::Hey, I've got 3 of those, BILs that can wreck anything. Then they call me to fix their blunder. I tell them "sorry, retired".

 

[EricV]

Or, some people just don't know which way is loose and which way is tight. Especially if the plug or bolt is upside down. This is why I very rarely consider buying used cars, bikes or trucks.

Everyone is allowed to make mistakes. It's part of being human. Bet he won't make that one again though!

Good for you on rarely buying used. Not something everyone wants or can afford to do. I didn't see any reason to pay an extra $6k for my current Super Tenere. I paid $14k for the 2012 when I bought it new in 2011, but it wasn't like I was going to find a used one then. I don't mind buying used things and sometimes that means fixing other people's work or errors. I have skills, generally that means I know how to deal with it and often do it myself, so I'm not out much cash to take care of it. I've not personally had any major problem with something I bought used. But I know what to look for too.

Yeah, my BIL can break a hammer. I don't loan him lawn mowers!

 

[Checkswrecks]

I know some have had this pan off. Does anybody recall how much material there is on the inside? The drilling and cutting and the oversized... how much material is there actually to work with?

It's pretty thin, but most of the ideas mentioned would work. Replacing the pan is best of course.