Oil Change - Drain Plug

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bkellis1

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Ok, super stupid question here. I went to drain my oil but couldn't get either plug to budge. Before I screw anything up, thought I better confirm that the threads are normal and not reverse threads. Someone please confirm that for the drain plugs, right to tight, left to loosen. Or better said, counter-clockwise to loosen. Is that right?
 
Normal threads, righty tighty, lefty loosey. The best option is go to Harbor Freight and buy a long pull handle. A six point 27 mm socket would be better than a twelve point for this. Proper copper washers and torque to reinstall.
 
Good to know about the copper washer. Might as well start hunting for those too. Do local auto parts stores typically stock something like that, or will I need to drive the distance to my nearest bike shop?
 
The drain plug washer is hollow, thus the “crush”. I doubt an auto store will have anything like that.
 
If you happened to buy an Athena full engine gasket set, it contains two red bakelite drain plug washers. These are the best I've ever used and last forever. I've had one on the rear plug of my '78 for 10+ years.
 
May as well bite the bullet and buy a whole set. You will eventually use them and as long as you’re in there replace any rubber oil seals that you might encounter.
 
Apparently, the way the cases are set up inside, one drain plug in one spot won't get all the oil out. So, you always want to pull both. Most of the oil will come out the first plug pulled, a few more ounces out the 2nd one.
 
Ok, thanks guys! Very helpful. I'm now the proud owner of a new 27mm socket. Getting ready to see what might be lurking in the oil. Although, remembering back a few weeks, I've already dumped most of it on the garage floor when I dropped the starter. So it's going to look relatively clean since I had to fill it back up to try to get it started. It ran for a brief moment, but it was obvious I was going to have to tear into the starter gears to tighten that tensioning spring. I'll probably be posting questions about that next, but I'll start a new thread for that one. Thanks everyone for your help!!!
 
Those drain plugs can be stuck so badly I often need to resort to using an impact gun on them. After that, with a fresh seal ring, they're easy to remove.
 
bkellis1 said:
Ok, thanks guys! Very helpful. I'm now the proud owner of a new 27mm socket. Getting ready to see what might be lurking in the oil. Although, remembering back a few weeks, I've already dumped most of it on the garage floor when I dropped the starter. So it's going to look relatively clean since I had to fill it back up to try to get it started. It ran for a brief moment, but it was obvious I was going to have to tear into the starter gears to tighten that tensioning spring. I'll probably be posting questions about that next, but I'll start a new thread for that one. Thanks everyone for your help!!!
Click to expand...
Just start a new thread something like new to me 1977 yamaha (or something like that ) this way all your questions and answers will be there for you and us all in one place
Someone suggested it to me and it keeps everything together
And post a few pics of the bike too
Mikey

​

 
Are there any other sump drain plugs that fit the XS? Like from an XVS or something?

When I eventually remove these stubborn bolts I am going to want to replace em, as they’re starting to get a bit smooth!

I curse those monkeys that don’t replace the washers and over tighten 😡
 

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