There is two oil drain plugs?

[jaybar6]

I've just realized there are two oil drain plugs in the xs650 engine! I've been changing the oil using the "engine" plug, thinking all the oil would be drained from the engine, but no, half(guessing) the oil is still in the gearbox section of the engine! probably the worst, the grindy, metal, sludge, circulating in the engine. Bother! jay

 

[gggGary]

Just realized, eh? Guess you don't scrub your bottom too often?
LOL
The good news is the fence is low. Not that much is left back there and the magnet catches many of the steel bits to keep them out of the bearings and such.

 

[jaybar6]

Just realized, eh? Guess you don't scrub your bottom too often?
LOL
The good news is the fence is low. Not that much is left back there and the magnet catches many of the steel bits to keep them out of the bearings and such.

i'll scrub my bottom frequently from now on,lol. it is just annoying knowing there is contaminated oil mixing with the new oil. Jay

 

[gggGary]

i'll scrub my bottom frequently from now on,lol. it is just annoying knowing there is contaminated oil mixing with the new oil. Jay

yes I open both at oil changes.

 

[gggGary]

contaminated oil mixing with the new oil

bbbBut just yesterday you were running the snot out of that motor on 100% "old contaminated oil". the new oil supplies a fresh package of consumables and unbroken oil molecule chains, most of the contaminates went in the drain pan and the motor is adding new junk today.

 

[jaybar6]

bbbBut just yesterday you were running the snot out of that motor on 100% "old contaminated oil". the new oil supplies a fresh package of consumables and unbroken oil molecule chains, most of the contaminates went in the drain pan and the motor is adding new junk today.

Most of the motorcycles i have owned has had only one sump plug. Does anybody know if their motorcycles have more than one sump plug? i guess the old pre - unit cycles had different oil chambers. what about the Harley, does that engine have separate oil filling chambers?

 

[Mikey]

I will generally remove the sump plate every 2-3 oil changes so at that time I only remove just one plug
either the old gasket will be reusable or I have a few home cut ones available
And I have a replacement sump plate w/filter ready and cleaned to go

 

[JJames]

Like Gary said. Not a huge deal. And like Mikey said pull the sump cover every few changes to clean and check things out. The first time you pull the sump cover. Clean the gasket surfaces thoroughly and apply a clean gasket with oil or grease as a sealant. If you use anything else. Use only on the plate side. That way the engine side stays clean and you can reuse the gasket and not have to get under the bike again.

 

[jaybar6]

I will generally remove the sump plate every 2-3 oil changes so at that time I only remove just one plug
either the old gasket will be reusable or I have a few home cut ones available
And I have a replacement sump plate w/filter ready and cleaned to go

Hi mikey, With respect, if you have gone to the trouble of removing the sump plate, removing one more bolt i.e. the transmission plug would be no big deal. That old oil is still in there. jay

 

[JJames]

Hi mikey, With respect, if you have gone to the trouble of removing the sump plate, removing one more bolt i.e. the transmission plug would be no big deal. That old oil is still in there. jay

I pull the plug first but either way the oil is coming out.

 

[jaybar6]

Big idea! one could block off the gearbox from the engine, with a plastic plate (heat resistant). Then put single grade oil, like sae90 just in the gearbox and have multi-grade in the engine. But then there is only one filler hole and it fills the gearbox first! Aha! the multi-grade could be filled/ entered in the engine through one of the valve covers! jay

 

[Raymond]

I think you have just re-invented the pre-unit engine . . . needs a bit more thought though, LOL

 

[JJames]

Big idea! one could block off the gearbox from the engine, with a plastic plate (heat resistant). Then put single grade oil, like sae90 just in the gearbox and have multi-grade in the engine. But then there is only one filler hole and it fills the gearbox first! Aha! the multi-grade could be filled/ entered in the engine through one of the valve covers! jay

Interesting idea. But... if it ain't broke..

 

[Mikey]

Hi mikey, With respect, if you have gone to the trouble of removing the sump plate, removing one more bolt i.e. the transmission plug would be no big deal. That old oil is still in there. jay

Just being cheap
1 less crush washer to use

 

[gggGary]

aneal and reuse copper washers, just a bit of propane.

 

[Mikey]

The ones I get from aircraft spruce seem to have an inner core ?
As in not solid copper
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/an900.php?clickkey=7239

 

[Raymond]

Those don't look like ones you can anneal, you need plain ones for that.

 

[jetmechmarty]

The ones I get from aircraft spruce seem to have an inner core ?
As in not solid copper
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/an900.php?clickkey=7239

Those don't look like ones you can anneal, you need plain ones for that.


View attachment 330555

I’m sure I have reused the washers from Aircraft Spruce. Maybe more than once. I did not and would not attempt to anneal them.

 

[Mikey]

I just keep a stash and order as needed there cheap enough @ $1.93 a piece

 

[5twins]

I always re-use them several times. You'll know when it's time to change them out, they'll leak, lol. Not an out and out dripping but just a heavy oil sweat even with the plug tight. I think I'm about at that point on the current sump plate and plug installed on my '83. I tightened it up a little more the other day, but it was pretty tight already. I think I'm going to try the drain plug gasket included in those SCM gaskets sets next. Yes, I said "gasket". It appears to be made from the same black gasket material as the rest of the gaskets in the kit but it's thicker and quite hard. I'm hoping it will work well and hold up through multiple changes.