| Author | Message | ||
     Bueaddicted |
I apologize if this is a stupid question, but does anyone know if I can use a different product than the one specified in the manual? The manual states to use "LOCTITE 565 PST THREAD SEALANT" when replacing the drain plug, but I can't find this anywhere. I tried calling 3 Harley stores near me, and none had it. What can I use? Thanks, Paul | ||
| Rich |
I use Teflon tape. | ||
| Davo |
I use Permatex High performance Thread Sealant as a substitute. Item # 56521. (1.69 fl. oz.) Loctite 565 in a .20 oz fl. oz. tube is part number 56507 I think they are the same product as the p/n indicates. I can't tell the difference. What ever you do, do not torque the oil drain plug to the factory specs as indicated in the 06 manuals. 29-34 ft-lbs is crazy and you WILL strip the threads!!!! I only go to 12 ft-lbs. With 565 and a rubber O ring it does not need to be that tight. I safety wire mine as a point of habit, but I safety wire everything. | ||
| Daves |
I don't use any sealant on the drain plugs No leaks yet | ||
| Davo |
Clarification, 06 Uly manuals. I don't know what the xb's call for but the same remedy applies. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Ditto, no sealant here... works great, never lost a plug. I use about 12-15 lbs of torque. | ||
| Daves |
I've never owned a torque wrench. Jeez, just snug it up. | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
I don't fuss with locktite or torque wrenches on the drain plug either. The rubber o-ring seals it just fine. I just snug it up and ride. It's never leaked and the o-ring does a good job of isolating it from vibration which could cause it to back out. I do however use locktite on most everything else. I just don't want to take a chance on getting dried locktite flakes in my oil. | ||
| Prof_stack |
I don't fuss with locktite or torque wrenches on the drain plug either. The rubber o-ring seals it just fine. I just snug it up and ride. +1 | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
>I've never owned a torque wrench. >Jeez, just snug it up. "Snug" is a torque setting in my book. Also, "tight", "very tight" and "damn, I'm gonna bust a knuckle if this slips" I'd be more worried about loosing the plug with teflon tape on it than with nothing on it. Also, the o-ring is good for several oil changes before it tears and needs to be replaced. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
No loctite, no leaks. I was lucky enough to have someone tell me about the torque settings. I use a torque wrench not because I need to but because I am anal retentive. I replace the O ring every other oil change. | ||
| Mesa_cityx |
I use the High Performance stuff, too. DO NOT tighten the drain plug too much! Snug plus a little( just a little ) is good. 12-15 ft. lbs. is good. | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
I am obsessive about maintenance on my bike. Even though I use good oil (Rotella T or Delo diesel oil), I still change it every 1000 miles along with the primary fluid and brake fluid. That means I've had my drain plug out nine times so far and the o-ring still looks brand new. I'm just extra careful not to tighten it too much since I take it out a lot more often than most. You've gotta watch that aluminum. I'm sure most of you guys would say I'm way overkill. I know; that's the point.  I'd rather change the fluids than make repairs. | ||
| Irideabuell |
I'm old school. No loctite and hand snug on the drain plug. | ||
| Cmm213 |
I'm with Daves on this one! Clean the thing off and just snug it back in. | ||
| Bueaddicted |
Thanks guys!!! Really appreciate your help. When it comes to mechanical abilities I rate myself pretty low... But I am putting Loctite 272 on the fairing bolts, agreed? | ||
| Pwnzor |
Fairing bolts are known to wiggle loose from time to time. For those, I put a little dot of blue loctite on the bolt's threads, let it dry, and then screw it in. It's easier to clean off the bolts than the holes they go into. | ||
| Fastfxrs |
I've never used anything on an o-ring drain plug. Never used a torque wrench on one either and I've never lost a drop of oil. There's a few unfortunates here that stripped out the swing arm threads using sealant and a torque wrench though. | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
Yeah, those darn plastic part fasteners have a way of disappearing. Despite using blue locktite, I've managed to lose two so far. Well I lied...lost one and buggered the head on one trying to get it out with a buildup of locktite on it. LOL! Anyway, those darn things are about $2 apiece! | ||
| Jkhawaii |
the dealer techs at my dealer must go with the factory spec because the parts guy says he just ordered a bunch of them for service. I have no Idea why the book says that much torque for the drain plug! I use teflon paste but the oring dose seal fine by itself. the sealant is for back up and help keep the drain plug in place | ||
| Bumblebee |
I don't seal my drain plug with anything, other than the crush washer. So far so good. | ||
| Nutsnbolt |
yeah, I just put the dang thing back on and tighten it up. I've never owned a torque wrench. I feel that if I HAVE to own a torque wrench just to do an oil change then, maybe that bike isn't the bike for me. Crank it on, and call it a day. If it leaks, get some kitty litter. (Joke) I'm sure the marketing bubbas at LocTite must have gotten all flush and a feeling that only Viagra could give you when they saw just how much the BMC manuals for their bikes and owners push loctite for everything. Don't get me wrong, there are a few major things I will loctite but, come on, sometimes, you just need to do a walk around and check your bolts sometimes. You have a bike that shakes. I need to create a product that consumers will use on the most mundane of objects just to give themselves that feeling of security. Like, Exhaust conditioner. Mark | ||
| Dbf |
"Snug" is a torque setting in my book. Also, "tight", "very tight" and "damn, I'm gonna bust a knuckle if this slips" I use the 'tremble' method, 1 tremble equals tight, 2 trembles equals very tight and 3 trembles equates to a knuckle busting situation should your hand slip! I do, however, own 2 torque wrenchs...a ftlb wrench and an inlb wrench. I do not use any thread sealer on the drain plug, and I have had no problems. Dan | ||
| Road_thing |
There are three levels of "tight": 1) "Finger" tight 2) "White Knuckle" tight 3) "Break Wind" tight rt  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Chad always uses the German Spec. Gutenteit. | ||
| Sloppy |
Wait a second... what about "elbow click" tight. The hard thing about using the arm method is that the torque on the bolt/nut will be dependent upon the length of your wrench. 30 lbs of force on an open ended wrench could easily be 50 ft-lbs to a nut on a 1/2" socket wrench. It takes an extra 10 seconds of time to use a torque wrench, so why not do it? But do you want to hear anal retentive... get this one: I chase and clean the threads of all my nuts and bolts in all my vehicles... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
If you don't drop them, you don't have to chase them!  Sounds like you need a magnetic floor! |
