| Author | Message | ||
     Mtnmason |
So, I live in a relatively nice (albeit crowded) neighborhood of victorian row homes in downtown richmond within close proximity of several bars. My 07 'bolt sleeps soundly on the street outside my front door, usually with the cover on. I rode a little bit yesterday and parked her w/o the cover. At some point late last night, some low-life piece of shit decided it would be a fun drunken prank to steal my oil cap. Now my fear is that they may have taken it a step farther and decided to throw some roadside crud down the hole. I didnt notice any more debris around the hole than is normally there from riding around, but I would rather be safe than sorry. Im hoping that when I drain her I wont see any pebbles and what not coming out in the oil. Regardless, I would still like to flush it out as best I can. What is the best way to go about this w/o removing the swingarm? To compound things, Ive found that a stock dipstick to replace the stolen one is tough to find. Would anyone be kind enough to shoot me the PN? It seems at this point my only option is the $90 one offered over at americansportbike. I can think of at least 50 different ways I'd rather spend 90 bucks on my bike. Any help would be much appreciated. I'm currently searching for some garage renting options now. I believe I can speak for all of us in saying that anyone caught tampering with one of our bikes is deserving of a nice CURB STOMPING!!!! | ||
| Sticks |
That sucks. If you don't warm it up it's going to drain out really slow. Even so, that's what I'd do is just drain it out as best you can. I don't know any PN's. Rizoma does make an aftermarket cap that uses an Allen wrench that would be slightly more tamper resistant than stock. | ||
| Ourdee |
I'd just use a mirror and flashlight to look in it after draining it. Or use it for an excuse to buy a camera. on sale at harborfreight for 90 bones  Cheaper yet; zoom in your phone camera and use an led light to look in the hole. Amazing macro ability of the phone cam. Don't drop the light in! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
You can slosh some kerosene in there then rinse the kerosene out with fresh oil. I did that with my ironhead when I first got it (YEARS and YEARS ago). | ||
| Satori |
Mechanics, cleaning out cage engines that have been submerged in water, use a mix of 1/5th of fresh ATF fluid to 1 part oil. run for about 15 min at idle, and drain. doing at many times as nessasary to remove all traces water in the oil. then change the oil the same way 2 -3 times more last couple of times with fresh oil.. all other times with used oil. The atf fluid is highly detergent. | ||
| Cymro |
Are you sure the cap was taken or could it have vibrated off! What I mean is if you don't know its a oil cap then what chance is there of some one taking it! for peace of mind I would take off the arm and give it a good shake for any rattle or you could even just take off every thing to allow you to hear any debris in the arm. Next question you will ask is how to get it out for which you will need to remove the arm. | ||
| No_rice |
I wouldnt think you would have a problem getting a stock dipstick right from the dealer. I'm not at work today so can't check availability, but doubt its hard to get. (Message edited by no_rice on January 30, 2012) | ||
| Mtnmason |
it was definitely taken. i'm sure most of us do a once-over of our bikes before a ride. I usually do the same thing after a ride, as over-the-top as it may sound. But it was certainly on there when it was parked. I have heard of them popping off as a result of pressure in the tank but not the case here. I'll be on the phone with surrounding dealers when they re-open t/m. thanks for all the advice. i think if anything was put in there it should be somewhat obvious. perhaps i'll drain it thru a screen or something | ||
| Akbuell |
Sorry to hear. Cretin idiots!!! Anyway, look carefully at the threads. Any stuff put in there (if it was; hopefully not) will likely show up there. If you can do it, put a heat lamp on that part of the swingarm, and let it warm up a bit. Drain into a clean container and look for stuff that shouldn't be there. If clean, flush w/kerosene, and look some more. If you do find bad things, then removal would seem the thing to do. And don't forget to flush the oil lines if you have to remove the swingarm. | ||
| Damnut |
I *may* have a stock one you can have for shipping. PM me if interested. *may* means I have to find it. | ||
| Blackm2 |
Probably didn't put anything down there, just another Bueller needing a free cap. But....maybe he loves Buells so much, he DID put something down there! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQxr1ByDGEk | ||
| Mtnmason |
hmmm... some natural lube? disgusting. I would never ride her again! I'll prob drain it t/m since it will be 70 degrees. Ive got access to a heat gun so maybe I'll thin it out a little. Again, thanks for all the input from everyone and for the offer, damnut. I odered one from East Coast HD in Quantico, Va. Interesting tidbit here: 2 of the 3 HD dealerships I called answered their phones "______ Harley Davidson, Buell" I thought that was nice. |
