| Author | Message | ||
     Bsanorton |
I forget, do I need to take the Vance and Hines muffler off to remove the drain bolt? If so do I need to take if completely off? (Message edited by bsanorton on January 26, 2020) | ||
| Normthenomad |
Don't know what year or model you have. But the answer is, probably. Just start unscrewing the drain plug. If it comes out, then no. If it doesn't you'll have time to run it back in without much mess. | ||
| Phelan |
My personal opinion, is if you ever have to remove the primary cover, have a boss welded to the bottom and drill, tap it for an XB/Late HD drain plug (or the original plug I suppose) ans plug the original drain plug. Then you'll never have to drop the muffler again or get fluid on it. | ||
| Shoggin |
After it's off this time, screw a 90* fitting in the hole for next time and cap the end of that fitting. It's usually enough to clear the muffler, or you can even put a hose on it. Alternatively, if you are lazy like me, just steal some tin foil from the kitchen and mold a muffler shield/funnel with it. (Message edited by shoggin on January 26, 2020) | ||
| Bsanorton |
Thanks. I remembered one of my old X1's had their V&H muffler custom fitted to remove that bolt. The guy used a ball peen hammer and put an indent right where the bolt drops down. This is a 02' M2 I'm changing the fluids on | ||
| 651lance |
You can always use a fluid vacuum to pull the oil out through the primary cover. | ||
| Bsanorton |
Why no you don't. Successfully removed bolt and if you don't mind making love to it you can easily screw the bolt back on. Just had to clean the muffler real good as it dripped down both sides. Thank you for all the suggestions. Fluids and filter changed.  | ||
| Steveford |
A logical progression, the Notrun to the tube frame Buell. Beware of that oil filter, some of them were known to fail at the weld where that nut is. Quite a few failures on the new Triumph twins, just so you know. | ||
| Bsanorton |
Thanks Steve. Funny you should mention that. Theres a hole through it and as I was looking at it it seemed fragile. I happen to have another new one. The long style from HD. | ||
| Steveford |
Play it safe and chuck it out. It may have just one production run but it's not worth finding out if there's more of them. The hole is for safety wire. With the long H-D filter some people reported them unscrewing so the trick was a hose clamp with safety wire around the clamp to something handy. I always used Purolator filters with good results, can't see giving the MoFoCo any money if I don't have to. God knows they couldn't give Buell the boot soon enough. Like the Commando, it looks like a beauty. | ||
| Falloutnl |
For sure that Commando is nice. The M2 as well though, my dad has one just like it (volcano grey / molten orange). | ||
| Bsanorton |
Agree completely Steve. I still have a chip on my shoulder when I walk into a dealer, lol. Anytime a salesman catches my eye looking at a Sportster I say if the only had a Buell engine and handling. LOL  | ||
| Steveford |
Shock, carb, mirrors - what else did you do to that beauty? Did you see Norton just ran into some financial difficulties? https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news /leicestershire-based-norton-motorcycles-goes-3791 796 | ||
| Bsanorton |
That's about it Steve. Thanks for the article I guess not like the Triumph return story | ||
| Falloutnl |
I still have a chip on my shoulder when I walk into a dealer, lol. Anytime a salesman catches my eye looking at a Sportster I say if the only had a Buell engine and handling. LOL Good man. | ||
| Steveford |
It looks like the head guy at Norton was playing fast and loose with the money. Lots of irate people lost their shirts, some sort of scheme involving people's pensions being invested in Norton stock. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jan/30/t aken-for-a-ride-how-norton-motorcycles-collapsed-a mid-acrimony-and-scandal | ||
| Bsanorton |
Wouldn't it be great if Kenny Dreer had an opportunity to take the name back? | ||
| Steveford |
You can never tell how these things will work out but I suspect Mr. Dreer is happily enjoying his semi-retirement. I would like to see Triumph pick them up but that's probably even less likely. They seem to be going great guns with their new water cooled twin line up. That new Thruxton really looks like a winner. | ||
| Captainkirk |
After it's off this time, screw a 90* fitting in the hole for next time and cap the end of that fitting. It's usually enough to clear the muffler, or you can even put a hose on it. Do this and you lose the magnet on the tip of the drain plug. You'll have nothing to capture your detent plate clip when (not if) it breaks. |
