Sump Plug Issues.

[Dave70]

So....I went to change the oil on my R125 this morning but, the sump plug bolt wouldn't budge. I spent a good while and gave it plenty of force but it wasn't going anywhere.

I decided to call it a day as the bolt has started rounding off (seems to be made of cheese btw) and I was running out of swear words to call it, as well as skin on my fingers.

Any tips on how to remove it without rounding it off more? Taking into consideration that I'm pretty new to this kind of thing

Although, I'm not too bothered about damaging it tbh, as I'm going to look around to see if I can find an aftermarket one that's made of stronger stuff. I just need to get the current one undone, so I can get the oil changed.

Also, if anyone can give me a heads up on some decent tools for carrying out some basic jobs on the bike, that would also help.

[ZebraDriver]

Make sure your turning it the right way!!! Remember it needs to turn anticlockwise, when viewed from under the bike.

[Dave70]

[nowhere.elysium]

Are you using an open-ended or ring spanner? If it's rounding off, it does rather suggest that you've got the wrong size of spanner on there, too.
Personally, I tend to find ring spanners are better for sump plugs and other bolts that you don't always have a clear line-of-sight to, because they typically get better purchase on the bolt head. An open-ended spanner can slip and move around a bit more freely, which is precisely what you don't want in this instance.
:edit: as to the 'not budging' issue, once you're 100% certain that you're trying to turn it in the correct direction, shock it with an impact; hit the spanner with a mallet, just to get it moving initially. However, if you do this in the wrong direction, it's new sump time.
____________________
'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[Easter Bunny]

Use a socket & rachet with long leverage
____________________
The light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train!

[Fowlersrs]

Use a socket set and use the right size (tightest) socket. Spanners will just slip, the longer the socket wrench the more leverage ul get on it too.

I would say heat it up to get it budged but oil is flammable and I don't want u to torch your bike so maybe not!!

[Dave70]

https://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z261/yearzer0/Sumpplugr125_zps82a96281.jpg
I've been using a ring spanner but, those protruding metal bits surrounding the actual bolt that you can see in the picture (not mine btw), prevent the socket from slipping all the way down onto the bolt. Maybe I'm using the wrong type of tool?

[nowhere.elysium]

That's a weird-looking sump plug. You sure it's the right bolt?
____________________
'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[Easter Bunny]

[Dave70]

[Polarbear]

Very weird. That looks like the sort of bolt that has an O ring in it. If that's the case it shouldn't be very tight at all. It should just be nipped up.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Pete.]

Yes it's the sump plug, they can get very tight.

You need a good 6-sided socket on that. If you have access to a grinder I would grind the socket end to get rid of the lead-in and give you maximum purchase on the hex.

You could also try going for a ride and getting the oil nice and hot, then applying a cloth fully of icy-cold water to the plug before quickly using the socket, but really a good-fitting socket will do it.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Codemonkey]

They do have an o ring. As suggested above, try a socket, I had no problems with them when I had an R125.
____________________
Test Passed 10/05/2011 Current bike: XJ6-N

[Musketeer]

[Teflon-Mike]

Start by eliminating the stooopid questions.

1/ the bolt you are trying to undo..... it IS the oil drain plug... isn't it?

I'm bot samiliar with the R125 engine, but makers can be quite cunning, hiding the sump plug, or offering tempting alternatives that you are going to THINK are the sump plug because they are where you think the sump plug should be... but are, gear-box detent-plunger spring bolts, or crank-case screws, or even, a hex shaped handling boss in the sump casting!

- DO YOU HAVE THE WORKSHOP MANUAL
- Have you identified the sump-plug in picture in the manual?
- Have you POSSITIVELY, tripple confirmed that bolt you have spanner on, is same one as they have arrowed in picture in the manual?

Lets just be certain about this... check again! Cant do any harm... could find the cause of the bludy problem.

2/ Sump-Plugs ought not be tightened up THAT seriously tight. If it ent coming undone, fairly easily, then there IS something not quite right. Think about it; it's not a bolt that is going to rust solid in its threads... it has lots of oil behind it to stop that happening. Its not a bolt that is holding tons of force on something, its just filling a hole so oil don't fall out.

With a decent socket of correct size, and proper access to the plugs head, then shouldn't take much to crack it off.

So, DO you have a decent socket? Do you have 'proper' access?

R125 does seem to be festooned with lots and lots of decorative plastic panels; and JUST a suggestion for you, but, have you removed everything that ought to be removed so that you have good access to the sump plug... or have you gone, "Pah! I can SEE that bolt... and that fairing has a gazillion screws to get it off... be easier to leave it alone... I CAN get a spanner in there between....."

THAT is the sort of thing that often causes problems, as you cant 'quite' get on the head, or get on it square, and when applying leverage not 'quite' square to the fastener you start rounding them rather than undoing them.

On which topic; R125 only has a side-stand, I believe... how you propping it it to get under the engine? Is bike wobbling about as you try and get spanner on plug?

If the bike's not so well supported, can become a three hand juggling act trying to hold bike still, while at the same time holding socket on plug, and running out of hands to turn it!

Could a mate, possibly just sitting on the bike to hold it up and still, be a help? Or a padock stand, or some similar improvised support?

BUT...

3/ The Rule of TEA.
When the thing is being a BITCH... go make tea.
Break the dead-lock battle of wills... go get refreshement. Wash hands before boiling kettle, so mum or missus dont moan about oily-finger prints.... have a fag (if you smoke, of course) go clean your tools.

Pretend, you dont care that bolt wont come undone... tidy up, clean up.....

Then... having de-stressed, and lulled the fastener into false sense of security that you have given up on it.... ATTACK!

Its actually not so daft; taking a break, you come back, and so often, spot whatever the problem really is straight off, as before you were so micro-focused on battling with that one screw-head, you completely missed it. Fresh eyes and second look can make a very big difference.

Washing your hands, cleaning and tidying tools.... again, when you go back, JUST having washed the oil of much of your hands, stops stuff slipping! Cleaning your tools; you get rid of bit of grit or flakey rust that was making stuff awkward.

Or, tidying up, you shift something, so its not proding you in the back, or your kneeling in a different spot...

Its a way of calming down, getting a fresh look, and making small 'changes' to the situation, that can help reveal and solve 'the problem' rather than getting into dead-lock.

ALWAYS remember the Rule of Tea.

First lesson in mechanicing... IS how to put the kettle on! Its THAT important.
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Easter Bunny]

When you finally get it out, I'd get one of these..................
https://www.yamahamotorcyclespares.co.uk/product/unbranded/1C0E53510000/plug,%20drain?uid=0
____________________
The light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train!

[Dave70]

[Dave70]

Aye Tef, I have the manual, its certainly the right bolt and as for making sure I have access. Well all the panels were off, as I was also stripping it down to clean it and give a good coat of ACF-50. Tbh, it's almost worth paying a mechanic to do this, as removing the fairings is the biggest pain about working on this bike.

The bike itself doesn't move around really as it's quite heavy relative to other 125's but, access is still a pain with it on the side stand. I do intend to get a paddock stand at some point though, along with better tools etc...it's all about the £££ s at the end of the day though.

[doggone]

A socket with pipe on the bar to extend it should loosen this.

[iooi]

Socket with ratchet driver.
Test on another easy to get at bolt to make sure it is undoing......
____________________
Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[stirlinggaz]

Hi,
this is exacty the sort of thing a breaker bar was invented for,
cheers,
GAZ

[CaNsA]

[stirlinggaz]

Hi,
Get a mate to sit on the bike, & then attach a DECENT socket or one of those Irwin gripper things to biggest breaker bar you can find/borrow/steal & it will crack open no problem.
Then dump the bolt & replace with standard sump with copper washer.
Job done,
Cheers,
GAZ

[_Iain_]

[kestrel]