Broken/Seized Oil Drain Plug

[brokencycle]

So, I just bought an '05 XB9SX this winter. I went to do my first oil change on it, and the drain plug head snapped off. The rest of the plug is still in place - it isn't leaking.

Anyone have any ideas? I called an independent motorcycle shop and one Harley dealer, and neither work on Buell. I am planning on calling a dealer I'm told still works on Buell but I figure that is going to be pricey. Anyone have a better way of getting a completely seized drain plug out? Even if I did get it out, any idea where to get a new one?

 

[cpatt]

i no its best to fix it but you could just leave it...i mean if they tell you to replace the whole swing arm. and for an oil change just remove an oil line and drain it all out.

 

[chrispudd]

They should sell them at the Harley dealer. Contact your local bike repair shop/guy & let them remove it. Or if you know a good auto mechanic maybe he'll take it on. Personally, I'd try to drill into it with a left hand bit. It may bite enough and just come out. If not, keep drilling through and use an e-z out.
Bummer for sure. Hope you get it sorted out.

 

[mowgoli84]

my brother had this same issue with one of his bikes. E-z out saves lives.

 

[Rhino1]

...any competent independent shop will do it cheaper than a dealership. You don't need a "Buell specific" shop to do it. Stripped drain plugs and the commensurate fixes are as old as the internal combustion engine. I'm surprised you didn't stir up a good ol' fashion argument of heli-coil versus oversized plug...

 

[Lesley]

I went to do my first oil change on it, and the drain plug head snapped off. The rest of the plug is still in place - it isn't leaking.

Is there any way a fellow who had good welding skills could tack a bolt with a head onto the existing one(same direction) still on the motor? If so, just the heat from that should help loosen it. If that works you can always buy a new plug afterward. [up] Good luck

 

[brokencycle]

If it happened back in my home town, I'm sure my stepdad could have done it.

Unfortunately, like I said, most places here (Minneapolis) including some HD dealers won't touch Buells. Regardless of the fact that it is a seized bolt. They go "nope don't touch that."

Anyone on this forum from the area and have a good place to recommend?

 

[uly luigi]

I hate to say this, but, if the head of the drain plug snapped off, I'll bet the PO epoxied the plug into the swingarm after stripping the threads off, so, even if you do get the old one out you will probly have to repair/rethread oversized anyway, any decent moto shop should be able to handle it for you, don't let them take the swingarm off, it can be done on the bike.

 

[brokencycle]

I took it to the one HD dealer who will work on Buells. They are going to just do the oil change and everything after they fix it (I rather not have to do the oil change in their parking lot).

The dealer said it was likely just over tightening, and it is a somewhat common occurrence although normally the bolt gets stripped rather than the head breaking off.

Now I get to wait until Wednesday or so.