Damn oil filler cap! Help a lady out please.

quietssstorm · 03-18-2007, 07:42 PM

So, I'm in the carport. Got the radio going, 4qts of new oil, a new filter, every slider you can buy, shiney new tools, Eviloliv3's nifty pics of how to install sliders, and Mark Zimmerman's Motorcycle Maintanance book.

I wrestle Candi (Red, of course!) onto the center stand (Muchas gracias to archer10x.), warm'er up, and shut'er down. I go to unscrew the oil filler cap and the sucker won't budge! What the hell????

I read eightileven posts on how tight the drain plug and filter can be. Did I miss the section on the oil filler cap?

So I sez, I ain't no sinkin' girly wus. I'll install the frame sliders. Then, I can scratch and grunt and say I've done somethin'. Well, damn if I don't own the right size Allen wrench. How is it that a person can own 20 or so of those suckers, yet not have the one for the frame. Of course I said, "I bet it is in the OEM tool bag." Ha!

I did I screw everything up by not havin' a beer with me?
So, here goes:
1. How do I get the oil filler cap off?
2. How do I install fork sliders? No instructions came. The kit came with a really long threaded rod and I don't know how to use it. (No pun!) I have an email off to the sellor, but I'd love to hear from you because you teach me so much more.

OFFICER737 · 03-18-2007, 07:47 PM

Sometimes people over tighten the oil filler cap, my dealership is notoious for it. Sometimes I just take a pair of pliers and give it a lil twist to break the superman twist they put on it sometimes. Just make sure you are twisting in the proper direction.

On the sliders, the rod should just go thru the axle and the other slider screw right onto the rod and then tighten it down. Not sure if your axle is hollow or not though.

Tomowskifz6 · 03-18-2007, 08:12 PM

I used a crescent wrench to give me just a bit more torque after the idiots at the dealership tightened it to 30000 ft lbs. It's one more reason I don't let anybody touch my bike unless I have no other choice. I like the crescent wrench because there is less chance of marring the filler cap than if you use pliers and slip.

The Rayman · 03-18-2007, 08:21 PM

And DO NOT put 4 quarts of oil in it. It holds exactly 3.
2.96 Quarts with a new filter... to be exact.

FrednearBoston · 03-18-2007, 08:21 PM

put a cloth between the pliers and the cap and you shouldn't leave any marks

quietssstorm · 03-18-2007, 08:21 PM

On the sliders, the rod should just go thru the axle and the other slider screw right onto the rod and then tighten it down. Not sure if your axle is hollow or not though.[/quote]

Ok, this is what I am looking at in the kits.

The frame sliders came with bolts about 2-3" long.
The rear/swingarm sliders came with a bolt/rod about 8-" in length.
But the fork sliders come with a rod that is about 18" in length. Where the heck does this guy go, without sticking out from the sides of my bike. This doesn't look like it goes through an axle.

OFFICER737 · 03-18-2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quietssstorm

On the sliders, the rod should just go thru the axle and the other slider screw right onto the rod and then tighten it down. Not sure if your axle is hollow or not though.

Ok, this is what I am looking at in the kits.

The frame sliders came with bolts about 2-3" long.
The rear/swingarm sliders came with a bolt/rod about 8-" in length.
But the fork sliders come with a rod that is about 18" in length. Where the heck does this guy go, without sticking out from the sides of my bike. This doesn't look like it goes through an axle.[/quote]

That's a pretty damn long fork bolt!! Not sure on that one then.

quietssstorm · 03-18-2007, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrednearBoston

put a cloth between the pliers and the cap and you shouldn't leave any marks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomowskifz6

I used a crescent wrench to give me just a bit more torque after the idiots at the dealership tightened it to 30000 ft lbs. It's one more reason I don't let anybody touch my bike unless I have no other choice. I like the crescent wrench because there is less chance of marring the filler cap than if you use pliers and slip.

I was wondering how to avoid damage and marks. Thanks.

jim schmidt · 03-18-2007, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomowskifz6

I used a crescent wrench to give me just a bit more torque after the idiots at the dealership tightened it to 30000 ft lbs. It's one more reason I don't let anybody touch my bike unless I have no other choice. I like the crescent wrench because there is less chance of marring the filler cap than if you use pliers and slip.

+1. Also known as an adjustable wrench. My father would rise from his grave and slap the shit out of me if I ever used a pair of pliers on a screw or nut. That said, I'm sure pliers would work too; I've just been brainwashed never to use them for that.

OFFICER737 · 03-18-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim schmidt

+1. Also known as an adjustable wrench. My father would rise from his grave and slap the shit out of me if I ever used a pair of pliers on a screw or nut. That said, I'm sure pliers would work too; I've just been brainwashed never to use them for that.

I wouldn't use pliers on them either but figure it's just the oil fill cap and not the oil drain plug.

quietssstorm · 03-18-2007, 08:43 PM

I am trying to post a picture of the kit. The rod is in the upper portion of the bag, next to the oil (used for size reference).

jim schmidt · 03-18-2007, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quietssstorm

I am trying to post a picture of the kit. The rod is in the upper portion of the bag, next to the oil (used for size reference).

that rod will go through the hole in the axle. The sliders will, well, slide onto it and you'll tighten the nuts over them. Any lock washers go on before the nuts.

The rod looks too long.