hi, i had a allen key that i used every fall to open and drain my oil from my monster, but i can't find it this year...and don't recall the size of the old one that i need to replace.
any help would be much appreciated.
10 mm
+1
I don't know if it's the same on the newer Monsters, but on the older models the drain plug is a little bit bigger than 10mm.
If this is the case with yours, it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the bolt with a more common size (because you'll never find a 10.5 allen wrench).
Also, a good tip is to put the magnet on the outside and not the inside. I just talked to a guy who had the magnet on his old bolt break off and was loose inside the engine.
Quotebut on the older models the drain plug is a little bit bigger than 10mm.
That means yours is worn and you need a new one, they
are 10mm.
Always clean it & be thorough when loosen/fasten it.
Since this thread may come up in a search - I'll share the tip I saw - I think - in DesmoTimes's manual -
if the hex wrench fit is loose you can oil & sand the wrench to achieve a tighter fit.
The drain plug on my old monster has been in and out a good 20+ times and is still fine. The "10.5 mm." feel is because the hex starts larger and tapers down. If you get the wrench in all the way and maintain upward pressure you will be fine.
Quote from: howie on November 28, 2009, 03:05:53 AM
The drain plug on my old monster has been in and out a good 20+ times and is still fine. The "10.5 mm." feel is because the hex starts larger and tapers down. If you get the wrench in all the way and maintain upward pressure you will be fine.
Even Chris Kelly says it's a "not quite 10mm hex ... it fits it, but not quite perfectly."
Ducatitech.com "HowTo" Ducati Oil Change (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqiOrzM4nvA#normal)
It's still 10 mm
Quote from: ducpainter on November 28, 2009, 10:22:52 AM
It's still 10 mm
+1
My 10mm Craftsman allen driver has done at least 100 oil changes, never failed.
I suppose you could grind down a 7/16" for a *perfect* fit, but IMO not worth the time.
QuoteIt's still 10 mm
+1.
Bought a new one once, 10mm Allen fits real good.
As said before clean & keep upward pressure and you should have no problem.
And do not over tighten.
10mm but a little loose on mine too. Only had one oil change before I got to it so I think it's always been like that. Just make sure you seat the allen in the drain bolt completely before you trun it. If you don't you may open it up even more and eventually strip it. My guess is it is sand cast which makes it both slightly tapered and not a perfect fit.
Scott
+1 on the loose fit for 10mm. If I bought a new plug, wouldn't it also be the same loose fit as the plug I have? Is there an option to buy a 10mm plug as opposed to the 10.5mm one?
Does it really matter?
Quote from: MrIncredible on December 07, 2009, 11:14:01 AM
Does it really matter?
I think so.
Especially if you have an older model that's had a lot of oil changes in its lifetime. Even if you're careful, the 10.5mm bolt opening begins to get bent out of shape after a few years.
Can't you just go to 11?
(http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/spinal_tap_amps.png)
8)
People...
Ducati makes one plug.
It takes a 10 mm allen wrench.
It is kind of tapered.
If you seat the wrench to the bottom it is not an issue.
I suppose if it just bugs you too much to have a tapered 10.5 mm allen key drain plug you could always trade it for something like this:
(http://www.drdesmo.com/drain1.jpg)
http://www.drdesmo.com/magdran.htm (http://www.drdesmo.com/magdran.htm)
Quote from: Dietrich on December 07, 2009, 01:33:24 PM
I suppose if it just bugs you too much to have a tapered 10.5 mm allen key drain plug you could always trade it for something like this:
(http://www.drdesmo.com/drain1.jpg)
http://www.drdesmo.com/magdran.htm (http://www.drdesmo.com/magdran.htm)
Or...
you could whine. ;D
I agree with everyone -- it would be a good idea to replace the 10.5mm plug with a regular-sized plug.
[thumbsup]
Quote from: Michael on December 07, 2009, 01:54:57 PM
I agree with everyone -- it would be a good idea to replace the 10.5mm plug with a regular-sized plug.
[thumbsup]
I truly don't give a shit but will comment so that this thread doesn't die for the following reasons:
1.) it seems to be annoying DP, and
2.) ITS A make the beast with two backsING 10 MM ALLEN
and to the above comment -- I'm not sure who the everyone your agreeing with is but its 10mm and you don't need to waste your money
I'm tired of using tools when I change my oil. I'm gonna get one of these petcock oil drain valves.
http://www.fumotousa.com/ (http://www.fumotousa.com/)
Yeah... I said it... PETCOCK!!!
Quote from: rule62 on December 07, 2009, 06:55:53 PM
I'm tired of using tools when I change my oil. I'm gonna get one of these petcock oil drain valves.
http://www.fumotousa.com/ (http://www.fumotousa.com/)
Yeah... I said it... PETCOCK!!!
Oh, I have one of those. It's great. It drags on the road while I drive, but it's worth it.
I have the N-Series model with the extra nipple.
(http://www.fumotousa.com/images/valveanimation.gif)
Quote from: rule62 on December 07, 2009, 06:55:53 PM
I'm tired of using tools when I change my oil. I'm gonna get one of these petcock oil drain valves.
http://www.fumotousa.com/ (http://www.fumotousa.com/)
Gosh that home page about made me cry....they're draining perfectly good oil! It's crystal clear!!! Good for at least another few thousand miles. :'( :'(
Did Michael just say he has an extra nipple that drags on the ground?
Quote from: rule62 on December 07, 2009, 06:55:53 PM
I'm tired of using tools when I change my oil. I'm gonna get one of these petcock oil drain valves.
http://www.fumotousa.com/ (http://www.fumotousa.com/)
Yeah... I said it... PETCOCK!!!
That reminds me, I need to order one of these for the Monster:
(http://image.carcraft.com/f/9301730+w750+st0/p122370_image_large.jpg)
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/oil_change_tips/index.html (http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/oil_change_tips/index.html)
I already have several on other vehicles and I have the female bit. Cleanest oil changes ever.
Who knows what the thread/pitch is on the drain plug?
I seriously hope that I am missing the sarcasm
Quote from: dlearl476 on December 10, 2009, 11:07:33 AM
That reminds me, I need to order one of these for the Monster:
(http://image.carcraft.com/f/9301730+w750+st0/p122370_image_large.jpg)
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/oil_change_tips/index.html (http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/oil_change_tips/index.html)
I already have several on other vehicles and I have the female bit. Cleanest oil changes ever.
Who knows what the thread/pitch is on the drain plug?
I have one similar to that, mine attaches to our garden hose.
I simply drain the oil into the hose, detach the hose, and then turn on the water to clean the oil out of the hose.
It's a self-cleaning genius idea.
And whenever I need to put water into the engine, I've already got the hook-up!
[thumbsup]
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]
BTW, my drain plug is 10.23 mm, so I guess Ducati made several sizes. ;D
Quote from: Michael on December 10, 2009, 12:38:48 PM
I have one similar to that, mine attaches to our garden hose.
I simply drain the oil into the hose, detach the hose, and then turn on the water to clean the oil out of the hose.
It's a self-cleaning genius idea.
And whenever I need to put water into the engine, I've already got the hook-up!
[thumbsup]
You have a female bit that attaches to a garden hose?? ;D
On my S4 Mine has been off 8 times each time put back with new crush washer and torqued it has now stripped the 10mm hex and is being a bugger to remove , tried easyout and cold chisel no luck yet have got a DrDesmo replacment and will fit same to all my Ducatis before this nightmare happens again...
oh yes some Ducatid use a 12mmHex ,mostly pree 2000 models my M750 has 12mm hex
it's actually a 13/32" hex
Quote from: ducatiz on December 11, 2009, 03:18:42 AM
it's actually a 13/32" hex
Is it really?
Do you know of anywhere that would sell such a sized tool? I've been searching with no luck.
Michael buddy that was a joke there are no inch bolts on your bike!
Quote from: ducatiz on December 11, 2009, 07:56:12 AM
Michael buddy that was a joke there are no inch bolts on your bike!
Seriously though, it would fit. And nicely.
Quote from: Michael on December 11, 2009, 08:19:40 AM
Seriously though, it would fit. And nicely.
i doubt you can find that size, SAE hex/allen wrenches are all standardized on 1/8" increments (IIRC)
If you can actually find a 13/32 allen, the metric equivalent would be 10.3188 mm.
Quote from: howie on December 11, 2009, 02:36:48 PM
If you can actually find a 13/32 allen, the metric equivalent would be 10.3188 mm.
right, just a tad bigger than 10mm! :D
Let's all Rube Goldberg it.
Want the easy solution if you have trouble with the stupid thing? Remove it, cut off a piece of 10MM allen, weld it in place to the plug, then for the rest of your days, use a socket to grab the allen.
Criminy.
Quote from: MrIncredible on December 13, 2009, 12:26:55 PM
Let's all Rube Goldberg it.
Want the easy solution if you have trouble with the stupid thing? Remove it, cut off a piece of 10MM allen, weld it in place to the plug, then for the rest of your days, use a socket to grab the allen.
Criminy.
So if you can't weld...(personally I'd braze this one as the plug is brass).
The hex head plugs aren't a bad alternative...no?
Quote from: ducpainter on December 13, 2009, 12:44:40 PM
So if you can't weld...(personally I'd braze this one as the plug is brass).
The hex head plugs aren't a bad alternative...no?
Meh-I've never had trouble getting any of them undone. Never even
noticed an issue.
If someone was that desperate, and they had a winter, send me the plug-I'll do it-free.
Quote from: MrIncredible on December 13, 2009, 02:28:02 PM
Meh-I've never had trouble getting any of them undone. Never even noticed an issue.
If someone was that desperate, and they had a winter, send me the plug-I'll do it-free.
That wasn't the question...
Quote from: ducpainter on December 13, 2009, 02:32:50 PM
That wasn't the question...
You should've been an engineer. ;)
Fine-the aftermarket ones are a perfectly valid alternative if one can't weld, though I imagine you could use epoxy in it's place.
I still don't see how this many people are having difficulty.
Quote from: MrIncredible on December 13, 2009, 04:57:12 PM
I still don't see how this many people are having difficulty.
a totally different question. ;D
This has been an entertaining thread. I do notice that my 10mm does not snug tight in the bolt as I would like most of my tools to fit hardware. I'll probably try the sand/oil trick next time, but the bolt didn't strip or anything. I am enjoying this conversation, though. [clap] [popcorn]
Quote from: MrIncredible on December 13, 2009, 04:57:12 PM
I still don't see how this many people are having difficulty.
Everyone agrees that the OEM drain plug is a little bigger than 10mm, but a 10mm tool is what you always use.
And only a few people ever run into the "Oh crap, my drain plug is so warn that the 10mm hex won't work anymore."
The idea is to prevent that.
So, for us older monster guys, with a warn down, original drain plug that's seen many oil changes, it's a good idea to replace the OEM 10.x mm bolt with something else as a step of preventative maintenance.
How about a threaded tube that goes from the oil drain hole to the oil fill cap hole. What thread pitch are they. Maybe a used oil cooler hose from eBay with a different fitting. Then instead of ever having to drain the oil, it would just be re-filled automatically.
Quote from: rule62 on December 14, 2009, 09:57:53 AM
How about a threaded tube that goes from the oil drain hole to the oil fill cap hole. What thread pitch are they. Maybe a used oil cooler hose from eBay with a different fitting. Then instead of ever having to drain the oil, it would just be re-filled automatically.
???
Or maybe a hook-up to your extra nipple, you know... the one that scrapes on the ground. Perhaps you could route it to the breather valve or the airbox. Then the used oil could be filtered back through the top of the engine to keep your throttle bodies lubed.
</threadjack>
So, a few pages back, Dietrich posted about an alternative drain plug.
I'd like to buy that, but there's no way to buy from that guy's website.
Not to mention, that guy's site is so ugly, it made me nauseous just browsing for a few moments.
http://www.drdesmo.com/ (http://www.drdesmo.com/)
That website is so ugly, it must have fallen out of the ugly tree and hit every branch!
That website is so ugly, that when it went to the zoo, the guard said: "Thanks for bringing it back."
That website is so ugly, that when it was born, the doctor slapped its mama.
(http://www.drdesmo.com/drain1.jpg)
How about you look at our sponsor's offerings?
One of them has a drainplug just like that.
Ummm.... How long before the corners of that aluminum nut round off? Longer or shorter than the original allen plug? I guess you can at least get a Vice-Grip on it then.
Scott
Michael -
With all your internet savy I'm sure you could find at least half a dozen drain bolt options before slamming all over a Ducati parts website (I have no affiliation.....).
+1 on checking out supporting vendors offerings.
Also saw this one today on fleabay, looks to be a billet version of the stocker:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-SPORT-CLASSIC-CASUNO-SAFETY-WIRE-MAG-DRAIN-PLUG_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3357f1d7f5QQitemZ220518799349QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-SPORT-CLASSIC-CASUNO-SAFETY-WIRE-MAG-DRAIN-PLUG_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3357f1d7f5QQitemZ220518799349QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)
Quote from: Speeddog on December 14, 2009, 12:28:45 PM
How about you look at our sponsor's offerings?
One of them has a drainplug just like that.
One of them?
Well, after some "internet savvy" searching, I think Moto Wheels is the
one to which Speeddog is referring.
Click here
(http://www.motowheels.com/italian/images%5Clg345212642.jpg) (http://www.motowheels.com/italian/mySearchResult.cfm?parentcategoryid=&productID=1924&showDetail=1&categoryID=457%7CMH900e%20Billet&vendoridtodisplay=0&filterFor=oil%20plug&collection=)
And here is a picture of it on someone's bike.
(http://woody-racing.com/drainplug.jpg)
OMG... that drain plug can't be any good. Don't you see... there's no oil in that bike!!!
Quote from: Dietrich on December 14, 2009, 01:29:35 PM
Michael -
With all your internet savy I'm sure you could find at least half a dozen drain bolt options before slamming all over a Ducati parts website (I have no affiliation.....).
he didn't really slam the dealer, just their website design.. and you know what? that make the beast with two backsing sight gave me a headache. his products are GREAT but looking at his website was like being a victim in "Scanners"
note to world: backgrounds should not be red or bright green or yellow. it causes epilepsy.