Stripped radiator drain bolt on Streetfighter... anyone know the size?

[thought]

Hey guys,

Well, I sat down flush and refill my sf with engine ice today in order to find out that the PO stripped the hell out of the radiator drain bolt.

I'm going to pick up some kind of tool to try to get it out tomorrow or just hacksaw a slot into it to remove it (any suggestions here would be awesome too ) but my bigger question is... does anyone know what size screw this is?  I cant find it in the spare parts manual, the parts diagram doesnt give a part number for it.

I'm going to call the dealer tomorrow to see if they have any on hand, but I'm worried because I'll be doing my first trackday on 5/7 and I def need to get the current coolant out before then.

Temporarily I figure I can use the upper drain plug on the bottom and leave the stripped one on the top.

Thanks for any help in advance

[He Man]

you should know that extractors do not work well for stuck bolts.


just slot it and hang it out. watch out you dont want to rip the radiator off its mounts.

[Howie]

An alternative to the drain bolt is to remove a hose at the lowest point and flush.  Do your track day and deal with the bolt later.

[thought]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Howie, I dont think I can do that on the SF... the lower radiator is lower than the water pump. I'll take a look though and see if it's plausible.  Maybe I can vacuum it out of the lower rad somehow.

[ducpainter]

Is here no drain plug in the water pump cover?

On my SBK I drain it there to change over.

[thought]

There is one, but the SF has a lower and upper coolant radiator... the lower radiator sits lower than the water pump.

If I went that pulling the hose route, I would need to get some sort of vacuum in there to suck it out or I guess run enough water through to flush it.

Just called the dealer and they're going to look into how to get a new bolt.  Someone on the .ms board said that getting that bolt is going to be a huge hassle though as it doesnt have a part number, it just comes with the radiator :\

[ducpainter]

There is one, but the SF has a lower and upper coolant radiator... the lower radiator sits lower than the water pump.

If I went that pulling the hose route, I would need to get some sort of vacuum in there to suck it out or I guess run enough water through to flush it.

Just called the dealer and they're going to look into how to get a new bolt.  Someone on the .ms board said that getting that bolt is going to be a huge hassle though as it doesnt have a part number, it just comes with the radiator :\

I always flush mine with plenty of water. Draining won't get all the anti-freeze out.

[Howie]

I always flush mine with plenty of water. Draining won't get all the anti-freeze out.

Zakly. 

[thought]

Going to stop by the dealer today and have them see if they have the bolt on hand.

This is pretty annoying for something that should have been an easy job :\

[thought]

And in the end... vice grips are your friend. haha

Got it out, and we fit in another bolt with a bigger head so it wont strip out again.  Had to fit a washer under the fairing bolt to get some clearance but it should be fine.