QuestionI have found it impossible to torque the oil drain plug on my new 2009 Shadow Aero 750 due to it's location and, to be honest, I have never torqued the engine oil drain plug or the final drive oil filler plug on any of my Shadows in my life. Didn't even know that they were to be torqued on my VT500C which I bought used and with no manual (still got 327,000 miles out of that great bike until a guy ran a stop sign and killed it. How much umph should I use on this plug. Before, when it needed a change, usually on a long trip, I have just tightened the thing and given it a couple of medium tugs.
AnswerHi Joseph,
it sounds like you did well on your VT500
adjustments. The torque specs can sometimes
be a little high and do not account
for differences in tools, gaskets and
location of the drain plug.
My advice would be to watch the sealing
gaskets and just tighten enough to compress
the gasket a bit.
If you use a new gasket and check it later
it will tell you how much pressure you
applied.
The usual casings these drain plugs go into
are only an aluminum alloy and can
strip rather easily.
The factory can be a little optimistic
on the torque these casing threads can take.
After a few oil changes the threads can weaken.
They only need to be tight enough to prevent
oil leaks as they have no other function.
The wheel axles and parts that are load bearing
need some more specific torque applied for safety.
The oil drain gaskets are usually copper or
aluminum and will crush slightly as you
tighten them. They just need to be
pulled tight with a normal length wrench
or socket and then a hair more to crush the
washer. Check for leaks after it is warm.
Use your senses as you applied them to your VT500
maintenance and you will be okay.
Good luck!
Wayne S.
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