Oil Pan replacement

[Firehawk068]

New Oil Pump pickup Screen arrived yesterday (Thanks Randy!)

I'll get some more work done on it tomorrow.

[Firehawk068]

After more closely inspecting the spare oil pan that I got, I found this! 

The drain plug threads in and tightens normally, but I just didn't want to chance swapping this pan on and then run into drain-plug issues in the future.................

On to "Plan-B"

[racerrad8]

Heli-Coil or replacement?

http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Engine%3AOilPan

Randy - RPM

[Firehawk068]

I decided to use my original pan that I took off the engine, since the hole was already messed up in the first place.

Bought a 9/16" drill bit, and a new M16x1.5 Drain Plug from Napa.
Borrowed a M16x1.5 Thread Tap from work.

Since the original 14mm hole was already oversized and stripped out, it took about 3 seconds to drill it to 9/16"

I lubed up the Tap with plenty of oil, and it cut through the Pan like soft-butter!

The hardest part of this whole fix-project was cleaning all the old gasket material off of the Pan, and its mounting surfaces on the Engine.
After that, I pressure-washed the Pan and then dried it with compressed-air.

I am extremely happy with the results! New threads and a clean Pan, ready to go back on the Engine..............

[racerrad8]

I decided to use my original pan that I took off the engine, since the hole was already messed up in the first place.

I lubed up the Tap with plenty of oil, and it cut through the Pan like soft-butter.

I am extremely happy with the results! New threads and a clean Pan, ready to go back on the Engine..............

Excellent repair.

Just remember, you still don't have full circumference threads for the plug when tightening.

Randy - RPM

[Firehawk068]

Yes, this is always in my mind.
At least now it is back to being close to OEM strength.

[Firehawk068]

Engine surface cleaned, and Pan put back where it belongs using all new gaskets and o-rings.

While I had the exhaust system off, I gave the pipes some extra attention.
After fitting all of the exhaust back on the bike, and filling it with oil, I started it up and while it was warming up I checked for any leaks.
After that I gave it a much-needed wash.
I dried it off, then took it for a spin around the block a few times. This was the first time I have ridden it since August, when I parked it after the Trip with Cap'n Ron!
Feels great to have her running again 

[andyoutandabout]

Ah yes oil pans. Puts me in mind of the night before the 2017 WCR.............