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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Doppelgaenger on February 18, 2015, 01:57:03 PM

Title: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: Doppelgaenger on February 18, 2015, 01:57:03 PM: Yesterday I completed the 13k mile service on my Breva 1100... but man was that transmission filler cap a pain to take off. I ended up using a hardened 8mm impact screwdriver bit stepped up to a 1/2 inch drive rachet to get it off after I ruined a few lesser tools in the process.

Is this a common occurence with anyone else's bike? what other items on these bikes are tightened so such massive torques?
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: Bill Hagan on February 18, 2015, 02:37:18 PM: Actually, Piaggio has made Apes for years, but, this kind, named after the humble bee. ;)

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Piaggio_Vespacar_APE_P400V_MPF.dsc01304.jpg)

But, I, too, wondered about why my transmission fill plug was seemingly welded tight, tho it was a prior service, not a Mandellan -- or, more likely, just who did it the last time.

But, as soon as I saw how tight the foxtrotter was, I got out the Tool for All Seasons …

(http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_14234.jpg)

Then $9.95, now $3 more, I love it. Some of the reviews here are a hoot: http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-25-in-breaker-bar-67933.html

Would like to have a vintage Ape, but that would be a first-class money pit within a week.

Bill

Edited to add that, upon reflection, it may be that no ape overtightened yours or mine -- tho it was still fun to defeat the guy with that breaker bar; makes me feel as if I've accomplished something with a tool. ;D

Perhaps this is just a product of metallurgical processes over time, with varying temperatures and moisture helping that along? The plug is steel; the casing, aluminum. In my case, maybe I or a tech got lazy in a previous change-out and reused the crush washer? Saved 25 cents. ;)
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: Doppelgaenger on February 18, 2015, 03:21:39 PM: hmm I didn't even think of my breaker bar even tho I have one... dumbass move.

Still, when the cap let go I immediately said "Ok, which tool broke."
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: rodekyll on February 18, 2015, 03:24:13 PM: That's the reason I always check the fill plug before I use the drain plug.
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: normzone on February 18, 2015, 03:26:17 PM: OOH, that's good advice, thank you. Yeah, my fill plug is why I bought one of those bars, although I've not tried it yet.
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: Sasquatch Jim on February 18, 2015, 06:53:33 PM: Put a little andy sez on the threads before you put it back in.
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: Cam3512 on February 18, 2015, 08:26:02 PM: Quote from: rodekyll on February 18, 2015, 03:24:13 PM
That's the reason I always check the fill plug before I use the drain plug.

Fill plug should always be out first for quick drainage.
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: Doppelgaenger on February 18, 2015, 09:22:08 PM: btw when you do change your transmission oil just make a chute into your catch pan out of aluminum foil or else you'll have to take a bunch of parts off your bike just to get to the drain and catch the oil without making a huge mess.
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: Sasquatch Jim on February 18, 2015, 11:46:46 PM: bigga pan works mobetta.
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: Vasco DG on February 19, 2015, 12:59:37 AM: Quote from: Cam3512 on February 18, 2015, 08:26:02 PM
Fill plug should always be out first for quick drainage.

No need, the gearbox has a breather.
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: crc on February 19, 2015, 02:12:46 AM: a single hex socket set is a good investment too, prevents a lot of slippage
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: fotoguzzi on February 19, 2015, 07:08:58 AM: Quote from: Bill Hagan on February 18, 2015, 02:37:18 PM

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Piaggio_Vespacar_APE_P400V_MPF.dsc01304.jpg)

I saw one of those in that Fiat ad with the Viagra pill.
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: leafman60 on February 19, 2015, 07:55:43 AM: (http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/leafman60/Europe%202014/IMG_2419.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/leafman60/media/Europe%202014/IMG_2419.jpg.html)

(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/leafman60/Europe%202014/IMG_2422.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/leafman60/media/Europe%202014/IMG_2422.jpg.html)
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: redrider on February 19, 2015, 05:28:53 PM: I always fret for a few miles after changing fluids along with crush washers. Copper ones are annealed and re-used. (Ah, strokers..)
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: Nick on February 19, 2015, 05:54:01 PM: Quote from: Bill Hagan on February 18, 2015, 02:37:18 PM
Actually, Piaggio has made Apes for years, but, this kind, named after the humble bee. ;)

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Piaggio_Vespacar_APE_P400V_MPF.dsc01304.jpg)

Here is the cheap/no frills model ;D
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s180/ndicroce/DSC02526_zps801115c5.jpg) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/ndicroce/media/DSC02526_zps801115c5.jpg.html)

(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s180/ndicroce/DSC02527_zpsfffb1d4e.jpg) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/ndicroce/media/DSC02527_zpsfffb1d4e.jpg.html)
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: nikwax on February 19, 2015, 06:39:19 PM: Quote from: pokeyjoe on February 18, 2015, 09:17:01 PM
Guido put loctite on

I could swear that loctite has never been used in the MG factory...or maybe they were just out when they were building my bike ;)
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: LaMojo on February 19, 2015, 08:48:34 PM: I like the hand operated wiper. Probably works better than the vacuum motors on my '40 chevy truck.
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: BigDave in PA on February 20, 2015, 04:00:09 AM: Quote from: LaMojo on February 19, 2015, 08:48:34 PM
I like the hand operated wiper. Probably works better than the vacuum motors on my '40 chevy truck.

They were called "vacuum wipers" because they sucked.
Title: Re: What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?
Post by: Guzzistajohn on February 20, 2015, 05:27:30 AM: Pretty sure this is the guy
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag65/guzzistajohn/monkeyballs_zps47a381d3.jpg) (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/guzzistajohn/media/monkeyballs_zps47a381d3.jpg.html)