V7 Dipstick Safety

[pehayes]

Daughter-in-law has a V7 (2013?).  Twice has had the dipstick come unscrewed and spew oil over foot and rear of bike.  I read of some bodge safety repairs.  Can some of  you post images of said repairs that we might duplicate?

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[73 sport]

  I've drilled and safety wired all metal fill and drain plugs on my bike.

[Kev m]

Daughter-in-law has a V7 (2013?).  Twice has had the dipstick come unscrewed and spew oil over foot and rear of bike.  I read of some bodge safety repairs.  Can some of  you post images of said repairs that we might duplicate?

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

I've had a 2013 since new.

Never has this happened.

Why?

I posit that I always make sure that the O-ring is in place and that I tighten the stick securely with a 3d printed wrench. It won't budge after tightening it with a tool. Or at least hasn't in nearly 12 years.

[Dharma Bum]

I have one of these and always tighten it with a gloved hand. No problems to date.

[Bulldog9]

The V7 dipstick can be difficult to tighten given it's size and location. Even with strong hands. Same is true for removing.  There are a few vendors who sell at tool to help with this. https://www.ebay.com/itm/184368725406

If it keeps coming loose, it may need a new o-ring, but I think if she used a tool like this and added it to her kit she would be fine.

But in the end, this is in the basic PCC/PCI pre-ride check category along with lights, tire pressure, horn, etc. for me.

[Tom H]

As Kev M mentioned. There is a plastic key fob sized wrench that can be 3D printed. There is also a socket, but I snapped the socket removing a dipstick. The wrench works fine. Just gives you more leverage and doesn't scratch like pliers.

I think this is the one my friend printed for me.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3992120

Tom

[chuck peterson]

Larger thicker oring was the solution back then

[9fingers]

peHayes, if she is hand tightening it, without the special tool, she is not getting it tight enough. I have a spare tool, since I just traded my V7III for a new V7 Corsa, and they have done away with the dreaded pattern. If she lives in the states I will mail it to her if you like. Regards, Scott

[sign216]

  I've drilled and safety wired all metal fill and drain plugs on my bike.

The cap rotating out is a known issue for the V7.  I added a loop to the cap and wire it in place.

[Big-Dave]

The difference a new O ring makes is amazing but they flatten out. Buy them in bulk for cheap on ebay or similar. Size 28.24mmx2.62mm

[Kev m]

Or, and I'm just gonna throw this out one more time.... Just actually tighten the thing. That's it. That's all it really takes. Use a tool. You'll be glad you did.

[Kiwi_Roy]

I bought a plastic wrench out of Australia made on a 3D printer.
better than using a pair of channel locks
It has my phone number printed on it
https://ibb.co/98JwW2N

[Vagrant]

On the few bikes that do this, it is not the tightness!!!
Replace the O ring with one that sits at least 10% higher than the edge of the cap.
Now just for an additional safety measure you can drill a hole from 7 O'clock to 2 and put in a hitch pin clip.
That way should it start to back out the long end of the clip will hit the crank case and stop it.
Note they just did away with the groove and O ring on the V85's and they don't come out.

[Kev m]

On the few bikes that do this, it is not the tightness!!!
Replace the O ring with one that sits at least 10% higher than the edge of the cap.
Now just for an additional safety measure you can drill a hole from 7 O'clock to 2 and put in a hitch pin clip.
That way should it start to back out the long end of the clip will hit the crank case and stop it.
Note they just did away with the groove and O ring on the V85's and they don't come out.

Or, and I mean this, just F'n tighten it.

It obviously IS the tightness as the thickness of the O-ring has an effect on that.

Or leaving it too loose so that vibration can allow it to loosen further.

But 12 years later, gasp, that's not been an issue on either of mine.

Why?


Not because I drilled the cap and put on a clip, because I didn't.

Not because I sourced a different O-ring, because I didn't.

But because, like gawd himself intended, I just tightened the damn thing.

It's not rocket brain surgery. I swear I'm surprised no one here has mentioned cleaning the threads and applying red Loctite yet.

PS others I know had this issue, and they learned to TIGHTEN IT and never had the issue again.

[slowmover]

I had one fly out and I never found it on an expressway.Now I got the pin through it. Anything you tighten can come a-loose.

[Vagrant]

The first time I had it happen on my 2016 I blamed myself. The next time there was no doubt it was tight enough crack it had I gone tighter.

[Bulldog9]

Or, and I mean this, just F'n tighten it.

It obviously IS the tightness as the thickness of the O-ring has an effect on that.

Or leaving it too loose so that vibration can allow it to loosen further.

But 12 years later, gasp, that's not been an issue on either of mine.

Why?


Not because I drilled the cap and put on a clip, because I didn't.

Not because I sourced a different O-ring, because I didn't.

But because, like gawd himself intended, I just tightened the damn thing.

It's not rocket brain surgery. I swear I'm surprised no one here has mentioned cleaning the threads and applying red Loctite yet.

PS others I know had this issue, and they learned to TIGHTEN IT and never had the issue again.

I THINK the point is even when tightened, it can come loose.  In my mind this should be added to the pre ride check. Whats that dumb Acronym they teach in MSF? TCLOCKS?

Using some military lingo, PCC/PCI - Pre Combat Check/Inspection. Just part of what you do before each ride. If it comes loose during a ride, then CHECK it at every fuel stop...

[Kev m]

I THINK the point is even when tightened, it can come loose.  In my mind this should be added to the pre ride check. Whats that dumb Acronym they teach in MSF? TCLOCKS?

Using some military lingo, PCC/PCI - Pre Combat Check/Inspection. Just part of what you do before each ride. If it comes loose during a ride, then CHECK it at every fuel stop...

I'll let you know if that happens to me in the second decade of riding one...

[Bulldog9]

I'll let you know if that happens to me in the second decade of riding one...

LOL you kill be brother...... I too have never had mine loosen on my V7. I don't even use a tool, just my hands, but if I found it was coming loose on occasion, I WOULD CHECK IT.......... Capiche? 

[Moparnut72]

I have never had the filler plug come loose but the drain plug was finger tight when I changed oil at 4,000 miles. The dealership was the last one to touch it at 900 miles.
kk

[Off @ 90]

I had a dipstick blow out never found it joined the oily left foot club . Always gave it a tighten with smooth jaw knipex pliers too .  A Honda CB350 (1980s) dipstick solid aluminum fits  same thread just re mark the high level and also safety wired this too no more issues .

[V7Record]

I had mine come loose on my 2013 years ago.  Drenched my boot in oil before I noticed but didn't come all the way so not lost.  I thought mine was plenty tight at the time.  I bought one of the keychain 3-D printed wrenches from Australia and keep it tight. It's a bitch to open, especially if the engine is hot/warm (when you're supposed to check the oil per the manual).  Maybe I'll drill mine and use a hitch clip so I don't have to crank on it.

[sign216]

I had mine come loose on my 2013 years ago.  Drenched my boot in oil before I noticed but didn't come all the way so not lost.  I thought mine was plenty tight at the time.  I bought one of the keychain 3-D printed wrenches from Australia and keep it tight. It's a bitch to open, especially if the engine is hot/warm (when you're supposed to check the oil per the manual).  Maybe I'll drill mine and use a hitch clip so I don't have to crank on it.

That's what I did; drilled the cap, added a metal loop, and wire it in place.  All those racers can't be wrong....

[9fingers]

peHayes, if she is hand tightening it, without the special tool, she is not getting it tight enough. I have a spare tool, since I just traded my V7III for a new V7 Corsa, and they have done away with the dreaded pattern. If she lives in the states I will mail it to her if you like. Regards, Scott

pehayes, I mailed the dipstick tool today. Also, for those that may want to know, the new 20204 V7 no longer has a dipstick, just the sight glass on the right side.

[ridingron]

pehayes, I mailed the dipstick tool today. Also, for those that may want to know, the new 2024 V7 no longer has a dipstick, just the sight glass on the right side.

This!!

The person mentioned was his daughter in law. I would say most men have more hand strength than most women. And they're getting loose on the men's bike.

Do it the worry free way and use a wrench.     Why wasn't it a hex nut or vertical flange, like on the newer motors, from the start? And yes, I have seen a printed tool with a "+" slot in it for the new motors.

[sib]

I had it happen once on my first MG, a V7(I) back in 2013.  Ever since, i've used a smallish Channel-lock-type wrench to snug it up just a bit after hand tightening.  It's never happened again.

[bad Chad]

I use a half inch torque wrench to 90Lb, still comes lose.