What ape do they employ to tighten filler caps at Mandello?

[Doppelgaenger]

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?

[Bill Hagan]

Actually, Piaggio has made Apes for years, but, this kind, named after the humble bee.  ;)







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 …







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.  ;)

[Doppelgaenger]

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."

[rodekyll]

That's the reason I always check the fill plug before I use the drain plug.

[normzone]

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.

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Put a little andy sez on the threads before you put it back in.

[Cam3512]

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. 

[Doppelgaenger]

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.

[Sasquatch Jim]

 bigga pan works mobetta.

[Vasco DG]

Fill plug should always be out first for quick drainage. 

No need, the gearbox has a breather.

[crc]

a single hex socket set is a good investment too, prevents a lot of slippage

[fotoguzzi]

I saw one of those in that Fiat ad with the Viagra pill.

[leafman60]

[redrider]

I always fret for a few miles after changing fluids along with crush washers. Copper ones are annealed and re-used. (Ah, strokers..)

[Nick]

Actually, Piaggio has made Apes for years, but, this kind, named after the humble bee.  ;)

Here is the cheap/no frills model  ;D

[nikwax]

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  ;)

[LaMojo]

I like the hand operated wiper.  Probably works better than the vacuum motors on my '40 chevy truck.

[BigDave in PA]

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.

[Guzzistajohn]

Pretty sure this is the guy