Making a Magnetic Oil Drain Plug (Or How to Be Drunk Before 4:00)

Emerikol · 12-27-2016, 11:49 AM

I thought I would make a magnetic drain plug for the Hawk when I did the 500 mile oil change (that actually happened at 460 miles because I'm impatient). Hope this helps some other members get the wheels turning with a little extra protection.

Step 1: Open fridge and get out a cold Stella. Open it!
http://www.chinariders.net/attachmen...1&d=1482854735

Step 2: Drain the oil out of the Hawk and look for anything out of the ordinary. Take a drink of Stella, you've earned it!
http://www.chinariders.net/attachmen...1&d=1482854818

Step 3: Lament that you didn't wrap the exhaust near the airbox like MotoCheez says to. That calls for another drink of Stella...
http://www.chinariders.net/attachmen...1&d=1482854919

Step 4: Clean the oil drain bolt and put in in the drill press. I used an 11/64 drill bit for the magnet size I have. Where's that Stella? You know what happens next.
http://www.chinariders.net/attachmen...1&d=1482855054

Step 5: A little two part epoxy goes a long way. Top Tip - The label from a bottle of Stella makes a perfect mixing area. Time for another Stella!
http://www.chinariders.net/attachmen...1&d=1482857231

Step 6: Put the drain plug in and refill the crankcase with about as much oil as would fit in two bottles of Stella. Drink another take of Stella, and wait until you're sober to go for a ride.

BlackBike · 12-27-2016, 12:22 PM

step 4.5

drill a hole thru your finger...FU STELLA

2LZ · 12-27-2016, 01:06 PM

I love complete and descriptive instructions! Good job!....and a nice choice in Stella... ;-)

**JerryHawk250** · 12-27-2016, 01:25 PM

Nice job Stella.

Man from the looks of that oil you changed it just in time. lol. Hopefully you put oil back in there and not Stella.

Emerikol · 12-27-2016, 02:19 PM

I only had 500'ish miles on that oil. I ran the bike for a few minutes when I first uncrated it and changed the shipping oil out for Suzuki 10w40. I keep that around for the oil changes on the DR. The oil that's draining in the picture had a lot of very tiny metal flecks (not even flakes, just flecks. Almost like metallic paint), but no big pieces, and the oil screen was completely clean. I think it's just the machined finish wearing off all the bits that move and rub together. That's a large part of the reason I decided to fabricate up the magnetic drain plug. I'm going to change the oil again in another 500 miles (1,000 miles on the bike), and then decide if I want to stick to a 500 mile interval, or a 1,000 mile interval. The DR gets the oil changed every 2,500 miles, but there is also a very good oil filter on that bike. The rebel gets done every 1,000 miles since there's only an oil screen on it. What does the collective wisdom of the forum have to say about the oil change interval?

**JerryHawk250** · 12-27-2016, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emerikol

I only had 500'ish miles on that oil. I ran the bike for a few minutes when I first uncrated it and changed the shipping oil out for Suzuki 10w40. I keep that around for the oil changes on the DR. The oil that's draining in the picture had a lot of very tiny metal flecks (not even flakes, just flecks. Almost like metallic paint), but no big pieces, and the oil screen was completely clean. I think it's just the machined finish wearing off all the bits that move and rub together. That's a large part of the reason I decided to fabricate up the magnetic drain plug. I'm going to change the oil again in another 500 miles (1,000 miles on the bike), and then decide if I want to stick to a 500 mile interval, or a 1,000 mile interval. The DR gets the oil changed every 2,500 miles, but there is also a very good oil filter on that bike. The rebel gets done every 1,000 miles since there's only an oil screen on it. What does the collective wisdom of the forum have to say about the oil change interval?

Nice metallic bling. That's why I changed mine a 200 miles then again at 500. I stuck the magnet on the plug after that 1st oil change after seeing all that shiny stuff.

Emerikol · 12-27-2016, 02:27 PM

Yeah, looking back I should have done something like a 250, then a 500, then a 1,000 and gone from there. Did you just get a really strong magnet and stick it on the outside of the bolt head so it would magnetize the entire bolt?

**JerryHawk250** · 12-27-2016, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emerikol

Yeah, looking back I should have done something like a 250, then a 500, then a 1,000 and gone from there. Did you just get a really strong magnet and stick it on the outside of the bolt head so it would magnetize the entire bolt?

I put about 100 miles over Saturday and yesterday. The oil still looks clean now. I stuck a strong rare earth magnet that my wife had left over from when she use to do crafts and epoxied it to the out side. it did pick up some very fine metal on it when I last changed the oil. One little 1/4" dia. x 1/4" magnet can pick up a crescent wrench with ease. powerful little magnet. I thought about doing what you did but was afraid the epoxy might not hold and with my luck it would be stuck in the engine somewhere.

Emerikol · 12-27-2016, 02:43 PM

The concern I have with going the "magnet on the outside" route is that the metal filings deposit on the threads of the bolt as well as on the end, so when you back the bolt out you grind those metal bits into the threads. I know a guy who did that on a Honda civic with an aluminum oil pan and destroyed the pan-side threads in about 5 oil changes. I'm not super concerned about the epoxy failing since the magnet will stay on the bolt and there's nothing really close that it could jump over to. Either it will work out, or it wont. I'll know as soon as something goes 'BANG!' in the engine, or when I do the next oil change.

2LZ · 12-27-2016, 03:21 PM

I change mine about every 1000-1500 or so, after break-in. On my "pure dirt" bikes I usually go more by time. They didn't get near the miles so I'd change it every 6 months or so, just because. The sight glass really helps keep an eye on the oil quality. It's just so cheap to change at a quart.........

BlackBike · 12-27-2016, 05:26 PM

the mighty elders will correct me if i'm wrong but that has been described here as casting flakes and new clutch wear in, in early oil changes. saw it in mine too as described.

letsride · 12-27-2016, 06:52 PM

NICE JOB!! I'll do the same. I'll get some of that 2 part double bubble we use at work. It has a very high heat rating and is super strong. Ya know its not a bad idea to have a large magnet on the bottom of yer bike to help trip stop lights. As far as oil changes. I changed it right after first start (only a few mins on shipping oil if that) then I changed it again at 50 miles and I'll change it again at 250 miles, then again at 500 miles. Heck its only like 2.75 and 5 minutes to change it. Me and little man took the Brozz on an afternoon ride today. That boy don't want to do anything but Ride SOMETHING.

We rode every dang thing in the man shed today! Then he said, "Daddy, can we take Big Boy out before dark?" So the Brozz's new name is now "Big Boy"

BlackBike · 12-27-2016, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by letsride

NICE JOB!! I'll do the same. I'll get some of that 2 part double bubble we use at work. It has a very high heat rating and is super strong. Ya know its not a bad idea to have a large magnet on the bottom of yer bike to help trip stop lights. As far as oil changes. I changed it right after first start (only a few mins on shipping oil if that) then I changed it again at 50 miles and I'll change it again at 250 miles, then again at 500 miles. Heck its only like 2.75 and 5 minutes to change it. Me and little man took the Brozz on an afternoon ride today. That boy don't want to do anything but Ride SOMETHING.

We rode every dang thing in the man shed today! Then he said, "Daddy, can we take Big Boy out before dark?" So the Brozz's new name is now "Big Boy"

big boy...little man... GOD BLESS DIXIE

wonder years spent in mississippi

Emerikol · 05-02-2018, 05:33 PM

Another early day from work, and another Stella on the workbench. I did the oil change today, and here's an update on how the magnet is holding up so far:

http://chinariders.net/attachment.ph...1&d=1525296155
http://chinariders.net/attachment.ph...1&d=1525296155

It looks like the epoxy is holding up just fine, and the magnet did a really good job keeping all the really fine metal bits from transiting through the moving parts of the engine. All in all, I'm going to call this one a success...

**JerryHawk250** · 05-02-2018, 05:37 PM

Looks like it worked to me.

But man, You'll use any excuse for a Stella.

12-27-2016, 12:22 PM	#2
BlackBike Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: George West, Texas Posts: 4,097	step 4.5 drill a hole thru your finger...FU STELLA __________________ ***************************************** 2015 Bashan"Blaze" BS250GY-31 (DB-07K-250) GONE 2017 Suzuki V Strom 650 XT "We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~Benjamin Franklin~ Last edited by BlackBike; 12-27-2016 at 01:50 PM.
	0

12-27-2016, 01:06 PM	#3
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,078	I love complete and descriptive instructions! Good job!....and a nice choice in Stella... ;-) __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
	0

12-27-2016, 01:25 PM	#4
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,552	Nice job Stella. Man from the looks of that oil you changed it just in time. lol. Hopefully you put oil back in there and not Stella. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	1

12-27-2016, 02:19 PM	#5
Emerikol Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Carrollton, GA Posts: 1,465	I only had 500'ish miles on that oil. I ran the bike for a few minutes when I first uncrated it and changed the shipping oil out for Suzuki 10w40. I keep that around for the oil changes on the DR. The oil that's draining in the picture had a lot of very tiny metal flecks (not even flakes, just flecks. Almost like metallic paint), but no big pieces, and the oil screen was completely clean. I think it's just the machined finish wearing off all the bits that move and rub together. That's a large part of the reason I decided to fabricate up the magnetic drain plug. I'm going to change the oil again in another 500 miles (1,000 miles on the bike), and then decide if I want to stick to a 500 mile interval, or a 1,000 mile interval. The DR gets the oil changed every 2,500 miles, but there is also a very good oil filter on that bike. The rebel gets done every 1,000 miles since there's only an oil screen on it. What does the collective wisdom of the forum have to say about the oil change interval? __________________ First Rule of Aviation: -Never Pass Up The Opportunity to Pee I was struggling to get my wife's attention; I sat down on the couch and looked comfortable. That did the trick! My wife says I only have two faults. I don't listen and something else... If at first you don't succeed, try doing it the way I told you to... The Stable: 2005 Yamaha V-Star 650 - SOLD 2015 Suzuki DR 650 2015 RPS Hawk 250 - SOLD 2016 Ural Gear Up
	0

12-27-2016, 02:27 PM	#7
Emerikol Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Carrollton, GA Posts: 1,465	Yeah, looking back I should have done something like a 250, then a 500, then a 1,000 and gone from there. Did you just get a really strong magnet and stick it on the outside of the bolt head so it would magnetize the entire bolt? __________________ First Rule of Aviation: -Never Pass Up The Opportunity to Pee I was struggling to get my wife's attention; I sat down on the couch and looked comfortable. That did the trick! My wife says I only have two faults. I don't listen and something else... If at first you don't succeed, try doing it the way I told you to... The Stable: 2005 Yamaha V-Star 650 - SOLD 2015 Suzuki DR 650 2015 RPS Hawk 250 - SOLD 2016 Ural Gear Up
	0

12-27-2016, 02:43 PM	#9
Emerikol Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Carrollton, GA Posts: 1,465	The concern I have with going the "magnet on the outside" route is that the metal filings deposit on the threads of the bolt as well as on the end, so when you back the bolt out you grind those metal bits into the threads. I know a guy who did that on a Honda civic with an aluminum oil pan and destroyed the pan-side threads in about 5 oil changes. I'm not super concerned about the epoxy failing since the magnet will stay on the bolt and there's nothing really close that it could jump over to. Either it will work out, or it wont. I'll know as soon as something goes 'BANG!' in the engine, or when I do the next oil change. __________________ First Rule of Aviation: -Never Pass Up The Opportunity to Pee I was struggling to get my wife's attention; I sat down on the couch and looked comfortable. That did the trick! My wife says I only have two faults. I don't listen and something else... If at first you don't succeed, try doing it the way I told you to... The Stable: 2005 Yamaha V-Star 650 - SOLD 2015 Suzuki DR 650 2015 RPS Hawk 250 - SOLD 2016 Ural Gear Up
	1

12-27-2016, 03:21 PM	#10
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,078	I change mine about every 1000-1500 or so, after break-in. On my "pure dirt" bikes I usually go more by time. They didn't get near the miles so I'd change it every 6 months or so, just because. The sight glass really helps keep an eye on the oil quality. It's just so cheap to change at a quart......... __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
	2

12-27-2016, 05:26 PM	#11
BlackBike Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: George West, Texas Posts: 4,097	the mighty elders will correct me if i'm wrong but that has been described here as casting flakes and new clutch wear in, in early oil changes. saw it in mine too as described. __________________ ***************************************** 2015 Bashan"Blaze" BS250GY-31 (DB-07K-250) GONE 2017 Suzuki V Strom 650 XT "We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~Benjamin Franklin~
	2

12-27-2016, 06:52 PM	#12
letsride Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Leesville SC Posts: 832	NICE JOB!! I'll do the same. I'll get some of that 2 part double bubble we use at work. It has a very high heat rating and is super strong. Ya know its not a bad idea to have a large magnet on the bottom of yer bike to help trip stop lights. As far as oil changes. I changed it right after first start (only a few mins on shipping oil if that) then I changed it again at 50 miles and I'll change it again at 250 miles, then again at 500 miles. Heck its only like 2.75 and 5 minutes to change it. Me and little man took the Brozz on an afternoon ride today. That boy don't want to do anything but Ride SOMETHING. We rode every dang thing in the man shed today! Then he said, "Daddy, can we take Big Boy out before dark?" So the Brozz's new name is now "Big Boy" __________________ My Stable- 2022 Lifan KPX250 , 2023 Royal Enfield Himalayan, 1992 Honda GL1500 Goldwing, SSR 70 Auto, Kymco Mongoose 90, Honda Four Trax 300
	1

05-02-2018, 05:37 PM	#15
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,552	Looks like it worked to me. But man, You'll use any excuse for a Stella. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	1