The drain plug is M14, so you'll need a 14mm ID crush washer.

They come included with the OEM replacement oil filter so I change them everytime, but you can usually get away with re-using the old one. Ensure it goes back on the same way as it came out. You'll see the indentation of the drain plug on one side and the smooth side that faced the sump sealing surface.

Tightening torque is 25 Nm (18.4 Ft/lbs)

I see no problem re-using that oil if you use a really clean drain pan.

 

I don't know the size, but I've re-used mine twice now and the last time I accidentally left it off. Borrowed one of my wife's Tupperware containers and as quick as a bunny pulled the plug and re-installed the washer. Only lost about a half pint of oil in the process which I poured back in with no problem.
Only trouble is- now all our leftovers taste a little funny.

 

If the crush washer was copper, like in "the good old days", you could just re-anneal them and re-use.

I've re-used my alloy crush washer every time I've done an oil change so far, no leaks... I've been seriously thinking about replacing it with a copper one though...


S.

 

Similar question recently, must be that time of year to change one's oil.
http://www.triumphrat.net/twins-technical-talk/133656-oil-plug-washer.html

 

Thanks everyone

 

Eddie,

I've got hundreds of them. Send me a SASE and I'll mail you one.

Mike Selman
POB 760403
Lathrup, MI 48076

 

btw, I pulled a bonehead move today. I for some reason decided to go nutzo with my propane torch and anneal the aluminum drain plug washer. All is going well until I see the f*(^3r starting to melt...luckily I caught it in time and I was able to reuse it. If I had another one on hand I would have trashed this one but I wanted to ride!

 

you must make a mean Creme Brulee

 

If you wanted to pull out the drain plug but leave in the oil, you could quickly stick a rubber test tube stopper in it and only lose a couple ounces.
Might be messy, but it'd work.
You can get those stoppers in the those racks of little specialty Hillman fastener drawers at Ace Hdwr and others.
All kinds of cool stuff in those drawers.
-K

 

Lock wire it....

Here's a racers tip ......

Next time you change your oil and have the sump plug in your oily hand ... take a 1/16" drill bit and your drill and bore a hole in the edge of the bolt head so that you can thread a length of tie wire through the drain plug and secure it to your frame or elsewhere with the lock wire..

This will prevent the bolt from unscrewing itself from vibration and spewing your engine oil all over your back wheel at an inopportune moment ....... like, just as you are entering Turn One at Phillip Island or some place similar....


S.

 

Here's a racers tip ......

Next time you change your oil and have the sump plug in your oily hand ... take a 1/16" drill bit and your drill and bore a hole in the edge of the bolt head so that you can thread a length of tie wire through the drain plug and secure it to your frame or elsewhere with the lock wire..

This will prevent the bolt from unscrewing itself from vibration and spewing your engine oil all over your back wheel at an inopportune moment ....... like, just as you are entering Turn One at Phillip Island or some place similar....


S.

and how often has that actually happened? Seems like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

 

I read the soap blackening trick before - on these forums I believe.

 

Why wouldnt you use a new crush washer every time...they are like a nickEL...... $.10 maybe?

 

Oh, sure, take the easy way out...

 

I went to my local Triumph dealer and asked for the replacement washer and they gave me a rubber o-ring. Not having ever changed the oil in my '09 Bonneville yet, I didn't know the difference. Just removed the plug from the sump and low and behold, it's a metal washer, not a rubber o-ring. Idiots.

From what I've read in this thread, folks are having luck using the same washer, so I'm going to try that and try to return my $1.39 o-rings to the dealer.

 

I went to my local Triumph dealer and asked for the replacement washer and they gave me a rubber o-ring.

I can't believe they did that. Must have been one of those mouth breathers with the brain of a duck that you often find in shop counters. Return the "O" ring and tell them the washer you want is part number T3550605.

 

I ended up getting some from the local Honda dealer

 

So if we're all getting our washers at someplace other than the Triumph dealer, what are the dealers using when they do oil changes?

On a side note, just did my 500-mile service myself at 504 miles. Too bad I have to go to work, otherwise I'd be taking 'er out there and really opening it up now that the break-in oil is out.

 

So if we're all getting our washers at someplace other than the Triumph dealer, what are the dealers using when they do oil changes?

The OEM Triumph oil filter comes with a replacement washer. As I imagine dealers use these factory filters, they have no need of keeping loose washers.

Filter part number T1210444, comes with a new washer shrink-wrapped with the element. The crush washer on its own can also be ordered from the dealer for around 0.85c, it's part number T3550605.

The last thread on these bloody washers ran for 30 posts...this is only post Nº24 on this thread, come on lads...go for the record...

 

Wander into any auto parts store and ask for an oil drain plug crush washer for a 1990 Honda Accord....works like a champ.

 

They didn't teach me about the soap trick in the metallurgy class. It sounds good to me though. I did learn that different aluminum alloys need different types of heat treatment for annealing and hardening. SO... not knowing what type of aluminum that this is I have not tried to anneal one yet. I get extras at the auto parts store once in a while but usually just replace the old one with no bad effect
I'm getting a kick out of all this discussion regarding $.10 replaceable washers. I was going to comment on a different thread about how ugly those aluminum panniers were but I didn't want to insult the poor guy. I'm sure they have LOTS of room inside and are REALLY tough. With the right size hole punching die I wonder how many washers you could make out a set of those?

 

That reminds me of an incident some years ago. A local young lad asked me to help him by teaching him how to do a top-end de-coke on his 50cc 2-stroke moped.
This had an aluminium washer-like head gasket and I told him how us clever and wise old timers saved cash by knowing all about annealing that gasket and re-using it.
I gripped it with a pair of pliers, soaped it up and everything, and placed it over a gas flame on the cooker. Within a minute it burst into flames and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Trying to keep my cool and my dignity, I then explained how much better his engine would run minus the head gasket and therefore an increased compression ratio...

 

Poor kid - lol

 

A person could make the crush washers using tin snips and beer cans. I'd use three of them just to be sure there was enough thickness to provide the 'crush'. I've made gaskets for more critical applications than this using worse materials than beer cans....

 

I have now decided that my grass and tree roots approach to drain plug stoppage is a bad move.

I now machine drain plug washers from a solid block of alloy 6061 billet, which starts life as a 300mm X 300mm X 300mm cube.

Each cube makes one washer, which I discard every time.


:err

 

Been on the Britvic and Vodka again have we prop?

 

Well, I went back to the dealer (American Biker in Ladson, SC) today to return the rubber o-rings and pick up a crush washer and some brake line clips. The parts manager had never heard of the crush washer and said they didn't have any of them or any of the clips. I asked him what the mechanics used when they did oil changes, so he went in back and presumably asked a mechanic. He comes back out and tells me that they've never had occasion to replace a crush washer during an oil change. When asked where to get the clips, I was told "any of the other bike shops should have something like that."

What an absolutely awful place to do business.

 

What an absolutely awful place to do business.

What an enormous understatement. Run as fast as you can from that place!

 

I gotta say, I'm having trouble finding a hardware store that even carries the correct 14mm washer. I mean, give me a break. I've been searching all junk drawers for a bunch I picked up...somewhere...once... so might have to settle for the nearest alternative, whatever that'll be. Any store suggestions for Western U.S.?

 

I have been using the original washer since 2001 and about to do my 50th oil change on the bike. I have a new one in stock, but why fix what's not broken? Seriously, how are people destroying them? Have you tried an Auto Parts store?

 

I agree that changing each time borders on Too Much. I generally re-use em at least a handful of times, but thought I'd replace it this time for kicks. Was checking auto parts stores like AutoZone etc but at least in my area they will often have everything Except exactly what I need.

 

You do need to be careful selecting an aftermarket drain plug washer.
Make sure it is identical or better than the one you are taking off.

I thought the ones in this video were better as they were rubber coated, but no!!!

 

You do need to be careful selecting an aftermarket drain plug washer.
Make sure it is identical or better than the one you are taking off.

I thought the ones in this video were better as they were rubber coated, but no!!!

The aftermarket aluminum 14mm washers I find at auto parts stores are EXACTLY the same as the Triumph ones.
The inner diameter is a touch over 14mm to accommodate the ridge(?) under the head of the drain bolt.

I would NEVER substitute a composite or different material for an aluminum washer.