valved oil plugs

[newstowner]

I have seen oil drain plugs for cars that have a lever to allow the oil to drain without removing the plug.
It seems it might be useful when you need to drain only a small amount of oil (eg) the shop adds to much during an oil change.
Has anyone tried such a device? If so where did you get it and how did you like it? If not any ideas on how to remove an oil overage without (a) draining all the oil and (b) not creating a giant mess?
Thanks

[racer1735]

Those valves are nice until the check ball and spring decide not to seat properly, then you have oil on your rear tire. Not a nice way to decrease the volume of oil in your motor.....

[dond]

It should be mentioned that the oil drain plug on the ST is only a fraction of a mm from being the lowest point on the bike. The ST has a shortened up drain plug stock to keep it from being the lowest point on the engine.
If I'm not mistaken the US models were held for delivery because the European riders were skining their drain plugs smooth off the bike.


Paul
That is correct Paul and I have bumped the bottom a few times while "adventure touring." Once I rode slowly over a curb to get out of a situation and as I eased over it the engine dropped right on top of the curb, lightly but with a clearance decreasing plug...mmmm not good.
Sounds good "on paper" tho':cool:

[wjbertrand]

I have seen oil drain plugs for cars that have a lever to allow the oil to drain without removing the plug.
It seems it might be useful when you need to drain only a small amount of oil (eg) the shop adds to much during an oil change.
Has anyone tried such a device? If so where did you get it and how did you like it? If not any ideas on how to remove an oil overage without (a) draining all the oil and (b) not creating a giant mess?
Thanks

You can get these drain valves here: http://www.fumotovalve.com/

I had one on my ST1100 and other than taking longer to empty the sump it worked well. Be advised that you will have to Dremmel a bit of the cooling fin closest to the drain valve to allow it enough room to screw into place. The ST1100 has a horizontally oriented drain opening, meaning that adding this valve will not result in reduced ground clearance.

I would strongly recommend against installing such a valve in the ST1300 with it's downward facing drain hole, as it will place the valve quite low and make it very vulnerable to road damage.

[newstowner]

Thanks much to everyone. I appreciate your knowledge and opinions.

[racer1735]

Its bad enough hearing the 'crunch' when you rub the bottom of the fairing over a chunk of concrete. I'd hate to think of the sound of metal on concrete!