stupid idea?

[grog]

as quite a few have wrecked their ride hitting sump plug. Vlad, Col recently. others on old org. cant rem. names but quite a few. my question, not an engineer just a mechanic, is it possible to make a guard, bash plate to fit to protect sump plug. any thoughts from you blokes.

[RickC]

I thought about it when I fitted the Delkevic twin system, it wouldn't be that big a job bridging the two pipes.
I think new springs in the forks reduces a lot of these problems.

[VladTepes]

Yeah its pretty unlucky to get a sump plug ripped out when the damn thing is still (slightly) higher than the pipes.. gotta be especially lucky, like me.

A bash plate would ordinarily not be a problem, except that there is the teeny matter of the exhaust to get in the way eh !

I actually gave this quite some pondering (2 snifters of VSOP cognac worth) after it happened to me, and came to the conclusion that it was all too difficult....

[KiwiCol]

I've been mulling over this same idea myself these past few days, whilst I wait for a gasket to re-assemble her.

I've not delved too deep into it yet, but was thinking along the lines of a protrusion (off the frame) which was just slightly lower than the sump plug, thus taking the hit first (and clearing the way for the sump to pass).

These sump incidents seem to always occur whilst going slowly, just starting off or stopping, over rough / uneven ground, pot holes (feggen big ones!!) or skyscraper speed bumps etc.

Whilst I'd like to have some sort of sump protection, I reckon the best way to avoid these incidents is for the operator / rider to be aware of the ground they're crossing & keep their mind focused during slow speed - rough ground traversing.
I say this as one with first hand experience, my own fault, I shouldn't have ridden over the pot hole, just not being aware or focusing, as I was just setting off, you're thinking about the road ahead, getting comfortable, visor down, watch that car, just 'settling in' in other words. But this slow speed amble also has it's dangers, and I got caught by one. And the price I paid in $ terms for recovery & repair isn't inconsiderable, not to mention bike out of action for 2 weeks waiting for a bloody gasket!!

Still, I cheered myself up with the purchase of a new kick ass chain, a new Delkevic carbon can (to finally replace the bazzoka) new set of tyres (Angel GT's) and a whole lot of other small bits for it. Might bung those HH front pads in too while I think of it.

So, while a sump guard would be welcome (if someone can come up with one - Snapey / Grog) I'll be trying to improve my 'situational awareness' during slow speed maneuvering from now on.  Lesson well learned on my part anyway.

[Snapey]

I'm waiting for parts to arrive from the UK Col so I'll look for a remedy today.

BTW, Just a warning if you think you're buying from an Australian seller if you deal with café-biker (Dumfries, Australia) on Ebay. I needed the parts in a hurry & didn't want to buy overseas but Dumfries Australia turned out to be Dumfries UK, so I've now got a bike in a million pieces & the parts I want lost in the system somewhere between Heathrow & Mascot.

[Snapey]

There's too much happening around the sump plug to fit a universal bash plate. My suggestion would be a flanged bolt with a hex drive. Similar to a countersunk screw but instead of the angle there's a flange for the crush washer. No good for me though as I lock wire mine.

[VladTepes]

Any bash plate would potentially complicate removal of sump etc.

The sky high steel speed bump was the problem with me - but it was even unluckier than that.  The speedbump had (as I discovered later) a number of bolts protruding from the top of it which bolted it to the ground.  My sump plug and one of these bolts happened to attempt to occupy the same space at the same time. A very unlikely chance for a normal person, but easy for shit magnet like me....  :rofl:

[Blubber]

A very unlikely chance for a normal person, but easy for shit magnet like me....  :rofl:

Just depolarize your shit magnet .... some people... sigh