I would just refill and good to ride, Who changed the final drive oil last?
I did. About 700 kms prior.
And make sure your back tire is clean!
Twas good advice! Left side was an accident waiting to happen. :good:
I always add a little "Auto Goop" to enusre the drain bolt does not back out. I also safety wire the engine oil drain plug.
Canadian FJR
Please explain. You mean that gooey goo glue? You put that over the bolt?
New drain bolt, new gear oil, spin to check for for noise, sit back, have a nice cold beer, thank the gods of speed, cause you're one lucky fucker.
Agreed. I was about to head 'home' (700 kms away) when I noticed.
It might not be a bad idea to change the oil after 50 to 100 miles. Look for chunks as well as get em out of there.
Never thought of this. I shall. Thanks.
New drain bolt, new gear oil, spin to check for for noise, sit back, have a nice cold beer, thank the gods of speed, cause you're one lucky fucker.
Lucky for sure.
I was washing my bike the other day and saw oil around the rim, the shaft oil drain bolt was halfway out and since then I make sure it is properly torque to 17 ft-pound with a torque wrench.
Damn! What the hell is going on? 350,000 miles on FJRs and never once has that bold loosened on it's own. Now my anal-retentive side does make me replace the crush washer every time, but that make's it easy-peasy to properley torque without a torque wrench. Just tighten until you feel it get significantly harder.
Yeah, I don't get it either. I have NEVER had this happen. You might recall a year ago when I got the bike and changed the shaft oil I made some post about the the crush washer and the fact I had never changed it (it was squished onto the bolt and I didnt notice it was there). I made a point to make sure I installed one (after removing the other one) this time. It's quite easy to 'feel' when the bolt it tight when a crush washer is installed. I use a torque wrench when I put the lid back on the pickle jar for Cripe's sake but never bother when it comes to drain bolts or spark plugs - too afraid the proper specs will result in a broken plug or stripped thread and instead always go by feel. I reefed on this SOB and cannot believe it turned itself out!
If not real busy roads, take a slow ride retracing your steps. You may find the bolt as they are pretty big and then you would know how far you went with little lube. Would save you the cost of a new drain plug assuming it is not damaged by tires hitting it.
Or just follow the oil slick back to it's beginning!
Tried that but came up with nothing.
Thanks everyone for the advice. I did retrace my steps, more for the peace of mind that I hadn't driven very far more than to save a buck by finding the old bolt. Turn out I drove minimum 80 kms with the bolt gone including a 2 hour stop. Could have a lot more than 80 kms, who knows.
I promptly ordered a new bolt but alas, it wouldn't be in until Monday. Damn! What's a guy to do? Decided I had no choice but to take the new boat out and wait the 5 days since I was miles away from home. :beach:
Comox->Powell River-> Secret Cove -> Vancouver->Nanaimo->Comox.
Turns out the boat and motorcycle have the EXACT same range on a tank of gas, however the bike costs $24 to fill, the boat - $420 :shok: