Skid Plate ?

[nopork]

Of the current crop of skid plates available what are the steps involved in changing oil and filter? I assume all of them need to come off to do this but which has the simplest method for removal and re-installation? Some appear to have a lot of brackets involved in mounting.

 

[HoebSTer]

no pork, from what i can tell, it seems several of the skid plate companies are using the same mounting points. For most bikes, there aren't many places when you design these things to modify it. SO unfortunately it would be no suprise to me that all will have to take 5-8 bolts off to remove it for oil change.

 

[fjr1300]

I would think you could bore a hole for the crankcase drain

 

[SpeedStar]

The Altrider plate has the hole already for the drain. It is the access to the filter that will require the plate removal.

 

[RomKnight]

Same with the original yamaha. The problem is the oil fiter

 

[colorider]

I would think you could bore a hole for the crankcase drain

From my experience on various bikes with skid plates, even with a hole - there is still a mess and it is just as easy to remove the plate.

 

[Swagger]

Personally, I'd remove the bash plate anyway just for ease of function. Not exactly a difficult job on a bike with a centre stand. I like to keep an eye on things so removing the plate for periodic inspection, cleaning and servicing would be natural for me.

 

[hANNAbONE]

Full removal is a good thang...it'll give you cause to re-torque all the bolts and plenty of room to do the 5 minute oil change.

It also will give you a viewing of the underside for a good cleaning &/or anything amiss.

It isn't that big a hassle....3 beer minimum. Hoooah

 

[Koinz]

Maybe they can weld a spout that directs the oil through the skid plate and add a little rubber grommet between the skid plate and drain hole to keep the mess to a minimum, but if you have to take it off to do the filter it's a moot point.

 

[HoebSTer]

There are companies out there that make heavy duty drain valves to replace the threaded plug. It is just a 1/4 turn and oil comes out. With a skid plate something like this would be protected.

 

[bvail]

Removal on my V-Strom about 5 minutes - 4 bolts IIRC.

 

[vnp514]

Any one company build a better mousetrap(skid plate) than the others? Better quality, better protection, etc.

Pete

 

[markjenn]

There are companies out there that make heavy duty drain valves to replace the threaded plug. It is just a 1/4 turn and oil comes out. With a skid plate something like this would be protected.

If you're talking about things like Fumoto valves, they're generally too bulky to use on a bike and I'd never use them on any vehicle where bottom impacts are a possibility, skid plate or not.

http://www.fumotousa.com/

- Mark

 

[gmsnowball]

Any one company build a better mousetrap(skid plate) than the others? Better quality, better protection, etc.

Pete

Good question..... answers, anyone :question: Looks like I will have plenty of time to decide which farkels to buy, probably won't see my ST 10 for another 5-6 months :'(

 

[Rainman]

Hey guys,

I'm jumping in on this topic kinda late but thought I would throw in my two bits..
I have an ACD plate on my 2012 Tenere and it works great! There is only 4 bolts to take it off and you are right it's not the big a deal. One thing to be aware of is the two rear bolts are what connects the center stand to the bike. By it's design with the bike on the center stand you can sneak these bolts , drop the skid plate but then I always slide the bolts back in to keep things from falling down. Also on the right you must be careful not to release the kickstand spring.
A friend on this site took the ACD skid plate and modified it for oil and filter changes while bolted to the bike. Using a metal hole saw he cut the face of the oil filter cover leaving approx a 1/4" lip. This hole is now large enough to reach in with a oil filter tool (looks like a big socket) and remove the filter. He fabed up an aluminium disc, fit it over the 1/4 lip, drilled four holes through the disc and lip, tapped the lip and bolted it on. Two holes drilled into the bottom of the pan below the drain bolts and you are in business. It is still a messy job as the oil does drool all over the inside of the pan but if you "needed" to do an oil change on the trail it might save some time.

 

[Sierra1]

As much as I love this bike, it still amazes me that an engineer somewhere thought that putting the oil filter on the front of the engine was a good thing. On a bike that will likely see rocks & gravel. On the side, ala FJ/FJR, would have made much more sense. That being said, the Altrider skid plate is easy to remove/replace. I replace the filter EVERY time a change oil on anything. Cheap insurance. I use extended life oil in my Jeep. I just change the filter every six months. (newer Jeep filters are on the top of the block, draining into the block)

 

[limey]

As much as I love this bike, it still amazes me that an engineer somewhere thought that putting the oil filter on the front of the engine was a good thing. On a bike that will likely see rocks & gravel. On the side, ala FJ/FJR, would have made much more sense. That being said, the Altrider skid plate is easy to remove/replace. I replace the filter EVERY time a change oil on anything. Cheap insurance. I use extended life oil in my Jeep. I just change the filter every six months. (newer Jeep filters are on the top of the block, draining into the block)

Never heard of anyone blowing a hole in there oil filter. Oil pan yes.

 

[Don in Lodi]

I think I read here somewhere that somebody got a small knick from a rock chip. It wouldn't seem to be impossible. Read of somebody leaving the aluminum filter cup on their filter for protection. Seems a bit overboard.