Topic: oil change mess-help?

[dramsell]

Whenever I change the oil in my 78 750K, I have a mess (somehow always manages to drip down on the pipes, frame etc.) when I drain the oil tank under the sidecover. 

Anyone have any great tips for draining that oil without the mess?

Dave R

[DJ_AX]

I usually make  a tinfoil troft. 

[dramsell]

Do you mean for the oil drain UNDER the bike? 

I am speaking of the oil tank under the sidecover.

[mystic_1]

I do the same, but mine's made out of plastic.  I clean it after use and keep it around for next time.  Mine's made out of an old plastic report cover, and has been trimmed a bit to fit the area exactly.

Before that I just wedged in a funnel, catching the edge of the rim behind the drain spout before removing the bolt.  That worked fairly well.

mystic_1

[DJ_AX]

Do you mean for the oil drain UNDER the bike? 

I am speaking of the oil tank under the sidecover.

Both..
After doing it a couple of times, I've got it perfected. Only takes a second or two, I don't miss a drop, and clean up is a snap.

[cafe750]

I cut a milk jug to fit the area right under the oil tank. I just "crack" the plug with a  wrench, then I hold the jug under there, and unscrew the plug with the other hand...I don't spill a drop. As for the underside drain, if you put the bike on its centerstand, you should be able to fit an oil drain pan under there... Hope this helps!

[sparty]

The way I solved that problem:
1. Take a older small plastic funnel and cut it in half.  
2. Drill two holes near the top of the funnel for zip ties.
3. Hang the half funnel under the oil tank bung by looping some string through the zipties and up around the oil tank.  
4. As you open the bung, tip the half funnel so that it directs the oil into your catch pan.
5. There will be little or no mess this way.
6. The funnel is reusable.

Sparty

[750K2]

i cut the bottom off of a plastic soda bottle in the shape of a scoop.  the length gets the drain out far enough to catch the runoff into my collection pan and the size of the opening ensures that the drain plug will be caught if i happen to drop it.