lockwire on drain plugs?

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Jun 5, 2015 | 07:38 AM

pbianculli

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: May 2013

Posts: 45

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From: Southold NY

lockwire on drain plugs?

I was wondering if anyone had drilled out and used lockwire to secure all 3 drain plugs on their bikes. I have heard a few horror stories in the past, and I just ordered a few K&N filters for my next couple of oil changes. I know I can use lockwire to secure the filter, but I don't know if it will weaken the drain plugs at all by drilling a small hole thru the bolt head. I got some new plugs, I will try it out and see what happens. Thanks!

Last edited by pbianculli; Jun 5, 2015 at 07:45 AM.

Jun 5, 2015 | 07:48 AM

union53

Road Captain

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 618

Likes: 100

From: MA

drill bolts all the time on race bikes. Never had an issue with the strength of the bolt after as long as its drilled right. You can also look into companies like pro bolt or race tech titanium which sell pre drilled bolts.

Jun 5, 2015 | 08:02 AM

Super Glidester

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2014

Posts: 35,239

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From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W

Safety wiring as it is called in the aviation field is a good practice to ensure that bolts will not come loose or fall out. I have seen it on automobile brake bolts I believe the car was a 68 Lincoln. I don't know if it was factory though. I don't think the holes are drilled all the way through the bolt head from six to twelve or three to nine, they are drilled through each edge of the hex so the hex bolt head would have six holes drilled through. Of course, you don't need six, you could tighten it, mark where you want the hole and drill it.

Jun 5, 2015 | 08:08 AM

red69camaro

Tourer

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 467

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Funny, I've never heard of anyone loosing a drain plug on a street bike.

Where would you wire it to without scratching something?

Jun 5, 2015 | 08:10 AM

WVDevil

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 1,323

Likes: 57

From: Central Florida

Safety wiring is never a bad idea. With a bit of practice its easy to make good looking and secure pigtails, even without safety wire pliers. In aviation pretty much everything is safety wired, you also see it in racing applications. You can buy a jig to drill bolts :

http://proshop.summitracing.com///pa...m9ARoCNmbw_wcB

and the pliers:

http://proshop.summitracing.com/part...0120/overview/

and the wire:

http://proshop.summitracing.com/part...0121/overview/

A can of wire will last you most of your life. Always use .032 size.