i need to change my clutch cable but now i am wondering if i should drain the transmission with the plug or can i just take off the cover and let the oil flow ? problem is that if i need to use the plug i need to take off my SS and don't look forward to it

 

I would use the plug. Dumping out the covers would require you to tip the bike and even still you may not be able to get all the fluid out

 

Doesn't matter if he gets all the fluid out. He's trying to change the clutch cable, not the fluid.

 

I just did this last weekend when I installed my new cables for my apes and even on my lift with the bike straight up I lost hardly any fluid and just had a drip pan underneath it. The hardest part of changing the cable is screwing the new cable into the cover it's very hard to get started and easy to cross thread and strip out the threads.

 

When it come time to change the trans fluid, I'd get it warm and use a turkey baster before going thru the hassle of removing the SS to get to the plug.

 

I didn't drain mine either, just pulled the side cover off and didn't lose that much. Just added a little bit after I was done.

 

What is SS?

 

Shotgun Shock.
I saw in here someone did their fluid change and it wasn't a big deal with the SS there.

 

You can also put your bike on 2x4's, and lean it over on the kickstand. The angle is pretty steep but I did it and lost hardly any fluid when I pulled off the clutch cover to change the cable.