Oil drain valve (not plug) experience

[Vlad]

Is anyone here using the Fujimoto Oil Drain Valve ( http://www.fumotovalve.com ) on a Bandit 1200? I'm thinkong of bying one but their web site does not have motorcycles on the list and I don't know which model to order. The size (dimensions, thread) of the original Suzuki drain plug would be of help too.

TIA,
Vlad

[2005B12S]

No way would I put that on any vehicle I own. If that valve fails or is accidently opened, you are screwed. As far as stripped threads go, use a torque wrench and you will not have any problems.

Good Luck, Ed.
2005 GSF1200SZ
1983 GS750ED

[97RedBird]

Bad thing about bikes is the plug has a magnetic tip that must be cleaned during oil changes.  With the drain you never clean or even have a magnetic tip so the particals we hope would be filtered by the filter, but what if they don't?  

On my car I have a Fram valves.  They have caps that seal and the hose opens the valve like a schradder valve on your tires.

[Vlad]

Thank you guys. I have weighted the pros and cons pretty carefully and decided to give it a try. There is no way this valve is going to open by accident, and even if it gets stuck it will be easy to just replace it with the standard plug. I'm not too concerned with the absence of the magnet - I change oil and filter very regularly.

On the positive side, with the valve no torque wrench and/or washer replacement is necessary any more, i can easily check the oil quality and drain excess oil if I accidentaly overfill, just to mention a few less obvious benefits.

The valve other than Fujimoto (like the Fram RedBird mentioned) would be cool too, but I still need the plug dimensions so I don't order a wrong size or thread type.

[elofdahl]

 but I still need the plug dimensions so I don't order a wrong size or thread type.

The oil drain plug's thread size on my US version of the '03 GSF1200S is 14x1.25mm with a head that requires a 17mm wrench.

Eddie

[Vlad]

 but I still need the plug dimensions so I don't order a wrong size or thread type.

The oil drain plug's thread size on my US version of the '03 GSF1200S is 14x1.25mm with a head that requires a 17mm wrench.

Eddie

Thank you very much Eddie, that's the info I needed.

97RedBird, do you have a link for that Fram valve you are using or any info on where I can find it?

Cheers,
Vlad

[Vlad]

Update:

I looked up the Fram 'SureDrain' valve and finally found it in Toronto. Unfortunately I couldn't find the right thread and they were not as cheap as they are in the US ($25 canadian) so I eventually got tired of running arround and ordered the Fujimoto valve ($31US). Here is what I think about the designs after seeing them both:

Fram - Inobtrusive and well protected. It's not much bigger then the regular drain plug and the provided cap should protect it well from the elements. On the minus side, you have the cap and the hose with the special end to take care off, and both are relatively easy to lose or misplace.

Fujimoto - No caps, hoses or other attachment carry arround or unscrew. It can be opened or closed easily and without tools. Negative: it's bigger than Fram (not too much), especially the the version with nipple. It looks like it may be more succeptible to dirt, but that needs to be determined.

It's not very likely that either valve will ever open or leak by accident. If any malfunction happens you can always replace them with the plug.

My 10c...

[97RedBird]

Sorry, I purchased it at Wal-mart for my car.  It was between $15-20 at the time, but that was 4+ years ago.

[DaveG]

keep me posted as i have looked into this too. i live near toronto and viit buffalo frequently.
haven't found anything on the magnet since my first oil change.

my concern is that before i order the fomoto, i want to be 100% sure that i get the correct threads.


just put the b12 away for the winter so i can't take off the bolt to measure the threads per inch etc.

[jeepskate99]

keep me posted as i have looked into this too. i live near toronto and viit buffalo frequently.
haven't found anything on the magnet since my first oil change.

my concern is that before i order the fomoto, i want to be 100% sure that i get the correct threads.


just put the b12 away for the winter so i can't take off the bolt to measure the threads per inch etc.

I live in Buffalo!!  You put your bike away??  I rode mine to work today.  Its really nice out.

[Vlad]

keep me posted as i have looked into this too. i live near toronto and viit buffalo frequently.
haven't found anything on the magnet since my first oil change.

my concern is that before i order the fomoto, i want to be 100% sure that i get the correct threads.


just put the b12 away for the winter so i can't take off the bolt to measure the threads per inch etc.

I'll cetrtainly post here when I get the Fujimoto, although I may not be able to actually test it before spring too. As mentioned, Fram may be worth a look, cheaper and easier to find in auto stores once I confirm the thread dimensions. I'm planning on getting the microfiche CD so I don't have to guess or ask around ever again :).

[DaveG]

yes you can thank me for the nice weather.
inverse of washing car.
i put bike away and install snow tires on cage, therefore weather turns good.


Actually i was planniong a week's vacation in Cancun (glad i didn't get there) followed by a one week business trip to Germany so it was then or very late November.

[Vlad]

I got the Fumoto valve today. I ordered the type with a nipple, Part# F111N, thread size 14mm-1.25. The bike is winterized in the bottom of the garage, but I'll see if I can install it one of these days to confirm the thread size is right.

On first glance the thing looks a bit overengineered and it probably is. Its a ball valve design, the same that's frequently used for gas, steam lines and other sensitive applications. I'm pretty sure it will ever leak when closed, i.e. it will probably outlast the bike.

The little handle does not move easily and I don't think there's ever a slightest chance it will get open under any circumstances. However, there are ways to positively fix it in already locked position if you are really paranoid.

Update (Nov. 20):

The thread size 14mm-1.25 is right for my 2002 12S (just in case there are other sizes for Bandits, although I sincerely doubt it). However, the valve wouldn't screw all the way in because the protrusion in the crank case is getting in the way of the valve handle extension. From what I could see in the dark and cold garage there shouldn't be a problem if I shave off that piece of metal. It was obviously put there to protect the oil drain plug but God only knows from what. The exhaust is more exposed and much closer to the ground efectively protecting everything above it, including the plug. This is not a trials bike after all.

To be continued...

[Vlad]

I finally decided to get off my lazy butt and install the valve. It took about half an our of dremel-ing in a very uncomfortable position to shave enough of that "protector" crankcase ridge off. The valve fit just fine in the end and I'm quite happy with the results. No more fumbling with that hot drain plug again!

Conclusion: Fumoto drain valve is just fine but it requires some work to get it to fit on the Bandit. Fram solution wouldn't require any extra work and is cheaper and more widely available (Canadian Tire sells it here now - I couldn't find a distributor for Fumoto). Like I said, I'm quite happy with the Fumoto, but if I had to do it again would most probably go with Fram.

End of story.

[Vlad]

Here are the valve specs and link for those interested. The bike is 2002 1200S, double-check for others just in case:

www.fumotousa.com (the dealer list for US and Canada is there too)

Dimensions: 14mm-1.25

Part#: F-111 (without a nipple) or F-111N (with a nipple).

Again, it will take some grinding of that barrier protrusion in the crankcase to make the valve fit, but it's done with no ill effects.