Large sump plug material.

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APRRSV

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I am wondering what metal the original large sump plugs for Commandos were made from. Also dis the metal change going from pre-Commando bikes such as Atlas and hybrids through to the last of the 850's?

I see RGM, for example, sells stainless or plugs or "plated" plugs. I also note that the plug on my N15CS has a copper color to the hex head portion, at least.

Any info would be appreciated. Also, any opinions on using a stainless plug in the alloy crankcase?

Ed
 
They were made of brass
I wouldn't hesitate to use stainless steel
 
74 steel also, have seen brass ones on ebay so there was a change of material.
 
baz said:
They were made of brass
I wouldn't hesitate to use stainless steel
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Bathed in oil, no galvanic worry, BUT, beware of the poor quality threads on aftermarket bits. Proceed with caution.
 
The "as far as I know original" P11 sump plug I have is brass. Mine has a copper crush gasket that has been weeping for 50 years. I wouldn't worry about installing a quality stainless steal sump plug.
 
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Schwany said:
The "as far as I know original" P11 sump plug I have is brass. Mine has a copper crush gasket that has been weeping for 50 years. I wouldn't worry about installing a quality stainless steal sump plug.
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Easily cured with Loctite 518 on that crush gasket.
 
concours said:
Easily cured with Loctite 518 on that crush gasket.
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Probably so, but I have to remove my exhaust to get that plug out, as well as lay on my back to do it. My 2:1 exhaust runs right under the sump plug.

When I had that exhaust made, I didn't think far enough ahead to realize I might get older, and not be so limber. It's not a drops of oil on the floor leak, so I keep putting off doing much about it.
 
My street tracker is a pain, part of frame in the way to remove steel plug, got pissed one day and welded a 3/4 nut on it. Now can remove with box end wrench! My 68 Atlas has a brass plug. All others 69 up are steel.
 
I tried to drill the steel plug on my 850 motor, so I could lock-wire it. It is very hard, so I just looped the wire around and across it and wound it up tight. One day I might make another attempt at drilling one of it's corners.
 
acotrel said:
I tried to drill the steel plug on my 850 motor, so I could lock-wire it. It is very hard, so I just looped the wire around and across it and wound it up tight. One day I might make another attempt at drilling one of it's corners.
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Mine drilled easily. I added a magnetic drain plug to it.
 
Atlas, N15, and P11 had sump plugs made of brass. '68-'71 and '73-'75 850's had plated steel sump plugs. ('72-'73 750 did not use the filtered sump plug).
 
Ron L said:
Atlas, N15, and P11 had sump plugs made of brass. '68-'71 Commando and '73-'75 850's had plated steel sump plugs. ('72-'73 750 did not use the filtered sump plug). '68-'69 models may have used a mix of brass and steel plugs.
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