Secure Oil Filler Plug Cap

[Enduro Doctor]

I saw someone selling a replacement oil filler plug that helps prevent theft of the stock plug/cap and also would help stop vandalism of the engine.

I thought that was a pretty smart idea and I had to prevent this from happening to me!

The little plug they were selling was not really expensive, but being the low-buck guy that I am, I decided to look around for a cheaper solution.

I found this:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa106/1971DT1E/VStrom/SecureOilFillerPlugPhoto.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa106/1971DT1E/VStrom/SecureOilFillerPlug.jpg

(No, it's not a Suzuki part. But it looks like it should be. ;))

Material: zinc plated steel.

If anyone is interested, I'll send you one for $7 (includes shipping to the lower 48.) If you don't want to re-use your o-ring, add an extra $0.50 for a new o-ring.

Two plugs: $13
Three plugs: $18
More than that, I'll have to figure out the shipping to save you some money.

You can send me an email to: EnduroDoctor@nc.rr.com (EnduroDoctor@nc.rr.com)

[greywolf]

I guess that would be effective against oil contaminating terrorists who can't afford wrenches. And I thought I was paranoid for using security screws and locking fasteners. At least it's less than 1/3 the cost of a Touratech cap that requires a "rare" 7mm hex wrench.

http://www.touratech-usa.com/shop/media2/01-040-0387-01-lg.jpg?-session=touratech:4B054E710f23918B89VNh40AF2D4

[Arne]

I guess that would be effective against oil contaminating terrorists who can't afford wrenches. And I thought I was paranoid for using security screws and locking fasteners. At least it's less than 1/3 the cost of a Touratech cap that requires a "rare" 7mm hex wrench.

http://www.touratech-usa.com/shop/media2/01-040-0387-01-lg.jpg?-session=touratech:4B054E710f23918B89VNh40AF2D4

The Touratech one is what I use. Overpriced? yes. But at least it protects against the occasional vandal that doesn't carry that 'rare' wrench. They make a locking oil filler cap as well but I carry enough keys as it is and don't want to risk loosing that key.

[tmcgee]

7mm is about the size of a 1/4 inch flat blade screwdriver. :rolleyes:

[causseur]

Seriously i would have never imagined to secure that part of my motorcycle.

[chris swann]

i read about the guy with the new bmw that bought one , then dropped the allen bit through the filler hole into his motor .

[JGL351]

I drilled a small hole in one end of the tab of the original filler plug. I use a piece of #16 house wire (black) to secure it to the frame. I does not stop anyone tampering with the oil but it does add another step and the plug cannot come out on its own.

[PeteW]

The Touratech one is what I use. Overpriced? yes. But at least it protects against the occasional vandal that doesn't carry that 'rare' wrench. They make a locking oil filler cap as well but I carry enough keys as it is and don't want to risk loosing that key.

VStroma.com sells those 7mm caps for $14.95.

The only hassle is the need to carry an extra 7mm spanner in the toolkit (along with their little tool) to be able to remove the cap yourself.

Pete

[tomatocity]

Carrying special tools on a V-Strom is simple compared to other motorcycles. The tray under the seat is a huge plus for things like that, plus registration, paper funnels, $20, and spare whatever. If you have a Sargent seat you have an additional storage unit.

Think I will get one of the flat 7mm caps because they are cool. ;)

[Cdn2Weelr]

Greetings fellow troopers

Happy to hear my paranoia is shared :rolleyes: I too investigated secure, after-market, replacement filler caps but decided to "simply" secure my stock cap. Since I now carry the special hex keys and had spare tamper-proof screws left over from earlier securing projects, required material was a scrap piece of annodized Al formed using a hacksaw, file, and drill.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s7/radw001/Cdn2Weelr/misc/Oilcaplock.jpg

[Big B]

Some of you honestly worry me.........

[JRShaw]

They worry me too.:confused:

[Warhammer]

Is this really a problem where you all live?:confused:

[jawmail]

I think some of you guys have more oil vandals in your area than we do here in the Chicago suburbs.

[mgdavis]

Not something I've ever worried about, but to each his own.

Careful about over-torquing that cap, it just designed to be finger tight. I'd be tempted to crank on it too much if I could put a wrench to it.

[janiceclanfield]

Damn! Now I won't be able to pour valve grinding compound into your oil!

Crap.

I'm gonna have to find some other kind of trouble to get into.



Spoilsports...
:mad:

[Cdn2Weelr]

The first step to healing is admitting one has a problem. What, me... security paranoia. Naaa... I just like building gizmos :cool:

[Mercenary]

The first step to healing is admitting one has a problem. What, me... security paranoia. Naaa... I just like building gizmos :cool:


If one of these caps was chrome, I'd buy it. My Wee needs a little chrome. NOT!

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeruqwx/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/cycles_usa_animated.gif R.I.P. (Retire In Peace, thanks for the great ride.)

[tomatocity]

Do any of the caps come with a high performance O-ring :rolleyes:

[seawolf06]

The bike I just purchased has the touratech cap. I honestly do not understand why anyone would want to vandalize your bike in that way, though.

[Warhammer]

The bike I just purchased has the touratech cap. I honestly do not understand why anyone would want to vandalize your bike in that way, though.

I guess you just aren't pissing off the right people. ;)

[10guy]

I have heard of a couple of people having sand or whatnot put in their crankcases through the oil filler, both were south of the border though. One was in Mexico and the other was in Central America (can't remember which country though).

[kenneth_moore]

The first step to healing is admitting one has a problem. What, me... security paranoia. Naaa... I just like building gizmos :cool:

Can you make a gizmo that keeps Mike from dumping the oil bottle I pee in into his Harley every time he comes over to my shop?

[OompaLoompa]

Greetings fellow troopers

Happy to hear my paranoia is shared :rolleyes: I too investigated secure, after-market, replacement filler caps but decided to "simply" secure my stock cap. Since I now carry the special hex keys and had spare tamper-proof screws left over from earlier securing projects, required material was a scrap piece of annodized Al formed using a hacksaw, file, and drill.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s7/radw001/Cdn2Weelr/misc/Oilcaplock.jpg

Hey, could you elaborate on how you did this and perhaps provide pics? did you have to punch a hole through the plastic tab on the stock filler? I like your solution the best because the other oil caps simply require a common hex wrench or socket. Someone who hates you enough to cash-for-clunkers style wreck your engine will likely have those tools as they're common. What type of hex wrench are you using now? Look like a 3 to me. A Torx screw would likely be the best, or there are these custom triangular screws that some electronics are made tamper proof by, like video game consoles. They require SSTs to open them.

[StromTech]

There are all kinds of vandals out there. I once tried to start my new 79 GS750 and then looked down to see 2 of the spark plug caps had been removed from the plug wires (twist off caps). Either someone was real cheap, was pissed with me or wanted to ground my bike so they could take it after I left for work by cage. Paranoid that someone was about to sreal my bike I quickly went an bought 2 new caps and rode the bike to work. Never had that problem again so I wrote it off to just some cheap basderd needing some plug caps.

We have locking gas caps to prevent crap getting dumped in the tank so why not protect the crankcase too. You never know whos lurking in the dark.

[Buzzzer]

I know this is an older thread but I have thought about this as well. To be honest I didn't give it a second thought until I saw a locking cap in the Touratech catalog, THEN starting wondering.

Guess my question is has anyone here, or does anyone know of anyone who has had their oil messed with on trips or local at random (taking into account they hadn't given anyone a reason)?

I am pretty security related with everything (just ask my wife) but I hadn't thought of locking the oil filler cap. Maybe locking the stem on tires would be a better idea as I think most people/kids think of the easier stuff first!

[greywolf]

In the 40+ years I've been reading motorcycle stuff in print and online, I've never read of a single case. Paranoia drives a lot of marketing. If somebody wants to screw with a bike, it's much easier and quicker to just push it over.

[10guy]

I've heard a couple of guys over on adv rider who claim to have had things dumped in the engine through the oil filler. One was on a klr and he had sand put in his engine. FWIW both guys had it happen South of here, one in Mexico and the other in either Mexico or Central America (can't remember which).

I still run a regular stock filler cap myself but if I were to go south I'd change it. A run north through Canada and into Alaska wouldn't warrant it though since I've never heard of an issue with it up that way.

[Black Lab]

The only "protective" thing I do to my oil filler cap is to protect it against myself from loosing it!

Story HERE (http://www.stromtrooper.com/showthread.php?t=44136).

[sweetcreek]

You guys can't be serious. How often does someone have their engine screwed with?
I've been riding for more years than most of you've been around. I've only heard of it one time, when a husband was getting even with a "biker" for hauling his old lady off into the sunset.

[mark444]

......times are a-changing. With all the influx of gang crap, illegal aliens, crackheads, and pizz-poor economy (and that's just in my household!!).........bad things happen all the time......not that any of those type people would want to screw with a bike, but you never know?? I'm not risking a ruined motor just because it does "not usually happen". Why do we have locking gas caps on the bike??

[greywolf]

People steal gas with a siphon. There is no real monetary advantage to being able to open an oil filler cap. The big influx is of paranoia and the ones taking advantage of it are the ones selling oil filler caps.

[Enduro Doctor]

When I first saw the idea to replace the plastic cap with something different, I thought it was a cool idea. I wasn't really paranoid or fearful that anyone would ever try to sabotage my engine. It just seemed like a interesting idea that could be done cheaply.

In the 8 months that this has been posted, only one person has asked me for one.


Everyone else must be buying the expensive one.

[Juan_Banjovy]

I have a locking oil filler cap from Touratech. I'll probably never need it but it's worth the $ to me knowing it's there. I got it for 2 reasons; 1. Like thieves, vandals think one step ahead & catch us off guard sometimes so I did the same. 2. A vandal already busted out my car window & 2 other car windows in the parking garage at work. That's also where I park my Wee.

[Muttley]

Not so worried about vandals putting something in, as some kid(?) just taking it because it wasn't nailed down.:biggrinjester:

[mark444]

I got one (guess I'm the "1", huh??) from EnduroDoc and like it........just alittle insurance that some punk isn't going to sabotoge my engine..........I can do that myself just by working on it!! There are other aftermarket companies that sell similar caps for different brand bikes, so it's not just Vstromers that are paranoid............:mrgreen: