Harri

Hi, first thing I would ask is, was it running before it was laid up for 2 years?

If like me, you love everything about the TT then this years stats are interesting. I knew the attendance this year was a little down and at 44,368 fans that's around 1.5% down. Still not bloomin' bad though. A total of £39.3m was spent which doing the maths means each fan spent on average around £886.The actual number of motorcycles at the TT over the week was 14,531 which was a 5.4% drop. Another stat I do like is Peter Hickman's lap of 135.452mph on a BMW S1000RR. That's 16m42s to negotiate a complete circuit. That is bonkers! Now,I have absolutely no clue about politics and even less about oncoming Brexit, but will Brexit have any impact on visitor numbers from European countries next year at the TT?

Hi all, after getting the screws and pin out of the oil sump with a magnet, and finding the spring still in it's hole, it was time today to check if the sensor actually works. New hex headed screws came today so I went to put one in and check the thread was the correct size. While I was doing this the screw dropped and stopped right on the edge of the hole that goes into the sump Rather than fumble with my fingers I got my magnet and touched it to the screw. Imagine my shock when the magnet just pushed the screw over the edge and into the sump I couldn't believe it after all the trouble getting the screws and pin out! I calmed down a bit and fished around in the sump with the magnet and came out with nothing. After a minute or two I realised something was wrong. I tested another screw with the magnet and it didn't stick! The friggin' screws aren't magnetic Doomed !!! After almost tears I had a thought. Suck the friggin' thing out! How? Well take a look at my little friend in the pic. After taping an attachment on the end which was practically the same shape as the hole, and putting it in the hole, I switched on and in only a second I heard the screw shoot down the hose into the hoover. A cloth is now in the hole and I tested the sensor, it still works and the neutral light lit up for the first time in who knows how long! My problem now is the sensor cannot be properly screwed in without removing the clutch! Guys, is this straight forward and could I meet any problems?

Hi guys, take a look at the pic and let me know what you think please.

Indicators at roundabouts The mind boggles sometimes when you see some moves! Barcud

Hey Rant, the thought entered my head as soon as I posted the reply to Mega. It's the 37mm I need to check as that is the widest point. And I think that part of the valve would also be level with the plate. A modification to the sump plate guard wouldn't be too difficult I guess. http://www.quickvalve.co.uk/F-111_dimensions.pdf (Just watching stage 5 Dakar.) Barcud

Hi Mega, I almost forgot about that option as I've also been dealing with the sensor problem, and the snapped bolt problem. With the valve option I would be relying on the araldite to give me a seal which I thought might be a weakness waiting to be exploited. Though working as a valve if it did seal then it would never have to be removed again. It would be a brilliant choice as a replacement for a sound plug and hole. I guess the araldite part of it is making me a touch nervous Something has also just sprang to my mind! The snapped bolt has been re-threaded before, so perhaps the sump hole and bolt should be checked in case it too has been re-threaded in the past? Barcud

Cheers Stu. This place is quite close to where I live. There are also kits with a mix of different sizes. I'd just want something that is quality and not cheap which would hopefully give me a better chance of getting things right. Surely it would be better/safer than the current plug replaced with ptfe again Barcud

I wonder if this will be okay? My sump/bolt is M14 1.25 and this would take things one size up to M15. http://www.motorsport-tools.com/sealey- ... vs615.html Barcud

Birthday greetings from me too Barcud

Stu, when you drilled and tapped your TL what did you upsize the thread and bolt to? I think your TL had an original size M14 with a 1.25 pitch, yes? If so that's the same size as my XF. Barcud

Cheers Bob, also looks as if he's run out of Brylcream

Hi Bob, I've been tempted to take a small drill bit to it to try and break it up. then tapping out another hole. But as pointed out it looks as if the hole has already been done before Barcud

Classic Mega, great pic. What does the 'Morgo' bit stand for? Barcud

Yup, right on brother I tried the magnet by the hole but didn't get anything so presumed it wasn't there. After reading your post I thought I'd have another look. I used a thin piece of wire to have a poke and YES, the oil was holding it back in place but out it came. My collection is complete Tomorrow I will have the new hex head screws and will see if the sensor actually works anyway. Saved me a whole lot of bother, thanks Stu

Cheers Phil. Something useful to remember for the future. I've tried soaking in plus gas, heating up, and heaving on an easy out. All to no avail! I think I'm in trouble with this one and not sure what to try next. Anyone got a next step? Barcud

'kin 'ell Stu, do you think I'm thick or what? If it makes you happy I will check the hole where the spring should be.

Well, I found my magnet today in one of my tool boxes The extending type that looks like a radio ariel. I wasted no time in getting it into my sump. And lo and behold, 2 screws appeared. I was quite happy as I now know they are not gonna cause a crunch of any kind. BUT, the spring remains undiscovered. ( as I mentioned the sump hole has something over it so a flush out would do no good.) I really wanted the spring as I need to know what size spring to refit with the pin. I have 2 hex headed screws with a longer shank ready to put the sensor in. Might just drill and wire them up as well.

Hi Mega, I have had my finger up the sump plug hole and there appears to be a filter over the hole so I don't think anything could be washed out anyway! Magnet on a stick is the next step. The magnet double double wired Barcud

There is so much stuff on the internet with guys having this sensor problem. This link will show you why I was concerned. I still havn't found the 2 screws and spring I'm gonna drop a magnet in around the sump and hopefully pick something up. I'm gonna try and refit the sensor and I have the size of the 2 missing screws. The spring that goes with the pin though I have absolutely no idea what size!? And I've not found any clues on the web! http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost ... ount=49541 Barcud

Have you guys heard about self tapping piggy back sump bolts ? A self tapping sump bolt firstly. As you are likely to remove and replace it a few times for oil changes and increase the chance of stripping the thread again, the tapped bolt stays in and into this goes another bolt that IS taken out when changes are needed. I don't know much about them so will google and check them out now. Barcud

I was wondering about that. I had no trouble with my socket it was just this one bolt was stubborn and eventually it snapped. A common fault with this bolt on this engine Barcud

Hi, yes I'm very surprised that the bolt hasn't budged yet! Not even in the slightest! I have internet links that show this bolt can be a problem. But the force I have been using with the easy out is quite a bit and I'm no slouch! I thought the easy out might have snapped by now If you look at the place where the bolt is, at the top of the clutch housing, would it be a big problem if it was left as it is? Barcud

Hi Mega, I couldn't re-centralise the bolt now as the hole is too big. The end of a file is a good tip. On a bolt this small and using the easy out, the problem is you are not able to get a good enough grip on the end of the easy with moles. The end is too small and eventually the grips slip! I will persevere but I do think this will end up a drilling out job which will be a pain in the butt Barcud