skid plate - uh oh

[woodlandsprite]

So. While I was doing my oil change today, I took the skidplate off and while doing so, the front mounting bracket also came off :ohno:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7622/27119311886_74945740f6.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HjryAS)

here you can see where it was mounted to the bike:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7706/26878191080_29e35f5f2f.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GX8KMA)

I'm thinking my options are:
1) Leave the skidplate off
2) Find someone to weld the bracket back on
3) Grind off the other brakets and install the beefier skid plate

*sigh*

as for the oil change, it went smoothly, though with the center stand deployed, I could not get my oil pan exactly under the drain hole so I got oil all over the floor *again*.

The oil looked dark to me, and there was a fair bit of sludgy stuff on the drain plug, but didn't notice any sizeable chunks. Oil strainers looked pretty much clean of debris, there may have been one or two bits of not sure what on the oil strainers, but I was unable to identify what they were. This was only my 2nd oil change at 1000 miles but I'm hoping to churn through the next 1000 miles much faster now that I am more comfortable riding.

[CSaddict]

Replace it with the CSC aluminum skid. Half the work is already done! Click on my blog for install pics.

[detours]

I would just leave it off unless you intend to take it on any dirt. The aluminum skid plate is very nice and keeps the front of the engine clean, but it's overkill for most riders.

[SpudRider]

If you want to achieve clean oil changes, put the bike on the side stand, and don't get the CSC skid pate. ;)

[BlackBike]

Rx3 'ers, what is going on with the plate. Could a large access hole be drilled to accommodate a socket and also to allow the flow of oil through this hole . Thinking of , say a
1 1/4" to 1 1/2 " hole saw. I can't see what's going on when its mounted unless there is a frame causing issue, so just an idea.

[BlackBike]

Oh, OK I see the drain plug is not straight down but looking off to the side, got ya.

[woodlandsprite]

If you want to achieve clean oil changes, put the bike on the side stand, and don't get the CSC skid pate. ;)

Ha! I think you mentioned the side stand last time also. Will note this in the maintenance sheet so I don't forget next time

[woodlandsprite]

I would just leave it off unless you intend to take it on any dirt. The aluminum skid plate is very nice and keeps the front of the engine clean, but it's overkill for most riders.

I will probably leave it off for now but I intend to take the bike on dirt eventually

[SpudRider]

Rx3 'ers, what is going on with the plate. Could a large access hole be drilled to accommodate a socket and also to allow the flow of oil through this hole . Thinking of , say a
1 1/4" to 1 1/2 " hole saw. I can't see what's going on when its mounted unless there is a frame causing issue, so just an idea.

The messy oil changes are not caused by the oil flowing from the magnetic drain plug. The mess arises from the oil flowing out of the two oil screen plugs, and the oil filter cap. ;)

[woodlandsprite]

The messy oil changes are not caused by the oil flowing from the magnetic drain plug. The mess arises from the oil flowing out of the two oil screen plugs, and the oil filter cap. ;)

in my case it was from the oil flowing from the magetic drain plug. the oil pan bumped into my center stand and the flow hit the edge of the pan. If I had shim'd the pan so it could get further under the drain hole, everything would have been fine. As soon as I saw it hit the edge I had some delay while I sat there astounded I munged it up again, but then grabbed the pan and lifted it up and it was able to catch the flow without hitting the lip. Hopefully that makes sense - it's because the centerstand slopes towards the front of the bike when deployed.

also Spud is correct that the oil screen plugs and oil filter cap will dump right into your skid plate ;)

[pyoungbl]

Woodlandsprite, if you get the CSC bash plate I'd recommend two mods before you mount it. The plate has a really tight fit on the upper right and along the right side. I'd cut some of that off:
https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2016-Zongchen-RX3/i-2PCCf5N/0/M/DSCF0113-M.jpg
You could even be more aggressive than my marks.
The second suggestion is on the left side I'd cut a hole to give access to the plug you need to remove in order to find TDC so you can set the valve lash. I discovered this after this photo was taken and I have yet to make this mod because my mill is dedicated to another project.

As for taking the plate off to change oil...I did not. The strainers will drop oil onto the plate and you will have a bit of mess but IMHO that's not a big deal. I installed a quick drain valve so dropping the oil is fairly painless and clean.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2016-Zongchen-RX3/i-vBSjjg2/0/M/DSCF0173-M.jpg
If you go this route make sure you get the 16mm version.

[rtking]

WoodlandSprite, an easy way to avoid getting oil all over the floor is to use some aluminum foil. Make the aluminum foil into a "V" channel so it will reach before the drain plug and into your oil collection container. (I usually fold Aluminum foil over twice so I have 4 layers... it's thicker/stronger that way.) Seems to work pretty well for me with a minimum of mess. My wife isn't so keen as I used up the last of the aluminum foil the last oil change. :hehe:

As for the skid plate... I'd leave it off for now until you can take your bike to a muffler shop. They should be able to tack weld that back on for a few bucks - maybe $5-10, if that. Or you could use a couple of stainless steel radiator clamps to hold the bracket in its original position as a temporary fix and then re-attach the skid plate.

[Juanro]

My skid plate front mount broke twice. First it died of natural causes, as yours. I welded it ( a crappy job, I admit ) and the going over a trail I hit a large rock and it broke again. I fixed it on the spot using a rubber piece (from an old inner tube) and some zip ties. Results we're better than expected, in fact I noted a reduction in noise, some metallic tingle was now gone, so I leave it like that.

[woodlandsprite]

Rtking thanks for both tips. As I was watching it spill on the floor, my brain was trying to decide if I had anything nearby to redirect the flow :) also thanks for the radiator clamp suggestion and the direction towards a muffler shop. I had no idea where to potentially take it for a re-weld.

Juanro: I had contemplated zip ties also. Do you have a photo of your repair?

Pyoungbl: thank you for your suggestions! I haven't access to a grinder, but if I decide to upgrade in the future, I will be sure to reference your suggestions!

[SpudRider]

...The second suggestion is on the left side I'd cut a hole to give access to the plug you need to remove in order to find TDC so you can set the valve lash. I discovered this after this photo was taken and I have yet to make this mod because my mill is dedicated to another project...

The easiest and most foolproof method of setting the piston at TDC on the compression stroke is to align the marks on the cam sprocket with the inspection holes on the rocker cover. :tup: Using this method you don't need to lie on the ground, and you are always assured of having the piston set for the compression stroke.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Zong%20Engine%20Rebuild%2051687%20Miles/Camshaft%20Timing_zpskghfuotu.jpg

I never use the inspection hole on the stator cover any more. ;) If you use the inspection ports on the rocker cover, you don't need to modify the CSC skid plate on the left side.

[BlackBike]

http://cdn3.volusion.com/qsgah.sptja/v/vspfiles/photos/CSC-3002-2.jpg?1447243498

http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/QUICK-CHANGE-OIL-DRAIN-PLUG-KIT-p/csc-3004.htm

I would cough up the $60 and make it clean and simple for the duration. By the way, buy the new cool skid plate while your at it. ;)

[pyoungbl]

or the EZ Drain for $23.95
http://www.oildrainvalve.net/?gclid=CIfry5Hz7cwCFRNZhgodsUAOkQ

[AZRider]

Similar thing happened to me Sprite, except that only half of the bracket broke off. I used an appropriately sized hose clamp, in your case use 2, and it's stayed on for thousands of miles. I can post a pic if you need.

[woodlandsprite]

Similar thing happened to me Sprite, except that only half of the bracket broke off. I used an appropriately sized hose clamp, in your case use 2, and it's stayed on for thousands of miles. I can post a pic if you need.

Thanks George, if you could post a photo so I can ensure what I'm visualizing is correct I'd very much appreciate it.

[AZRider]

Thanks George, if you could post a photo so I can ensure what I'm visualizing is correct I'd very much appreciate it.

Hope this works for you Sprite. Mine broke at the 90° angle next to the bolt hole.

[woodlandsprite]

Thanks George, it's as I visualized. Guess I'll add hose clamps to my list for the hardware store!

[kumatae]

Since I don't do much dirt I just leave mine off. For me the side bolt is the issue on the skid plate. Accidentally over tighten and need somehow to fix my mistake but haven't gotten around to it.

[madsocial]

Ha! I think you mentioned the side stand last time also. Will note this in the maintenance sheet so I don't forget next time

My husband put the bike on the center stand during today's oil change, and I made it put it down. The side stand was perfect. I too thank Spudd for that! Also, we took the skid plate off as well, just because I am OCD about things being clean. Did you over torque the screws? I didn't notice a bracket on my bike like you had on yours woodlandsprite. Also, I noticed your oil eye port is different as well. Mine says High and low, and yours looks like the photos in all the tutorials. My plug looked different too. Your bike is a 2016? right?

[woodlandsprite]

Your bike is a 2016? right?

Embarrassingly, mine is a 2015. I've had it a year but I only learned how to ride last year so the miles have been slow. I don't believe I over torqued the bolt the last time I had the skid plate off, and it wasn't hard to loosen. Given the other reports of brackets breaking this is not super rare.

[madsocial]

haha...no, not embarrassing. lol, you are doing great.

[Ron B]

The redneck in me just left it on and let the little bit of oil drip in it then shoved a shop rag in there and wiped it out , then took the hose pipe to it.

[rjmorel]

For those contemplating leaving skid plates off let me tell you my sad story. On a trip last year to Yosemite from Washington State on my Honda NC700x while going by Lake Tahoe through road construction my front tire kicked up a metal rod that poked a pencil size hole in the engine side case that leaked oil. Not a big hole but enough to stop me over night delaying my trip half a day. I never thought I needed a skid plate if I was just riding on pavement. Yes a freak thing and probably won't ever happen again. But It does occasionally happen and at the worse time, At least I learned how to patch said hole with some 2 part quick epoxy. I'm thinking cheap insurance for the little inconvenience they cause when changing the oil. Just saying. rj

[BlackBike]

For those contemplating leaving skid plates off let me tell you my sad story. On a trip last year to Yosemite from Washington State on my Honda NC700x while going by Lake Tahoe through road construction my front tire kicked up a metal rod that poked a pencil size hole in the engine side case that leaked oil. Not a big hole but enough to stop me over night delaying my trip half a day. I never thought I needed a skid plate if I was just riding on pavement. Yes a freak thing and probably won't ever happen again. But It does occasionally happen and at the worse time, At least I learned how to patch said hole with some 2 part quick epoxy. I'm thinking cheap insurance for the little inconvenience they cause when changing the oil. Just saying. rj

I got a good stinger rock on the left leg kicked up from the oncoming truck yesterday morning. S#%t happens.

[Rodtheviking]

I've had Midas weld up a bracket for me before, I second the muffler shop idea.

[dpl096]

I got a good stinger rock on the left leg kicked up from the oncoming truck yesterday morning. S#%t happens.

Those'll make you dribble piss ....damn they hurt!