Skid Plate

[sheadouglas]

I took my skid plate off due to some vibrations I was getting, and I was wondering does it really matter to have it on there. I guess it would matter more whenever you go off roading. That's my guess. I'm game for some opinions.

[mdsuave13]

well i would recommend leaving it on, therefore rocks, debris etc wont hit the motor. I can also assume its to help keep grime from caking up under the motor and frame...

Why did you want to take it off? stage 1 weight reduction?? :roll:

[sheadouglas]

I took my skid plate off due to some vibrations I was getting,

I had a screw under the bottom that became stripped, and because of that one screw, it was vibrating pretty badly. When I lock-tite the bike I may put it back on. It does get me to thinking when you said rocks and stuff could hit the engine. I may put it back on tomorrow when I lock-tite everything.

[ambassador]

Put it back on, if they didn't work then 90% of all enduros wouldn't have them, you dont wanna crack your crankcase... Go to Home Depot and buy a tap and dye kit, not that expensive and you may need it for other stripped bolts. Replace with the appropriate size bolt/screw and add a lock washer, your crankcase gets pretty hot and it's a better fix than loc-tite.. You can drill a hole in your skidplate if it bothers you that much to take it off to change oil, I rock my bike from side to side when draining oil to get all of it out, you'd be amazed how much more comes out... They also make High Temp rubber washers, throw a couple of them on there...

[sheadouglas]

where can you get those rubber washers?

[ambassador]

Home Depot, Lowe's or many auto part stores..

[IronFist]

Yep I just stripped the skid plate bolt too. Going to cut out a hole in the plate for oil changes. Get a simular bolt and use a different type of locktite. It's red permenant bolt gripper.

Got rid of my head light area squeek, the wires were rubbing against the fork. I carefully bundled the wires, and used a zip tie. No more squeek when I turn the bars. The wires still have enough slack, nothing is being pulled on when I turn the handle bars, and all my lights work. :)

[Jim]

I rock my bike from side to side when draining oil to get all of it out, you'd be amazed how much more comes out...

Do you push the kick starter as the manual recomends? It says to give it a few slow kicks to help get the oil out (make sure kill switch is off), but to me this seems like it would be a bad thing wouldnt it?

[ambassador]

I don't bother with the kick start as I don't have too much faith in the manual, who knows it may work... I do know exactly how much oil I put in and I get the same amount out when changing it...

[fatboy250]

When I put mine together, I took both the kickstart and the skid plate off. I knew the intended purpose for mine from the beginning (Roketard). I don't plan to stall in the mud(with a dead battery) or high center on a rock or stump any time real soon :roll: