[MadDogXR]

So what do the road racing lads use to safety that dodgy drain plug? What about the drain tube itself? Is there a steel braided AN hose replacement? I would think that racers would be quite concerned about sudden loss of traction WFO while dragging a knee. Any racers or racing fabricators care to chime in here?

My racebike didn't have anything other that the stock hose clamp on it when I got it. You can safety wire hose clamps.

 

[MyEvilTwin]

MD: I had to look at the pics for a minute and then the very dim light bulb came on over my head..."Heeeeey - that's not an XR race bike!" I was curious as to what the Harley race bikes did for their bikes - if they had any issues with the rubber drain tube chafing/cracking and if there was a racing spec replacement for it, along with the drain plug itself.

 

[Phaedrus]

I've no problem with the rubber tube. It's used on other Harley models also.

On the XR, I wire the hose clamp like Maddog shows.

 

[MyEvilTwin]

Thanks gentlemen! Good input and a note to self to buy that Summit safety wire tool/wire kit.

 

[Mikeysduck]

I've been looking at "Oetiker" style clamps. If the tool fits the allowed space to crimp. I don't see a disadvantage. I've been using stainless safety wire, with no clamp, to hold my pick-up's transmission cooler hoses. They have been holding for around 5 years, no leaks. This is my standard fuel line method on non FI bikes too. I fold the wire in half, wrap the hose, then use safety wire pliers to tighten. The same process for off road hand grips.

The Oetiker clamps look clean. I got interested in these for my Norton project oil lines.

 

[MyEvilTwin]

Video needs subtitles, but I get the idea. I've seen these used in OEM apps, but have never known what they were. Looks like a great product to use where the crimp tool has access. I like the 't-bolt" style smooth clamps for various hoses since they don't chew up the hose like the standard worm clamps do, and they supposedly allow a bit more clamping force. Never seen one in a small enough size for the XR drain tube, but maybe that's where those newfangled Oetiker clamps come into play. Thanks for the info!

 

[geno]

If you are chewing up hoses with worm clamps you are over tightening them.

 

[Chipmaker]

Wow, this is an old thread but I ran into this problem the other day. Developed an oil leak. Oil was dripping off my drain plug. Cleaned the area and ran the bike. The drain tube was leaking where it attaches to the oil tank. ABOVE the clamp. The hose had end cracks above the clamp. I removed the stock crimp style clamp and replaced it with a very good, heavy duty hose clamp. Cleaned again, ran bike, no leak. I seen the hose for sale at HD, it was about $13-14 bucks. Looked at Ronnie’s HD and they had it for about the same price (a little cheaper). It arrived a few days later and I’m waiting to change the oil to replace it. The hose is still available and at a very cheap price. My bike is an ‘09 with 28,000 miles. I think everyone that plans on keeping their XR should get one while that can. Cheap insurance.

 

[CT XR rider]

Good advice, think I’ll order one and have it on hand for when I next do an oil change.
thanks
Roy

 

[XRMark]

$13-14 for an oil drain tube and I just paid over $40 for 2 canoe clips for my air filter cover!

 

[old dog]

An old thread i just saw but mine started cracking late last year and finally developed a small oil leak. I finally ordered the replacement hose from Harley the other day. They do crack with age and it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace this hose at the next oil change. These bikes are all getting old and this hose apparently doesn't age well. It seems to be made from a softer rubber compound that the regular oil line hoses to the engine. The replacement hose is cheap and it's the same part as a regular XL hose. I suspect if this hose let go going down the road the result would be spectacular and you might wind up on a Motorcycle Fail Videos Youtube channel somewhere.