1977 gs750 oil pan removal

[mortis]

Hi,

I recently bought a 1977 gs750 and wanted to change out the oil. Long story short I end up stripping the oil plug. I'm now trying to get the oil pan off the bike so that it can be fixed or replaced. I've taken all the bolts out of the bottom of it, but it won’t drop off.

Any ideas on getting this oil pan off?
Is there a certain place I need to pry?
Does the oil plug or the oil filter cover bolts need to be taken out?
Something I'm missing?

Additional info:
The bike was running fine.
It has about 17,500 miles on it.

[chiphead]

It's been a while since I've done this so first, be careful. Make sure, make sure make sure every bolt is out. Lay on your back and squeeze your head under the bike, use a mirror, tip it on its side, I don't care what you do but make sure you got 'em all. I don't remember having to take the oil filter cover off but if it looks like it should, yank that baby off of there. Please do not pry. You're working with aluminum cases and prying on them anywhere is a real bad idea. Once you are sure all the bolts are out, take a plastic headed mallet and start tapping around the vertical edges of tha pan. Work it. Keep tapping-not hammering. It should eventually loosen and pop. Be cafreful will ya?

[mortis]

I've been doing this for an hour now. Any other ideas? Is there any way to pull down on the thing?

[renobruce]

Mine was stuck pretty good because of the old original gasket material. I pried ever so gently on the back of the pan.. towards the rear of the bike. If I remember, there was a spot back there where I could get a good "grip" on the edge. Please be careful!!

[mortis]

Success! I finally got it off. Should I replace the gasket while I'm in here? Seems to be stuck to the inside and I'm afraid it may rip if I attempt to remove it.

also, should I use locktite on the pan bolts when I put it back on?

any other advice for when I'm putting this back together or is it pretty straight forward?

Thanks to everyone that has helped

[ericox]

I usually use the "black tacky tube of silicone stuff" (cant remember the name) for a gaket. Can be messy but it works. Make sure all the old gasket is off.

Stay away from the locktight IMO, and dont overtorque the bolts (Alum. strips easy).

Good luck.

[renobruce]

Look up in there and make sure your oil strainer is clean. You shouldn't need locktite, as the bolts are in oil. A new gasket is only $8.00. Clean everything out real good.

[bgmart450]

Yes, I would replace the gasket. Shouldn't be very much $$ and you'll save the trouble of having to clean up oil drips

I just replaced my oil sump cover too, think my gasket was between 5-10$ IIRC. Only bad part is being an old bike you might have to order it, so you'll have to wait a few days.

[chiphead]

Don't use loctite! If anything, coat the first one or two threads with anti sieze but DON'T get any on the gasket surfaces. Don't use any sealer and make sure both surfaces are as clean and dry as a baby's as*. Any sealer you put on will act as a lube to let the gasket slip if under pressure. Particualrly true of the valve cover gaskets. Use a cross pattern when you tighten the bolts and tighten only to lightly snug then go back and re-cross and tighen them to where they are supposed to be. And replace the gasket. Never re-use old gaskets. Take your time and clean the surface gently with a razor blade, then use a fine whet stone lubricated in a solvent like Safe T Clean and gently dress both surfaces. Make sure there is absolutely no old gasket anywhere. And make sure it is dry when you put it together.
Nice job by the way and be patient. You don't want to do this again.
Good luck.

[mortis]

Great! Thanks for the advice.