Oil Filler Cap

[2017EX_imp]

I am in the process of ordering on of the awesome retro "knurl" oil filler caps listed in the members products section from Greg. In reading the responses in that thread, I noticed some members expressing concern about being able to unscrew it without the "ear" to grasp, because of arthritic hands and fingers. I came across an aluminum cap by Motosculpt on EBay for about $16 shipped, that has grab ears, safety wire holes, and a 6mm allen key receiver hole in the center. So, this cap can be removed with fingers, or allen key. It is available in several anodized colors, including black, red, blue, and gold, with a new O ring included. Motosculpt caps are also listed on Amazon, but I could not find the same part number as listed on Ebay for our CB1100s there. At the moment my hands/fingers are fine, but if I had arthritis problems as some others do, this cap would be my second choice to Gregs awesome cap. As a side note, I keep a 3.5" square of old inner tube rubber in my tool box. It supplies a flexible grip with the right friction to grab things like Gregs cap if necessary, and plastic press on/pull off bolt covers. It is not thick enough to use with pliers to prevent plier marks, and is just for use with the hands. https://www.ebay.com/itm/MotoSculpt...ac2d:g:jLcAAOxyhS9Tfswd&vxp=mtr#vi-ilComp

 

[Lord Popgun]

Nice find 2017EX!

 

[2017EX_imp]

I like to make small "detail" changes that: do not change to overall stock look of the bike, are completely reversible should I ever have or need to go back to completely stock, and are what I consider to be small improvements. I am not a fan of plastic in general on engine parts, so finding something I liked to replace the stock plastic oil filler cap was a no brainer for me. At the beginning of the thread, I listed a link to a Motosculpt black anodized aluminum cap ( blue, red, and gold also available ). I also got in one of Forum members Greg's Knurl caps, and a chrome aluminum cap ( blue, red, and gold avaiable too ) https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome-CNC...RK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 . This latest cap is a close match to the profile of the original cap. I settled on the "Knurl" cap, second choice the chrome stock look cap, and third the Motosculpt cap. The Motosculpt cap has the highest profile, and has an Allen key hole in the center, so it may be a good choice for members with arthritic fingers/hands. That said, I have found no problem removing the Knurl cap. For those that want a more stock looking cap, the latest find of the chrome cap might fit the bill. Regardless of which cap I used, the rubber "O" ring was lightly lubed with engine oil prior to installation, the same way we all lube the rubber gasket on an oil filter before installing. Since the cap need only be snug, slightly compressing the "O" ring to seal, the light film of oil prevents sticking. Picture comparisons attached.

 

[the Ferret]

I kinda like that chrome one

 

[Banned_imp]

I like the blue one on e-bay, from a cursory look it is relatively close to the Spencer Blue paint.

Decisions....

 

[17-CB-002]

Can an analog thermometer be attached to the knurled cap?
Has anyone tried one with a thermometer?

 

[SportsterDoc]

Can an analog thermometer be attached to the knurled cap?
Has anyone tried one with a thermometer?

There is a shield over the clutch plates...preventing a probe going into the sump or hitting the plates. The reading would be only from splash, likely much lower reading than actual oil temperature.

I used a dipstick thermometer on both Sportsters to assist dialing in the carb and lowering the operating temperature. Nice to have.

 

[Lord Popgun]

Can an analog thermometer be attached to the knurled cap?
Has anyone tried one with a thermometer?

Alain, I have one of these: http://www.trailtech.net/732-ef8-5400

And here is the link to all of the fin sensor TTO meters: http://www.trailtech.net/digital-gauges/tto?p=2

They have really expensive meters too. These are only around 40 bucks.

Looks like they changed the case a tad. My model number is 72-EF8. Now it looks to be 732-EF8.

This has a fin sensor probe that you plug into a slot on the oil cooler. I got the 8mm sensor, but the 10 might work fine. Don’t take my word as law though, cut a piece of plastic or whatever and try yourself before ordering a 10mm one.

 

[17-CB-002]

Thanks Pop Gun,
Will check it out