My Tool

emu · 04-07-2009, 07:00 PM

... Why oh why would Kawasaki put slots in the oil cap and the final drive filler cap? That has to be if not the only ...at least the most irritating feature on the Nomad. Since the beginning of (my) time with the Nomad I have used all sorts of things to fit the slot without damaging the caps. Big screw drivers can dent and chip the cap and have it looking shabby in no time. So a specialty tool to meet and exceed the requirements of both caps was needed. So after years of gerry-rigging odd ball pieces of scrap metal ... I wanted a tool ... A real tool for the job.

While killing time at a Canadian Tire store, I was perusing the tool section when I noticed the 7 inch steel wrecking bars. The size and shape ... with a little modification ... was perfect. Using a bench grinder I rounded and ground the claws at both ends to fit the slot of the two caps. The tool fits the caps like a glove and fills the whole slot area. The hooked end gives leverage to remove the final drive cap with ease. ... Tomorrow I'll solve global warming or faster than light space travel ... But for now, I'll just play with my tool ...

paul · 04-07-2009, 07:35 PM

While playing with your tool, try to stay away from open windows, and , for that matter open flames.

BUT, for goodness sake, BE CAREFUL PUTTING YOUR TOOL IN THE GRINDER!!

strobe · 04-07-2009, 07:37 PM

Was a bit concerned about the subject

I use a wood chisel...fits perfectly and does not damage the cap, and I had it here, so no shopping required. :)

dkdixie · 04-07-2009, 07:38 PM

place a cotton towel over the filler cap, insert large screwdriver, works pretty well!

04-07-2009, 07:43 PM

I use a Loonie or a Toonie to tighten the filler cap, works excellent. I always just snug it up hand tight.

**ringadingh** · 04-07-2009, 08:06 PM

I made this from a piece of 1/2" rod and a large flatwasher. it works great.

dabull · 04-07-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "dk dixie"

place a cotton towel over the filler cap, insert large screwdriver, works pretty well!

thats what i was thinkin....

pagemastr · 04-07-2009, 08:29 PM

I had my bags off for the first time cleaning the bike a couple days ago. I looked at that and thought the same thing, that a screwdriver would mess that up as it is probably an Aluminum cap and it would damage easily.

Thanks everyone for the tips on how not to mess it up!

oldbikers · 04-07-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

I made this from a piece of 1/2" rod and a large flatwasher. it works great.

Looks just like mine

reaper · 04-07-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strobe

Was a bit concerned about the subject

I use a wood chisel...fits perfectly and does not damage the cap, and I had it here, so no shopping required. :)

NOOOOOO!!!!!!!! not a woodworking chisel
Oh, be still, my woodworking heart

**coacha** · 04-07-2009, 08:45 PM

I use a big @ss screw driver and a pair of channel locks...no, I don't over tighten, just easier to grip that way.

ndbigfish · 04-07-2009, 09:06 PM

I use a large washer in both caps. If the cap is a little tight then a flat blade screwdriver angled through the hole will give adequate leverage to open it. The washer then goes in my windshield bag and can be used out on the road when I ride. The washer has a diameter of 1.750" or 44.45 mm. I keep a second in my tool chest.

mrfuni · 04-07-2009, 09:07 PM

try a large flat washer..works for me

pirate · 04-07-2009, 09:24 PM

I too was concerned when I read the title to this thread. Whew, I can breathe easier now!

rickmeister56 · 04-07-2009, 09:32 PM

i took the easy way out. i purchased a screw in cap from dennis kirk made by cobra for the crankcase.

04-07-2009, 07:00 PM	#1
emu Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 127	My Tool ... Why oh why would Kawasaki put slots in the oil cap and the final drive filler cap? That has to be if not the only ...at least the most irritating feature on the Nomad. Since the beginning of (my) time with the Nomad I have used all sorts of things to fit the slot without damaging the caps. Big screw drivers can dent and chip the cap and have it looking shabby in no time. So a specialty tool to meet and exceed the requirements of both caps was needed. So after years of gerry-rigging odd ball pieces of scrap metal ... I wanted a tool ... A real tool for the job. While killing time at a Canadian Tire store, I was perusing the tool section when I noticed the 7 inch steel wrecking bars. The size and shape ... with a little modification ... was perfect. Using a bench grinder I rounded and ground the claws at both ends to fit the slot of the two caps. The tool fits the caps like a glove and fills the whole slot area. The hooked end gives leverage to remove the final drive cap with ease. ... Tomorrow I'll solve global warming or faster than light space travel ... But for now, I'll just play with my tool ... Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

04-07-2009, 07:35 PM	#2
paul Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: magnolia, tx Posts: 1,500	My Tool While playing with your tool, try to stay away from open windows, and , for that matter open flames. BUT, for goodness sake, BE CAREFUL PUTTING YOUR TOOL IN THE GRINDER!! __________________ The beatings will stop when morale improves.
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04-07-2009, 07:37 PM	#3
strobe Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,200	My Tool Was a bit concerned about the subject I use a wood chisel...fits perfectly and does not damage the cap, and I had it here, so no shopping required. :) __________________ Cory 2013 Honda GL1800 Goldwing 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 (for sale) 2007 Honda ST1300 (sold) 2005 Kawasaki Nomad (sold) 2004 Suzuki Hayabusa (sold) http://www.strobel.ws VBA #01021 VROC #29389
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04-07-2009, 07:38 PM	#4
dkdixie Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Blairsville in N. GA mountains Posts: 1,623	My Tool place a cotton towel over the filler cap, insert large screwdriver, works pretty well! __________________ Dick Campbell Blairsville, GA 2008 Red & Black Nomad 1600 (retired) 2009 1900 Yamaha Stratoliner (retired) 2013 1900 Yamaha Stratoliner 2018 CanAm RT Limited Spyder (Sold) 2014 Goldwing Roadsmith Red Trike (Sold) 2019 Goldwing DCT Roadsmith Copper & Black Trike VBA #243 Darkside #115 Patriot Guard Rider American Legion Rider
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04-07-2009, 07:43 PM	#5
Guest Posts: n/a	My Tool I use a Loonie or a Toonie to tighten the filler cap, works excellent. I always just snug it up hand tight. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

04-07-2009, 08:06 PM	#6
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	My Tool I made this from a piece of 1/2" rod and a large flatwasher. it works great. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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04-07-2009, 08:29 PM	#8
pagemastr Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 676	My Tool I had my bags off for the first time cleaning the bike a couple days ago. I looked at that and thought the same thing, that a screwdriver would mess that up as it is probably an Aluminum cap and it would damage easily. Thanks everyone for the tips on how not to mess it up!
	0

04-07-2009, 08:45 PM	#11
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	My Tool I use a big @ss screw driver and a pair of channel locks...no, I don't over tighten, just easier to grip that way. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
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04-07-2009, 09:06 PM	#12
ndbigfish Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Braunfels, Texas Posts: 1,162	My Tool I use a large washer in both caps. If the cap is a little tight then a flat blade screwdriver angled through the hole will give adequate leverage to open it. The washer then goes in my windshield bag and can be used out on the road when I ride. The washer has a diameter of 1.750" or 44.45 mm. I keep a second in my tool chest. __________________ Brik VBA #1047 07 Electra Glide Ultra (43,300 & counting) 03 Nomad - 37,972 (traded 5/6/13) 99 Nomad - Only a memory since 4/27/13
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04-07-2009, 09:07 PM	#13
mrfuni Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Naples Florida Posts: 1,301	My Tool try a large flat washer..works for me
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04-07-2009, 09:24 PM	#14
pirate Sr. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,865	My Tool I too was concerned when I read the title to this thread. Whew, I can breathe easier now!
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04-07-2009, 09:32 PM	#15
rickmeister56 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: offerle kansas Posts: 154	My Tool i took the easy way out. i purchased a screw in cap from dennis kirk made by cobra for the crankcase.
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