GL 1800 magnetic oil plug

[ghmpm]

Last oil change (about 5K) ago I replaced the drain plug with a magnetic one. I usually use these on all my motorcycles as they are cheap insurance. Usually I find a few metal particles on these. My Goldwing has 38K on it and I usually run Rotella T 15W-40 oil. In this case there were no metal particles at all! I guess this is a good sign.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Magnetic-Drain-Plug-Crush-Washer-for-76-thru-14-GL1800-Gold-Wing-Goldwing-/111276942106?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19e89f631a&vxp=mtr

This is similar to the one I installed. Was wondering if anyone else uses these?

[Lone Ranger]

Yes, I have one. Check the end and check the bottom of the oil pan when disposing of the old oil.

[MMR]

In the past...I normally would not have used these magnetic drain plugs on any of my 3 previous GL1800 Wings. But with this F6B I decided I would go ahead and order them, and use them. I "did" use them for the first 5 or so oil changes, then switched back to the OEM drain plugs. The magnetic drain plugs work fine...and it is nice to see "if" there are any metal particles on the magnet (never found anything worth worrying about), but the reason I changed back to the OEM drain plugs was simply because of the head of the drain plug, and being able to use a 17mm wrench on it, versus the 13mm head on the magnetic drain plug. I had also installed one at the Rear Diff drain...and eventually changed it back to the OEM plug too. After so many oil changes, and not finding any "break-in" filings or particles in the oil, I now prefer to have the larger head on the plug, to use the 17mm wrench, for a better purchase when loosening or tightening the drain plug.

[Cruiseman]

I bought one years ago and never installed it!

[JGDJR]

I have used them on several Motorcycles I own...then I found this one...This magnet is by far the best I have ever seen...

http://www.drainplugmagnets.com/hondamotorcycles.php

John

[ghmpm]

I guess my point was that with a 5000 mile change on a 38K bike I was amazed at finding NO metal shavings on my plug. Either the Rotella is THAT good or the bike is so nicely broken in that no loose shavings are in the oil... I will probably install one in the final drive as well; the oil was disgusting the last time I changed it.

[MMR]

I guess my point was that with a 5000 mile change on a 38K bike I was amazed at finding NO metal shavings on my plug. Either the Rotella is THAT good or the bike is so nicely broken in that no loose shavings are in the oil... I will probably install one in the final drive as well; the oil was disgusting the last time I changed it.

I think it is a combination of both......the Rotella is THAT good...and...the bike's engine is so nicely broken in...that no loose shavings are in the oil. Like others on this forum, I have been doing this for a long time, and for many, many miles. I have yet to ever find abnormal debris in the oil of any of my bike's engines. That is one of the beauties of the Honda Goldwing engine.

And, when you said " I was amazed at finding NO metal shavings on my plug"....you should not be amazed at this....you should expect this to be the condition every time. It is normal.

Of course the fluid from the Rear Diff "looked" disgusting the last time you changed it. It is a completley different kind and type of fluid, and it will never come out looking as nice as it went in, or as nice as the engine oil does. Some folks leave their Rear Diff fluid in there for a long time.....and that is okay for them...but not me. I will change mine every 15K miles.

[clayusmcret]

I've got the magnetic oil drain plug installed and have a rear diff plug ready to swap on the next time I change my rear diff fluid. I've found nothing to speak of on the oil plug - keep it in as something I can observe to watch the bike's health. Serve a purpose? Makes me feel better, so yes.

[JeffP]

I was digging around the garage this spring and found a couple strong magnets about the size of a quarter each. I put them on the end of the oil filter and they sat there till I changed the oil last week. I was curious and cut open the filter to see if they had picked up any metal. Absolutely nothing so they go back in the drawer.

[wild turkey]

In the past...I normally would not have used these magnetic drain plugs on any of my 3 previous GL1800 Wings. But with this F6B I decided I would go ahead and order them, and use them. I "did" use them for the first 5 or so oil changes, then switched back to the OEM drain plugs. The magnetic drain plugs work fine...and it is nice to see "if" there are any metal particles on the magnet (never found anything worth worrying about), but the reason I changed back to the OEM drain plugs was simply because of the head of the drain plug, and being able to use a 17mm wrench on it, versus the 13mm head on the magnetic drain plug. I had also installed one at the Rear Diff drain...and eventually changed it back to the OEM plug too. After so many oil changes, and not finding any "break-in" filings or particles in the oil, I now prefer to have the larger head on the plug, to use the 17mm wrench, for a better purchase when loosening or tightening the drain plug.

I agree

[fastfred]

I always use magnetic plugs....just a bit of extra insurance

[Touringon2]

I've had one for quite a few years, and have never found any metal filings on it. It's just for peace of mind. It works for me. Be safe and enjoy the ride. Larry

[gr8phun]

I used them on the Porsche for sixteen plus years

Haven't used them on the Wing

Just curious what would you do if you found shavings

How much is just a little and and okay and how much is a lot or too much

Any one prompted to disassemble the engine because they found shavings?

[orangecrate]

They are just another reason to worry about nothing. Extra insurance?... Now that's funny.

[Yellowbird]

Got one around also just never put it on

[Green Viper]

Finally something I can speak of as a "Subject Matter Expert". As a metallurgist, I once analyzed magnetic engine plugs using an electronic microscope. Did it for more than 12 years. Most often anything found was a contaminate and came in the oil or filter. Everything else required several analyses, over a period of time, to determine if the finding was significant. Bottom line...using a magnetic plug means nothing unless you're having the plugs analyzed (regularly). There really is nothing any particles you see on your plugs can tell you. Nor does not finding any particles mean anything. I hope this info will save some of you from wasting your time. Tom

[wingrider.steve]

The final drive drain plug is in fact already a magnetic plug, fitted as standard at the factory, and it is a perfect match for the engine drain plug. I've fitted the final drive drain plugs in the engine drain on all my Wings for some years .

[lyle doverspike]

The final drive drain plug is in fact already a magnetic plug, fitted as standard at the factory, and it is a perfect match for the engine drain plug. I've fitted the final drive drain plugs in the engine drain on all my Wings for some years .

I also have a final drive drain plug in place of the engine drain plug.