The first time I changed the oil in my 400EX after installing a DG skid plate, I made a real mess of it. Oil coming out from the drain plug on the side of the case ran onto the skid plate, between the plate and the bottom of the engine, and was a pain to clean up. This time I got a little smarter. I propped the bike up on the right side so it was leaning towards the drain plug about 30 deg. Then I used a piece of heavy duty construction paper ( poster board ) to funnel the oil towards the drain pan and away from the frame and plate. No mess and it's alot better than taking off the skid plate just to cange the oil.


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TRXter

400EX

 

Thanks for the tip, will keep in mind when i eventually get mine. like to see more tips on care and maintanance of the 400EX, maybe even make a whole new thread titled 400EX tips or something. tips on care and maintenance on any machine would be beneficial for everyone.

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I had the exact same problem with the DG skid plate on my 400. My solution was to get out the Dremel and cut away the small triangular area of the skid plate beneath the crankcase drain plug - making sure not to cut the frame of course. This doesn't really compromise any of the protection but does allow the oil to drain nicely. DG really should have taken that into consideration when designing the plate.

Regards,

Dennis

 

I also have the DG skidplate and found oil changes to be a mess. Thanks for the tips guys.

I have a question for other owners of the DG skidplate for the 400ex:

The brackets that hook over the frame don't line up very well. This causes the Allen screws to be at a slight angle and not exactly flush with the bottom of the skid plate. Is this a problem that you other guys have or did I perhaps get a lemon?

 

As far as the bolts sticking out, mine does it too. I think that whole attatchment set up is kinda on the cheesy side. Did you guys use lock tight on the bolts? If you didn't, you may end up back at camp without your plate.

Speaking of bolts, you know how many you've lost since you got your bike? Well I've gotten pretty paronoid and have been tweaking everything down pretty hard. It was working fine until I went to change my oil filter yesterday. Can you see where this is going? When I put the cover back on and was tightening everything up, I got a little carried away and broke one of the bolts off. Now I have to take it in and get the hole tapped and rethreaded. This is not only a hassle, it's embarrassing. What a rocket scientist! I'm going to get a torque wrench and use lock tight from now on.

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TRXter

400EX



[This message has been edited by TRXter (edited 07-20-1999).]

 

The other thing I failed to mention is that I had to modify the front bumper so that the skid plate would fit. I had to cut about 2-3 inches of the plate section off the bottom.

How did you other guys make it work, just wondering. Thanks

 

bshiels, I had to cut mine to make it fit too. I just marked it with a pencil, cut it with an electric jig saw with a metal cutting blade, and filed off the burrs.

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TRXter

400EX

 

I had the dealer install my DG Skid on my 400EX. Knowing my luck it would have been hell. Now i know. It took my dealer 5 min, everything lines up, and no cutting. I guess im really lucky.

~~Mike
'99 400EX~Works triple rate front shox, fmf, nerfs, renthal bars, K&N Power kit, etc...