Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

i was changing my oil on the weekend (been doing lots of kms at high rpm keeping up with bigger bikes)

got the drain plug out no problem. out came the yucky black oil.

then it came time to take out the oil filter. the bolt would not turn. went crazy trying to open it and have kind of stripped the bolt head.

now what i'm wondering is which way the bolt is meant to turn. does it turn the same way as the drain plug bolt? i was trying and trying but it just wouldn't go that way

the drain plug bolt turned just like a normal bolt... anti clockwise to undo it, and clockwise to do it up. *sigh*

Would be as a normal bolt, anti-clockwise to undo it as you look at it.
If the head of the bolt is rounded try using Vise-Grip pliers as tight as you can clamp them onto the bolt head and replace the bolt too
Only time they engineer in left hand threads into the design is if the application demands it i.e. like truck wheel nuts that spin tighter but it is rare to find left handed threads. Almost all threads are r/h threads these days.

HTH if it doesn't get back ok.

Yeah it's a plain old R/H thread (anti-clockwise to undo).

They can be a bit tricky, best to make sure you get a socket onto it (not an open-ended spanner) and if you have only *slightly* stuffed it up, you may be able to file it back into reasonable shape and have another go with a socket and have more success... Other than that, vise-grip pliers are your next option - but i've only had mixed success with those

if you have fully rounded off the bolt head, forget vice-grips.

First thing is go and order a new bolt from your local dealer. Wait until you have it before step 2.

Step 2 - Hammer and a cold chisel, with 3/8 head (ie not a big mofo)

take your time, once it starts to move after 3 or 4 short, sharp, lovetaps - then use the vicegrips to finish the job......

this method is brutal but honest - and it works . Thats the important thing.