Newbie here; loose exhuast/cracked header & oil change, help requested
 

Hello!
Last week, I was hit by a car backing into his driveway, but luckily no one was injured and the driver completely acknowledged his fault and promises to pay for any damages. However, I have not had the time to take my bike to a dealer because I am in the middle of finals week (I'm a student) and the closest dealer is around 40 miles away.

I could see no visible damage to the bike (Eliminator 125, not even scratches or dents), but when I started the engine again it sounded kind of different... a little louder and a slight "skidding" sound. Here is a link to how the bike sounds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bm_HnLuDuI

I asked some other people what they thought, and the said the exhaust or muffler might be loose or the headers might be cracked. Do you think this is the case? If so, is this a problem that requires immediate attention, or will I still be able to ride it to the dealer despite a loose exhuast/ muffler or cracked header? What are the consequences of riding with these damages?

In addition, I'm trying to figure out how to change my oil for the first time but I can't open the oil filler cap. I've tried using a large screwdriver and pliers/washers, but nothing has worked.
How can I open this?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2020/...f7b5d3.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/...36ff55.jpg?v=0


And yes, the manual explicitly states that that is the oil filler cap.


Here is the drain plug, which I haven't been able to remove with a wrench.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2322/...d799e4.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/...5df73e.jpg?v=0





Here are some pictures of the engine to maybe help you diagnose what might be wrong with the bike.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2416/...581ae3.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/...dd1ccf.jpg?v=0


Thanks for your help!

RE: Newbie here; loose exhuast/cracked header & oil change, help requested
 

Welcome to KF

I have seen exhaust systems tweeked on a fall over in which the gaskets are now not sealing. I have not seen a cracked header. Most generally a loose or misaligned exhaust.

RE: Newbie here; loose exhuast/cracked header & oil change, help requested
 

amen.. welcome to KF!!!

i'd venture to say you've got a bit of an exhaust leak. you should be able to feel the pulse leak out thru the flange if you put your hand near it.. fire it up when its cold, then immediatelyfeel for a puff before it gets too hot..lol.. that, or use a piece of paper and look for it to blow away from the flange.

having an exhaust leak isn't the very best thing for your exhaust valve.. it'll have to leak for a while to be detrimental to the seat and valve and all, but nonetheles, if the gap was big enough for water to enter, and cold (rain) water would happen to hit a hot, 1800 degree valve, well....bad things happen to stainless steel.. might be able to tighten the bolts down holding the pipe on the head. just watch your torque on em.. don't wanna pull the threads out if theres any damage to them..


as far as your filler and drain plug escapades, i'd shoot a little penetrating oil on them.. chances are the aluminum (they're both cast, with the exception being the carbon-steel drain plug) is seized up, as it the rubber o-ring on the fill plug, and the copper washer on the drain plug.

use a beast of a screwdriver.. maybe with a square shaft or hex cast into the thing somewhere to put a lil extra ass into turning the thing. i'd stay away from an impact driver though.. you might shatter the plug with it.. bad things happen with alien metal in the case!

on that drain plug, i think its probably a 14MM or something very close to that.. as long as your wrench or socket fits tight, you should be able to exert a good bit of pressure on it without fear of it stripping. it's not hollow. certain bikes had these atrocious hollow cast plugs, and they snapped the hex end off frequently, and left a perfect and permanent hole in the case.. they were an absolute joy to remove...
but yeah.. you got a steel plug bolt.. just give it a good yank or verylight rap with a hammer, then tap the wrench with a small deadblow and it should come right off.

good luck, and keep us posted!