Use a 6 point socket, if you have it. Less chance of stripping the flats.

 

Righty tighty lefty loosey

 

I was gonna say the lefty loosey thing. You have to picture facing the bolt (not looking from top of bike).

Also agdroid, use a socket, not needle nose pliers. And you need a metric socket, which are different than sae or American.

To tell the difference, look right on the socket. A fraction (like 1/2) is standard/American. DONT use this kind.

A whole number (like 14 or 17) is MM or metric. THIS IS THE ONE YOU WANT.

Grab the driver by the handle (oh yeah, attach the socket right to the handle first)

If you dont have a handle or driver, but only the socket then THIS IS YOUR PROBLEM.

You just cant get much torque on a socket alone so stop trying, and gripping it with your needle nose wont do it either. GO BORROW A DRIVER.

 

There should be a 12 mm. box end wrench in the tool kit on the bike.

 

Assuming the tool kit is still with the bike.

 

I sprayed it with some PB Buster and was able to get it out. It took more than I expected to get it moving, it was nice being able to finally use my torque wrench to put it back in. I didn't have a six point socket, the ones that I have in that side have a bunch of little points ( I don't know what else to call them). Is it worth hunting down the 6 point ones?

Edit: Guess I should have refreshed before I hit post. It's been a crazy week!

I have a full-ish set of both SAE and Metric sockets and Allen Wrenches that are helpfully color coded. Sadly the bike didn't come with the tool kit, I haven't taken the time to search for one yet. I really should though. I use to ride an Sv650 and was stranded when a battery wire came lose, the seat is bolted on for whatever reason. I didn't have any tools on me and had to call a friend with a truck for the ride of shame home. The whole Righty Tighty Lefty Loosey thing can be misunderstood at times, I always preferred 'Clockwise Closes'

On a non-oil drain related but still turning stuff question: I need to replace my throttle tube and the screws holding it together wont budge and one is already partially stripped. I want to replace those screws with bolts but I need to get them out first. I was thinking about using the PB Buster again but with the plastics, controls, and cables all right there and my general lack of knowledge of what will or won't mess things up I'm hesitant. Am I being overly cautious or is there another avenue I haven't considered?