I did wonder if the gear box oil could be drained without removing the exhaust so you have confirmed that it can be. I guess it would be best to do it cold and leave it to drain a bit more overnight as it would be problematic with a hot exhaust. I filled the FD with approx 180cc until it trickled out as there was literally little oil in there. I was amazed it kept going. The only indication was a slightly annoying whine …no noise now though. Thank you for the advice Mike_H.
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oil is so cheap it is worth changing more frequently than 18000 miles. For some bikers that can be several years worth, as it also allows you to monitor things/ check for shiny bits etc. 160ml will hardly make a dent in a bottle and cheaper than a rebuild. At service time, I just change all the oils and be done with it as it only take a “minute” once you get going.
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The open ended spanner certainly worked with the gear oil draining. So no need to remove the exhaust. However today I discovered the “crowfoot” spanner after looking at a video of a Japanese lad doing the bizz on his V9 gear oil so I’ve ordered one from Amazon. This will facilitate no burning hands on a hot exhaust when draining hot gear oil. Every day you learn something new….
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Made me smile Larry catching your reply re the crow’s foot spanner! I am a lifelong tool junkie and the other day rifling through my tool boxes made me realise how I love those ‘one off’ specials you accumulate over time and discard at your peril?
Occasionally I come across one that baffles me until I can recall what the hell it did or I needed it for! Until you hit the wall in some job and remember “hell I got sumthin’ that does that”. Priceless.
My old man was a toolmaker to trade and maybe that has something to do with my resoect for quality tools.
On the larger front I was eyeballing my sets of AF wrenches and sockets and can’t remember the last time I needed them but they ain’t going away until I do! 
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Brilliant Phil.
All I need in life are tools, a shed and moto guzzis of course 
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I used to have AF and Whitworth spanners too, can’t remember where they are now or the last time i needed them
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