Is there a trick to removing the oil pan from a 32 year old bike?

I just took my oil pan off the other day off my zn700a
and it had 17 bolts in it ..You just need a little 2x4
and the hammer to beat it off..Hitting all sides and corners
and it should pop right off..Good luck!

I still want to know if the filter is in it. Well? just trying to help.

I pulled the pan on my 550 today, was afraid a big chunk of valve cover gasket got into the bottom end. Sure enough it did, I also discovered the drain plug threads are complete done on the top 3/4, theres 2" long rubber strands like RTV silicon collected on the oil pump screen, and enough metal debris to make you want to cry from the thread issue. Really, Really glad I looked now

If you have an idea of where the bolt fell into the engine you might be able use one of those extendable magnets to fish around for the bolt. But, like it's been already said if you got the engine torn apart you might as well pull the engine so you can get at the oil pan easier. You'd be suprised at all the stuff you find in the bottom of an oil pan after 30+ years of use.

Sorry - yes, the oil filter has been taken out. I did see that it threaded into the crankcase so that's been ruled out.

As far as coming off easy, that was not my experience, but it may be yours. I recall beating the shit out of it so hard I thought the pan would break for almost an hour before it came off. I was beginning to think it was welded on.

It's a PIA. 2x4 and a BFH is the only way I got mine off. I took the top end off and thought I lost one of the idler shaft blocks in the motor. After tearing it apart I couldn't find it.

Turns out it fell out on the floor and I had picked it up without knowing it and placed it on the bench with the other ones (I replaced them all).

The gasket was a pain to remove as well. If I had to do it again I would take the motor out of the bike.

1979 KZ650