Crankcase breather removal.

[Mr Gazza]

Two questions;

1) Is the standard M series crankcase breather made of metal or plastic?

2) Does it require a special tool to remove it?

I imagine it needs something like a box spanner due to the close proximity of the cylinder fins.

I have not tried to remove it myself, but I asked Carl Harrison (renouned local Ducati Specialist) to take it off for a clean when I had the valves done last Winter.
He said that he tried, but daren't heave on it enough to move it as it was so "FT"

I am hoping that if I persuade it enough with the right tool with a hot engine that I can get it to budge. But if it is made of plastic, I am concerned that it will break and leave the threaded part in the engine,or worse, drop broken bits into the cases.

Any tips greatly recieved....Thanks.